Abstract:
A device and method, for use with a striker bar to secure an object to an adjacent structure, the device operable from each side of the object. The device includes a latching member and a locking member. The latching member and the locking member are adapted for at least indirect mounting on the structure. The latching member has a leading edge cam and a grapple for engaging the striker bar to establish a latched state. The locking member has a closure portion and both pivots with and slides to engage with the latching mechanism. The members together include a multipart locking assembly operable alone or in combination with a separate lock device. The members secure the striker bar to the device when the members are locked together, thereby securing the object to the structure for establishment of a locked state.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/626,310, filed Sep. 23, 2011, by the present inventors. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     None. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This application relates to a gate securing device fully controllable from each gate side and method therefor and more specifically, to a securing device and method for a gate or other similar object that provides for locking with a single lock, unlocking, latching, and unlatching from each side of the gate or object. 
     2. Prior Art 
     In general, gates are installed to provide closure of a passage way which dictates the requirement for a device for securing the gate in a closed position. Most gate securing devices have mechanisms for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking the gate in a closed position. Numerous gate securing devices have been designed and marketed that provide, in part, various degrees of latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking capabilities. Some gate securing devices are designed to only latch and unlatch a gate in which some of these can be controlled from each side of the gate. While other gate securing devices provide various degrees of latching, unlatching in combination with locking and unlocking, their parameters of operator control are limited. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,261 issued Oct. 29, 2002 to Thomas E. Messler discloses a latching apparatus in which a first connecting member is attached to a first attachment structure and a latching member is pivotally attached to a second connecting member and a second attachment structure. Insertion of securing mechanisms into a strategically position securing apertures prohibits disengagement and travel of a structure secured by the improved latching apparatus. Removal of either one of two said securing mechanisms from either side of a previously secured structure facilitates disengagement and travel of said previously secured structure. While this latching apparatus provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) the latch requires two locks, one on both sides of the gate, in order to secure the gate, (2) when the gate is secured, if operator wants to pass through the gate and re-secure the gate on the opposite side, a four step process is required to unsecure and then re-secure the gate, namely, (a) remove a near side lock and pass through gate, (b) remove a farside lock, (c) replace the nearside lock and close the gate and (d) replace the farside lock, (3) by simply unscrewing the fastening means, the latching apparatus can be disassembled while locked thus defeating the locked condition and (4) if the first connecting member of the gate latch has to be on a certain side of either a left or right hand gate then the latching apparatus may have to be disassembled, the second connecting member reversed and the latching apparatus reassembled. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,203 issued Oct. 3, 1989 to Gerald H. Rogers discloses a reversible mount gate latch with manual latch locking with includes a pivot latch member pivotally mounted on a latch mounting back plate mountable on a fence post or the middle end of the other half of a double gate with the pivot latch member and the back plate symmetrical for turn over mounting adaption to left hand opening and right hand opening gate sections. The striker bar receiving opening in the pivot latch member has a rear edge recessed back from the rear end of the striker bar receiving opening in the latch mounting back plate. The back plate has upper and lower striker bar entrance guide ramps and the pivot latch member has two entrance lifting ramps only one in use depending on right or left gate mounting by entrance of the striker bar. Pivot screw mounting thereof is limited by a limit screw engaging an end of an arcuate slot therein. A latched state manual lock structure is also provided with a “V” opening in a rear extension of the backing plate and a locking pin positioned along a slot in the pivot latch member moveable into and out of locking position in the “V” opening. While this gate latch provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) since the lock securing this gate latch cannot be made available to both sides of a gate, it limits the operator to unlock the gate only from its locked, side (2) the locking means on the gate latch opposite that of the striker bar side can be easily defeated by moving the locking pin to an unlocked position and (3) by simply unscrewing the pivot screw, the gate latch can be disassembled while locked thus defeating the locked condition. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,854 issued Dec. 19, 1989 to Paul J. Bulten discloses a gate support latch structure for use with either right-handed or left-handed gates. The latch includes a symmetrical main frame and keeper. The main frame has a striker receiving opening with two opposite cam surfaces flaring outwardly into a “Vee”. A retainer stub is fixed to the main frame at a mid location at the inner end of the opening. A substantially flat keeper having a longitudinal axis has two opposite symmetrical striker receiving notches positioned at one end. The other end is pivotally connected at only one point to the main frame. The keeper may be sprung over the stub. While on one side of the retainer stub the keeper is for right handed gate and when it is on the other side it is for a left-handed gate. There are no springs and the weight of the keeper bar causes it to close over the striker. While this latching apparatus provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) since the lock securing this gate latch cannot be made available to both sides of a gate, it limits the operator to unlock the gate only from its locked side and (2) the locking means on the gate latch opposite that of the striker side can be easily defeated by moving a slip lock ring to a unlocked position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,072 issued May 29, 1984 to William E. Petty discloses a gate latch provided for a stockade type fence. The latch may be opened from either side of the gate. Provisions are made whereby a padlock may be applied to the latch on either side of the gate. Means are provided for positively captivating the latch post carried by the gate to prevent the gate from being opened by merely forcing the latch post out of its associated slot in the latch. While this gate latch provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) since the lock securing this gate latch cannot be made available to both sides of a gate, it limits the operator to unlock the gate only from its locked side, (2) it requires a significant number of parts including at least one spring, (4) it is not self latching and (5) by simply removing the fastener  112 , the gate latch can be disassembled while locked thus, defeating the locked condition. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,564 issued May 3, 1988 to Allen W. Alford discloses A double opening gate latch for single and double gates and capable of being unlocked and opened from either side thereof. First and second latch brackets are fixed to opposite ones of a gate and fence assembly or a double gate assembly, the latch brackets being positioned on opposite sides from one another. A latch bar is provided on one side of the gate assembly and is positioned for registry with a latch bracket. A pivotal latch member extends through the gate or fence assembly and includes a part that is pivotal into latching registry with the other latch bracket. The pivotal latch member is positionable in locking and unlocking relationship with the latch bar. The latch apparatus permits the gate to be unlatched from either side thereof and also permits the gate to be securely locked on either or both sides thereof. While this latching apparatus provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) the latch requires two locks, one on both sides of the gate, in order to secure the gate, (2) when the gate is secured, if operator wants to pass through the gate and remain on the opposite side, a four step process is required to unsecure and then resecure the gate, namely, (a) remove near side lock and pass through gate, (b) remove farside lock, (c) replace nearside lock and close the gate and (d) replace farside lock, (3) it requires a significant number of parts, (4) by simply removing bolts  22  or bolt and nut assembly  44 , the gate latch can be disassembled while locked thus defeating the locked condition and (5) it is not self latching. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,898,953 issued May 31, 2005 to Benjamin J. Paprocki, Mark J. Knudson, and David M. Raschka discloses a locking gate latch includes a latch assembly and a striker bar. The striker bar is attached to a gate frame and the latch assembly is attached to a gate post. The latch assembly includes a latch frame, a lock latch, a locking plate and a locking tongue. The lock latch is pivotally retained by one leg of the latch frame. The locking plate is pivotally retained by the other leg of the latch frame. One end of the locking tongue is attached to an outside key lock and the other end is received by the locking plate. Pivoting the outside key lock to one side locks the locking gate latch. Pivoting the outside key lock to the other side unlocks the locking gate latch. A second embodiment of the gate latch further includes an inside locking assembly, which allows a gate to be locked from an inside. While this latching apparatus provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) installation requires a significant amount of modification to the gate latch mounting structure, (2) keyed lock(s) are integrated into gate latch mechanism which increases the cost, (3) gate latch mechanism is relatively complex, thereby increasing the cost and relative probability of malfunction and (3) to have a locking capability on each side of the gate, two locking mechanisms must be procured. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,030 issued Apr. 10, 2007 to E. Erik Timothy discloses a gate lock device with front and rear units to be mounted on opposite sides of a structure associated with the gate and against which the gate closes. A gravity latch, displaceably mounted in the housing of the front unit, is engageable with a keeper pin. The front and rear units are provided with key-operated locks which are operable to lock and unlock the gravity latch. The rear unit includes an axially displaceable actuator operable to unlock the gravity latch when the key-operated locks are unlocked. While this latching apparatus provides for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate, it has significant disadvantages, namely (1) installation requires thru holes to be made in the gate latch mounting structure, (2) gate latch mechanism is relatively complex, thereby increasing the cost and relative probability of malfunction and (3) to have a locking capability on each side of the gate, two locking mechanisms must be procured. 
     While these gate latches provide for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking from either side of the gate, they all heretofore known suffer from deficiencies and drawbacks. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an inexpensive, easy to install, user friendly, and reliable gate securing device which provides for (1) the ability to control gate securing functions of locking with a single lock and unlocking from both sides of a gate, (2) the ability to control gate securing functions of latching and unlatching from both sides of a gate, (3) a gate securing device in which its attachment means cannot be removed when gate is in locked condition thus impacting security, (4) installation for both left and right hand gates, (5) self latching, (6) operator supplied lock and (7) gravity biased latching. 
     SUMMARY 
     A device and method, for use with a striker bar to secure an object, such as a panel, gate, door or other similar article to an adjacent structure, being fully controllable from each side of the object is disclosed. The device includes a latching member and a locking member. The latching member and the locking member are moveable at least one to the other. The members are adapted for at least indirect mounting on at least the structure. The latching member has a leading edge cam for guiding the latching member on the striker bar and a grapple for engaging with the striker bar to establish a latched state. The members each have at least one part of a multipart locking assembly. The multipart locking assembly provides for locking the members together in unison, either collectively or collectively in combination with a separate ancillary lock device. The members, in combination, are configured for securing the striker bar to the device when the members are locked together in unison, thereby securing the object to the structure for establishment of a locked state. The device is constructed and arranged for positioning said multipart assembly on each side of the object while the device is in one of the locked state and an unlocked state. Whereby, the object can be locked with either the multipart locking assembly or the multipart locking assembly in combination with the lock device, unlocked, latched and unlatched to and from the structure while accessing each side of the object. 
     Accordingly, the present invention may have one or more of the following advantages which are:
         a. the ability to fully control gate securing functions of locking and unlocking from both sides of a gate with a single lock;   b. the ability to control gate securing functions of latching and unlatching from both sides of a gate;   c. a gate securing device which cannot be removed when gate is in a locked state thus ensuring security;   d. the capability to be installed on both left and right hand gates;   e. self latching;   f. uses only two moving parts on most embodiments   g. provision for operator supplied lock;   h. gravity biased latching;   i. inexpensive;   j. easy to install; and   k. user friendly.       

    
    
     
       FIGURES 
       A better understanding of the embodiments of the gate securing device fully controllable from each gate side may be had by reference to the figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view showing a first embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view showing the first embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view showing the first embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated counterclockwise for operator accessibility to a lock; 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view showing the first embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated clockwise for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view showing a locking member assembly of the first embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view showing a latching member of the first embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view showing a locking member of the locking member assembly of the first embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view showing handle components of the locking member assembly of the first embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 9  is a side perspective view showing an attachment bracket assembly of the first embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 10  is a side perspective view showing a second embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 11  is a side perspective view showing the second embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 12  is a side perspective view showing the second embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated counterclockwise for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 13  is a side perspective view showing the second embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated clockwise for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 14  is a side perspective view showing a latching member of the second embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 15  is a side perspective view showing a locking member assembly of the second embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 16  is a side perspective view showing a locking member of the locking member assembly of the second embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 17  is a side perspective view showing a third embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 18  is a side perspective view showing a locking member assembly of the third embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 19  is a side perspective view showing a latching member of the third embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 20  is a side perspective view showing a locking member of the locking member assembly of the third embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 21  is a side perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 22  is a side perspective view showing the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view showing the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated counterclockwise for operator accessibility to a locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 24  is a side perspective view showing the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated clockwise for operator accessibility a locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 25  is a side perspective view showing a locking member assembly of the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 26  is a side perspective view showing a latching member of the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 27  is a side perspective view showing a locking member of the locking member assembly of the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device. 
         FIG. 28  is a side perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 29  is a side perspective view showing the fifth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 30  is a side perspective view showing the fifth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated counterclockwise for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 31  is a side perspective view showing the fifth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition being rotated clockwise for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 32  is a side perspective view showing a latching member of the fifth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 33  is a side perspective view showing a locking member of the fifth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 34  is a side perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a latched condition; 
         FIG. 35  is a side perspective view showing the sixth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition; 
         FIG. 36  is a side perspective view showing the sixth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition with the lock slid to the right for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 37  is a side perspective view showing the sixth embodiment of the gate securing device installed and in a locked condition slid to the left for operator accessibility to the lock; 
         FIG. 38  is a side perspective view showing a locking member assembly of the sixth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 39  is a side perspective view showing a latching member of the sixth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 40  is a side perspective view showing the of the locking member assembly of the sixth embodiment of the gate securing device; 
         FIG. 41  is a side perspective view showing a first alternate version of lock keepers; and 
         FIG. 42  is a side perspective view showing a second alternate version of lock keepers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     This application relates to a gate, door or other similar article securing device fully controllable from each gate side and method therefor and more specifically to a gate securing device that can be latched, unlatched, locked, and unlocked from each side of the object or gate. 
     First Embodiment 
     FIG.  1 , FIG.  2 , FIG.  3 , FIG.  4 , FIG.  5 , FIG.  6 , FIG.  7 , FIG.  8  and FIG.  9   
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the gate securing device is shown.  FIG. 1  is the side perspective view showing a first embodiment of the gate securing device installed on a gate post  602  for use with a right hand gate and in a latched condition with a striker bar  600 . The first embodiment includes a locking member assembly  100 , a latching member  102  and an attachment bracket assembly  500 . The locking member assembly  100  includes a locking member  104 , a handle bracket  116 , a handle bracket attachment plate  114 , a locking handle  180 , a handle attachment screw  112  and handle bracket attachment plate  114  screws  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  118 ,  120  and  122 . 
     The locking member  104  has a left hand handle bracket  116  opening  156  and a right hand handle bracket  116  opening  170 . Also, the locking member  104  has a left striker bar  600  open space  148  and a right striker bar  600  open space  178 . Furthermore, the locking member  104  has a left hand grapple  154  and a right hand grapple  172 . The left hand grapple  154  and the right hand grapple  172  provide an entrance in to open space  148  and  178 , respectively. 
     The handle bracket attachment plate  114  includes holes  192  and  194  for attachment to the handle bracket  116 , holes  188 ,  190 ,  196  and  198  for attachment to the locking member  104 . The handle bracket  116  includes a threaded hole  184  and a threaded hole  186  for attachment to the handle bracket attachment plate  114  and a threaded hole  182  for attachment of the locking handle  180 . 
     The handle bracket attachment plate  114  is attached to the handle bracket  116  by placing the screw  110  through hole  192 , threading it into hole  184 , placing the screw  118  through hole  194 , threading it into hole  186 . The locking handle  180  is attached to the handle bracket  116  by inserting the handle attachment screw  112  through the locking handle  180  and threading through hole  182 . The locking member  104  includes threaded holes  150 ,  152 ,  158 ,  160 ,  166 ,  168 ,  174  and  176  for attachment of the handle bracket attachment plate  114 . The gate securing device is designed for use with both right hand and left hand gates. If the gate securing device is used with a right hand gate then the handle bracket attachment plate  114  is attached on the left hand side of the locking member  104  using both the holes  188 ,  190 ,  196 ,  198 ,  150 ,  152 ,  158  and  160  and the screws  106 ,  108 ,  120  and  122 . If the gate securing device is used with a left hand gate then the handle bracket attachment plate  114  is attached on the right hand side of the locking member  104  using both the holes  188 ,  190 ,  196 ,  198 ,  166 ,  168 ,  174  and  176  and the screws  106 ,  108 ,  120  and  122 . When attaching the handle bracket attachment plate  114  to the locking member  104 , the handle bracket  116  is inserted in the opening  156  or the opening  170  depending on whether the gate securing device is used with a left hand or right hand gate. The locking member  104  has a pivot hole  146  for attachment to the attachment bracket assembly  500 . Also, the locking member  104  has a locking tab  162 . The locking tab  162  has a lock aperture or keeper  164  for receiving a hasp of a lock  604 . 
     The latching member  102  has a pivot hole  124  for attachment to attachment bracket assembly  500 , a left handle  132 , a right handle  138 , a left striker bar  600  ramp or cam  128  and a right striker bar  600  ramp or cam  142 . The latching member  102  also includes a lock tab  136 . The lock tab  136  has a lock aperture or keeper  134  for receiving a hasp of the lock  604 . The left handle  132  has a left locking tab  130 . The right handle  138  has a right locking tab  140 . The locking tabs  130  and  140  are used to provide alignment of the lock keeper  134  with the lock keeper  164  for insertion of the hasp of the lock  604 . Additionally, the latching member  102  has a left hand grapple  127 , a right hand grapple  143 , a left striker bar  600  open space  126  and a right striker bar  600  open space  144 . The right hand grapple  143  and the right striker bar  600  open space  144  are used for a right hand gate. The left hand grapple  127  and the left striker bar  600  open space  126  are used for a left hand gate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a side perspective view showing an attachment bracket assembly of the first embodiment of the gate securing device is shown. The attachment bracket assembly  500  includes an attachment bracket  502  and a pivot fastener  514 . The attachment bracket  502  includes an upper stop tab  506 , a lower stop tab  508 , an upper attachment slot  510 , a lower attachment slot  512  and an attachment hole  504 . The upper attachment slot  510  and the lower slot  512  are used for attachment with fasteners (not shown) to the gate post  602 . The slots  510  and  512  are used for the attachment bracket  502  adjustment on the gate post  602 . The upper stop tab  506  and lower stop tab  508  are used for alignment of the attachment bracket  502  to the side of the gate post  602 . The locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  are attached to the attachment bracket  502  by inserting the pivot fastener  514  through the pivot holes  146  and  124 , respectively with final securement, either removably or permanently, in attachment hole  504 . 
     For security enhancement, note the overlap of the right hand grapples  143  and  172  (the left hand grapples  127  and  154  when used with a left hand gate) when the latching member  102  is locked to the locking member assembly  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 . 
     Alternately and as a minimum, the first embodiment can include only the latching member  102  and the locking member  104  with a user supplied bolt/screw for attachment directly to the gate post  602  via holes  146  and  124 . 
     For the purpose of this application, a gate is defined herein to include any vertically pivoted structure used for closure to a passage way for humans and/or animals, such as gates, doors, windows and the like. For the purpose of the first embodiment and all subsequent embodiments, the device applicable to the embodiment can be attached to either the gate post  602  or the gate and the striker bar  600  attached on the other of the gate post  602  and the gate. 
     Operation of the First Embodiment— FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4   
       FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show an example of the operation of the first embodiment applicable to a right hand gate. The operation of the gate securing device includes two sub-operations, namely a latching operation and a locking operation. To perform the latching operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is open and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. Upon closing the gate, the striker bar  600  interacts with cam  142  causing the latching member  102  to rotate clockwise (if a left hand gate is used, cam  128  has the same function as cam  142  but causes the latching member  102  to rotate counterclockwise). Then the striker bar  600  enters the right striker bar  600  opening  170  ending in the right striker bar  600  space  144  as a result of the latching member  102  rotating counterclockwise due to its inherent gravity bias (if a left hand gate is used, space  126  has the same function as space  144 ). The striker bar  600  is now secured by the right grapple  143  and thereby, resulting in the gate being in a latched state. To open the gate, it may be unlatched by applying a downward force to the right handle  138  causing the latching member  102  to rotate clockwise. The downward force is applied until the right grapple  143  is below the striker bar  600 . At this point the gate is unlatched and can be opened. 
     If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is latched in the same operation as previously stated except to open the gate, the left handle  132  is moved upward until the right grapple  143  is below the striker bar  600 . 
     To perform the locking operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is latched and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. To lock the gate, the right handle  138  is moved upward until the left locking tab  130  engages the handle bracket  116  at which point the lock keepers  164  and  134  are aligned. The right handle  138  is moved further upward until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  144 . At this point the locking tabs  136  and  162  are at the maximum outward position away from the gate and closest to the operator. Now that the lock keepers  164  and  134  are aligned, the operator simply inserts the hasp of the lock  604  through lock keepers  164  and  134  to lock the gate. Upon release, the gravity bias returns the latching member  102  and the locking member assembly  100  to the point in which the lock  604  is in a full downward position. 
     When lock keepers  164  and  134  are locked together with lock  604 , the latching member  102  and locking member  104  are secured together, thereby securing the striker bar  600  to either the right hand grapple  143 , the right hand grapple  172  or in combination with both grapples  143  and  172 , at the location where the grapples  143  and  172  overlap each other. The striker bar  600  remains secured to the grapples  143  and  172  as the latching member  102  and locking member  104  are rotated in unison. 
     If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is locked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the locking handle  180  upwardly until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  178 , which moves the locking tabs  162  and  136  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply locks the gate as described previously. 
     To unlock the gate, the right handle  138  is moved upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks and removes the lock  604  and then releases the latching member  102  and the locking member assembly  100  where the gravity bias returns the latching member  102  and the locking member assembly  100  to their neutral balance position in a latched state. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is unlocked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the locking handle  180  upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks the gate as described previously. 
     If a left hand gate is used, open spaces  148  and  126  have the same function as open spaces  178  and  144 , respectively, when used as a right hand gate. Also, the left hand grapples  127  and  154  have the same function as the right hand grapples  143  and  172 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     FIG.  9 , FIG.  10 , FIG.  11 , FIG.  12 , FIG.  13 , FIG.  14 , FIG.  15  and FIG.  16   
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , a second embodiment of the gate securing device is shown.  FIG. 10  is a side perspective view showing a second embodiment of the gate securing device installed on the gate post  602  for use with a right hand gate and in a latched condition with striker bar  600 . The second embodiment includes a locking member assembly  200 , a latching member  202  and the attachment bracket assembly  500 . 
     The locking member assembly  200  includes a locking member  234 , a left locking handle  246 , a right locking handle  252 , a handle attachment screw  236  and a handle attachment screw  238 . 
     The locking member  234  includes a threaded hole  244  and a threaded hole  260  for attachment of the locking handles  246  and  252 , respectively. The locking handles  246  and  252  are attached to the locking member  234  by inserting the handle attachment screws  236  and  238  through the locking handles  246  and  252 , respectively and threading through holes  244  and  260 , respectively. The locking member  234  has a slot  258 . Also, the locking member  234  has a locking tab  250 . The locking tab  250  has a lock aperture or keeper  248  for receiving the hasp of the lock  604 . In addition, the locking member  234  has a left hand grapple  242 , a right hand grapple  254 , a left striker bar open space  240  and a right striker bar open space  256 . 
     The latching member  202  has a pivot hole  204  for attachment to attachment bracket assembly  500 , a left handle  214 , a right handle  224 , a left striker bar ramp or leading edge cam  208  and a right striker bar ramp or leading edge cam  230 . The latching member  202  also includes a lock tab  220 . The lock tab  220  has a lock aperture or keeper  218  for receiving the hasp of the lock  604 . The left handle  214  has a left locking handle notch  216 . The right handle  224  has a right locking handle notch  222 . The notches  216  and  222  are used to receive the locking handles  246  and  252 , respectively, and thereby providing alignment of the lock keeper  248  with the lock keeper  218 . Additionally, the latching member  202  has a left hand grapple  212 , a right hand grapple  226 , a left striker bar open space  206  and a right striker bar open space  232 . The left hand grapple  212  and the right hand grapple  226  are used to secure the striker bar  600 . The locking member assembly  200  and the latching member  202  are attached to the attachment bracket  502  by inserting the pivot fastener  514  through the pivot hole  204  and the slot  258 , respectively with final securement in attachment hole  504 , either removable or permanently. 
     For security enhancement, note the overlap of the right hand grapples  226  and  254  (and the left hand grapples  212  and  242  when used with a left hand gate) when the latching member  202  is locked to locking member assembly  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 . 
     Alternately and as a minimum, the second embodiment can include only the latching member  202  and the locking member  234  with a user supplied bolt/screw for attachment directly to the gate post  602  via hole  204  and slot  258 . 
     Operation of the Second Embodiment— FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13   
       FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  show an example of the operation of the second embodiment applicable to a right hand gate. The operation of the gate securing device includes two sub-operations, namely a latching operation and a locking operation. To perform the latching operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is open and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. Upon closing the gate, the striker bar  600  interacts with leading edge cam  230 , causing the latching member  202  to rotate counterclockwise (if a left hand gate is used, leading edge cam  208  has the same function as leading edge cam  230  but causes the latching member  202  to rotate clockwise), and then enters in the right striker bar  600  open space  232  as a result of the latching member  202  rotating clockwise due to its inherent gravity bias. The striker bar  600  is now secured by a first grapple  226  and thereby, resulting in the gate being in a latched position. To open the gate, it is unlatched by applying an upward force to the right handle  224  causing the latching member  202  to rotate counterclockwise. The upward force is applied until the right grapple  226  is above the striker bar  600 . At this point the gate is unlatched and can be opened. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is latched in the same operation as previously stated except to open the gate, the left handle  214  is moved downward until the right grapple  226  is above the striker bar  600 . 
     To perform the locking operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is latched and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. To lock the gate, the right locking handle  252  is moved upward until the right locking handle  252  contacts the right locking handle notch  222 . At this point the lock keeper  248  is aligned and adjacent to lock keeper  218 . The operator then moves the right locking handle  252  upwardly until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  232 . At this point locking tabs  220  and  250  are at the maximum outward position away from the gate and closest to the operator and together (with or without lock  604 ) form a multipart locking assembly. Since the lock keepers  218  and  248  are aligned and adjacent to each other, the operator simply inserts the hasp of the lock  604  through lock keepers  218  and  248  to lock the gate. Upon release, the gravity bias returns the latching member  202  and locking member assembly  200  to the point in which the lock  604  is in a full downward position. 
     If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is locked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the locking handle  246  upwardly contacting the left locking handle notch  216  until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  232 , which moves the locking tabs  220  and  250  away from the gate and closest to the operator at which point the operator simply locks the gate as described previously. 
     When lock keepers  218  and  248  are locked together with lock  604 , the latching member  202  and locking member  234  are secured together, thereby securing the striker bar  600  to either the right hand first grapple  226 , the right hand second grapple  254  or in combination with both grapples  226  and  254 , at the location where the grapples  226  and  254  overlap each other. The striker bar  600  remains secured to the grapples  226  and  254  as the latching member  202  and locking member  234  are rotated in unison. 
     To unlock the gate, the right locking handle  252  is moved upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks and removes the lock  604  then releases the latching member  202  and locking member assembly  200  where the gravity bias returns the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  to their neutral balance position in a latched state. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is unlocked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the locking handle  246  upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks the gate as described previously. 
     If a left hand gate is used, open spaces  206  and  240  have the same function as open spaces  232  and  256 , respectively, when used as a right hand gate. Also, the left hand grapples  212  and  242  have the same function as the right hand grapples  226  and  254 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     FIG.  9 , FIG.  17 , FIG.  18 , FIG.  19  and FIG.  20   
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , a third embodiment of the gate securing device is shown.  FIG. 17  is a side perspective view showing a third embodiment of the gate securing device installed on the gate post  602  for use with a right hand gate and in a latched condition with striker bar  600 . The third embodiment includes a locking member assembly  300 , a latching member  302  and the attachment bracket assembly  500 . The locking member assembly  300  includes a locking member  304 , a locking handle  336  and a handle attachment screw  306 . 
     The locking member  304  has a left hand grapple  332  and a right hand grapple  344 . Also, the locking member  304  has a left striker bar  600  open space  326  and a right striker bar  600  open space  350 . Furthermore, the locking member  304  includes a threaded hole  334  and a threaded hole  342  for attachment of the locking handle  336 . The locking handle  336  is attached to the locking member  304  by inserting the handle attachment screw  306  through the locking handle  336  and threading through applicable threaded holes  334  or  342  depending on use with a right hand or left hand gate. For use with a right hand gate, the locking handle  336  is attached by the handle attachment screw  306  through threaded hole  334 . The locking member  304  has a pivot hole  352  for attachment to the attachment bracket assembly  500 . Also, the locking member  304  has a locking tab  340 . The locking tab  340  has a lock aperture or keeper  338  for use in the attachment of the hasp of the lock  604 . In addition, the locking member  304  has a left striker bar  600  exit ramp or cam  328 , a right striker bar  600  exit ramp or cam  348 , a left striker bar  600  entrance ramp or cam  330  and a right striker bar  600  entrance ramp or cam  346 . 
     The latching member  302  has a pivot hole  308  for attachment to attachment bracket  502 , a left handle  314 , a right handle  320 , a left striker bar  600  ramp or cam  312  and a right striker bar  600  ramp or cam  322 . The latching member  302  also includes a lock tab  318 . The lock tab  318  has a lock aperture or keeper  316 . Additionally, the latching member  302  has a left hand grapple  311 , a right hand grapple  325 , a left striker bar  600  open space  310  and a right striker bar  600  open space  324 . 
     The locking member assembly  300  and the latching member  302  are attached to the attachment bracket  502  by inserting the pivot fastener  514  through the pivot holes  308  and  352 , respectively with final securement in attachment hole  504 , either removable or permanently. 
     For security enhancement, note the overlap of the right hand grapples  325  and  344  (and the left hand grapples  311  and  332  when used with a left hand gate) when the latching member  302  is locked to locking member assembly  300 , similar to that as shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 . 
     Alternately and as a minimum, the third embodiment can include only the latching member  302  and the locking member  304  with a user supplied bolt/screw for attachment directly to the gate post  602  via holes  308  and  352 . 
     Operation of the Third Embodiment— FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4   
       FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show an example of the operation of the third embodiment applicable to a right hand gate. The operation of the gate securing device includes two sub-operations, namely a latching operation and a locking operation. To perform the latching operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is open and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. Upon closing the gate, the striker bar  600  interacts with cams  346  and  322  causing the locking member assembly  300  to rotate counterclockwise and the latching member  302  to rotate clockwise (if a left hand gate is used, cams  330  and  312  have the same function as cams  346  and  322 , respectively but cause the locking member assembly  300  to rotate clockwise and latching member  302  to rotate counterclockwise). Then the striker bar  600  enters the open spaces  324  and  350  as a result of the locking member assembly  300  rotating clockwise and the latching member  302  rotating counterclockwise due to their inherent gravity bias. The striker bar  600  is now secured by the grapple  325  and thereby, resulting in the gate being in a latched state. 
     To open the gate, it is unlatched by applying a downward force to the right handle  320  causing the latching member  302  to rotate clockwise. The downward force is applied until the right grapple  325  is below the striker bar  600 . At this point the gate is unlatched and can be opened. When the striker bar  600  interacts with the right striker bar  600  exit cam  348 , the locking member assembly  300  rotates counterclockwise so that the striker bar  600  can exit (if a left hand gate is used, exit cam  328  has the same function as exit cam  348  but causes the locking member assembly  300  to rotate clockwise). 
     If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is latched in the same operation as previously stated except to open the gate, the left handle  314  is moved upwardly until the right grapple  325  is below the striker bar  600 . 
     To perform the locking operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is latched and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. To lock the gate, the right handle  320  is moved upward until the left handle  314  contacts the locking handle  336  at which point the lock keepers  316  and  338  are aligned. The right handle  320  is moved further upward until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  324 . At this point the locking tabs  318  and  340  are at the maximum outward position away from the gate and closest to the operator. Now that the lock keepers  316  and  338  are aligned, the operator simply inserts the hasp of the lock  604  through lock keepers  316  and  338  to lock the gate. Upon release, the gravity bias returns the latching member  302  and locking member assembly  300  to their neutral position in a locked state. 
     If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is locked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the locking handle  336  upwardly until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  350 , which moves the locking tabs  318  and  340  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply locks the gate as described previously. 
     When lock keepers  316  and  338  are locked together with lock  604 , the latching member  302  and locking member  304  are secured together, thereby securing the striker bar  600  to either the right hand grapple  325 , the right hand grapple  344  or in combination with both grapples  325  and  344 , at the location where the grapples  325  and  344  overlap each other. The striker bar  600  remains secured to the grapples  325  and  344  as the latching member  302  and locking member  304  are rotated in unison. 
     To unlock the gate, the right handle  320  is moved upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks and removes the lock  604  then releases latching member  302  and locking member assembly  300  where the gravity bias returns the latching member  302  and locking member assembly  300  to their neutral position in a latched state. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is unlocked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the locking handle  336  upwardly moving the locking tabs  318  and  340  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks the gate as described previously. 
     If a left hand gate is used, open spaces  310  and  326  have the same function as open spaces  324  and  350 , respectively, when used as a right hand gate. Also, the left hand grapples  311  and  332  have the same function as the right hand grapples  325  and  344 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     FIG.  9 , FIG.  21 , FIG.  22 , FIG.  23 , FIG.  24 , FIG.  25 , FIG.  26  and FIG.  27   
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , a fourth embodiment of the gate securing device is shown.  FIG. 21  is a side perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the gate securing device installed on the gate post  602  for use with a right hand gate and in a latched condition with striker bar  600 . 
     The fourth embodiment includes a locking member assembly  400 , the same latching member  302  as the third embodiment, a locking mechanism assembly  454  and the attachment bracket assembly  500 . The locking member assembly  400  is essentially the same as the locking member assembly  300  with one exception, namely a locking tab  440 , which integrates a male portion  454 M of the locking mechanism assembly  454 . The female portion of the locking mechanism assembly  454  is a keeper  454 F in the latching member  302 . Therefore, other than these exceptions, the  400  series reference numbers applicable to the locking member assembly  400  of the fourth embodiment are the same as the corresponding  300  series reference numbers applicable to the locking member assembly  300  of the third embodiment (i.e.  430  is the same as  330 ). Additionally, other than these exceptions, the  400  series reference numbers applicable to the locking member assembly  400  of the fourth embodiment are the same as the function  300  series. 
     Since the locking member assembly  400  is the same as the locking member assembly  300  with an exception, only the exception will be described, herein, with further explanation being provided in the third embodiment. Also, since the fourth embodiment uses the same latching member  302  applicable to the third, further explanation can be obtained by reference to that description provided in the third embodiment. 
     The following provides a description of the exception applicable to the locking member assembly  400 . The locking member  404  has the locking tab  440  which integrates the male portion  454 M of the locking mechanism assembly  454 . The male portion  454 M has an extendable locking pin  438 . The remaining portion of the locking mechanism assembly  454  includes the keeper  454 F in the latching member  302 . 
     Alternately and as a minimum, the fourth embodiment can include only the latching member  302  and the locking member  404  with male portion  454 M with a user supplied bolt/screw for attachment directly to the gate post  602  via holes  308  and  452 . 
     Operation of the Fourth Embodiment— FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22 ,  FIG. 23  and  FIG. 24   
       FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22 ,  FIG. 23  and  FIG. 24  show an example of the operation of the fourth embodiment applicable to a right hand gate. The operation of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment with one exception. The exception being that the locking mechanism assembly  454  is used to lock the latching member  302  to the locking member assembly  400  in unison instead of the lock  604 , used in the third embodiment. To lock the locking mechanism assembly  454 , the locking tabs  318  and  440  are aligned in the same manner as described in the third embodiment. With this accomplished, the extendable locking pin  438  is engaged with the keeper  454 F by activating the male portion  454 . 
     To unlock the gate, the same operation as the third embodiment is used to bring the locking mechanism assembly  454  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks the locking mechanism assembly  454  and the latching member  302  and locking member assembly  400  should return in a latched state. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     FIG.  9 , FIG.  28 , FIG.  29 , FIG.  30 , FIG.  31 , FIG.  32  and FIG.  33   
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , a fifth embodiment of the gate securing device is shown.  FIG. 28  is a side perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of the gate securing device installed on the gate post  602  for use with a right hand gate and in a latched condition with the striker bar  600 . The fifth embodiment includes a locking member  734 , a latching member  702  and the attachment bracket assembly  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 33 , the locking member  734  includes a locking handle  752 , a pivot hole  758  and a locking tab  750 . The locking tab  750  has a lock aperture or keeper  748  for receiving the hasp of the lock  604 . In addition, the locking member  734  has a grapple  754  and a striker bar  600  open space  756 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 32 , the latching member  702  includes a pivot hole  704  for attachment to attachment bracket assembly  500 , a left handle  714 , a right handle  724  and a striker bar  600  ramp or cam  730 . The right handle  724  has a handle notch  722 . The latching member  702  also includes a lock tab  720 . The lock tab  720  has a lock aperture or keeper  718  for receiving the hasp of the lock  604 . The latching member  702  has a grapple  726  and a striker bar  600  open space  732 . The grapple  726  is used to secure the striker bar  600  in a latched state. 
     The locking member  734  and the latching member  702  are attached to the attachment bracket  502  by inserting the pivot fastener  514  through the pivot hole  758  and pivot hole  704 , respectively with final securement in attachment hole  504 . Since latching member  702  and locking member  734  are not mirrored about a vertical line passing through holes  704  and  758 , respectively, as are the latching and locking members in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, the latching member  704  and locking member  734  cannot be permanently attached to attachment bracket  500  with pivot fastener  514  because latching member  704  and locking member  734  have to be reversed on bracket  500  for compatibility with left and right hand gates. 
     For security enhancement, note the overlap of the grapples  726  and  754  when the latching member  702  is locked to locking member  734 , as shown in  FIGS. 29 ,  30  and  31 . 
     Alternately and as a minimum, the fifth embodiment can include only the latching member  702  and the locking member  734  with a user supplied bolt/screw for attachment directly to the gate post  602  via holes  704  and  758 . 
     Operation of the Fifth Embodiment— FIG. 28 ,  FIG. 29 ,  FIG. 30  and  FIG. 31   
       FIG. 28 ,  FIG. 29 ,  FIG. 30  and  FIG. 31  show an example of the operation of the fifth embodiment applicable to a right hand gate. The operation of the gate securing device includes two sub-operations, namely a latching operation and a locking operation. To perform the latching operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is open and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. Upon closing the gate, the striker bar  600  interacts with cam  730 , causing the latching member  702  to rotate counterclockwise, and enter the striker bar  600  open space  732  as a result of the latching member  702  rotating clockwise due to its inherent gravity bias. The striker bar  600  is now secured by grapple  726  and thereby, resulting in the gate being in a latched position. To open the gate, it is unlatched by applying an upward force to the right handle  724  possibly using the handle notch  722  causing the latching member  702  to rotate counterclockwise. The upward force is applied until the grapple  726  is above the striker bar  600 . At this point, the gate is unlatched and can be opened. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is latched in the same operation as previously stated except to open the gate, the left handle  714  is moved downward until the grapple  726  is above the striker bar  600 . 
     To perform the locking operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is latched and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. To lock the gate the locking handle  752  is moved upward until the locking tab  750  contacts the locking tab  720 . At this point, the lock keeper  748  is aligned and adjacent to lock keeper  718 . The operator then moves the locking handle  752  upwardly until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  756 . At this point, locking tabs  720  and  750  are at the maximum outward position away from the gate and closest to the operator. Since the lock keepers  718  and  748  are aligned and adjacent to each other, the operator simply inserts the hasp of the lock  604  through the lock keepers  718  and  748  to lock the gate. Upon release, the gravity bias returns the latching member  702  and locking member  734  to the point in which the lock  604  is in a full downward or neutral position. 
     If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is locked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the left handle  714  upwardly until the striker bar  600  is contacted at the termination of the open space  732 , which moves the locking tabs  720  and  750  away from the gate and closest to the operator at which point the operator simply locks the gate as described previously. 
     When lock keepers  718  and  748  are locked together with lock  604 , the latching member  702  and locking member  734  are secured together, thereby securing the striker bar  600  to either the grapple  726 , the grapple  754  or in combination with both grapples  726  and  754 , at the location where the grapples  726  and  754  overlap each other. The striker bar  600  remains secured to the grapples  726  and  754  as the latching member  702  and locking member  734  are rotated in unison. 
     To unlock the gate, the right handle  724  is moved upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks and removes the lock  604  then releases the latching member  702  and locking member  734  where the gravity bias returns the latching member  702  and the locking member  734  to their neutral balance position in a latched state. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is unlocked in the same operation as previously stated except that the operator moves the left handle  714  upwardly bringing the lock  604  away from the gate and towards the operator where the operator simply unlocks the gate as described previously. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     FIG.  34 , FIG.  35 , FIG.  36 , FIG.  37 , FIG.  38 , FIG.  39  and FIG.  40   
     Referring to  FIG. 34 , a sixth embodiment of the gate securing device is shown.  FIG. 34  is a side perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of the gate securing device installed on the gate post  602  for use with a right hand gate and in a latched condition with the striker bar  600 . The sixth embodiment includes a locking member assembly  800  and a latching member  802 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 38 , the locking member assembly  800  includes a locking member  804 , a pivot fastener  806 , a threaded latching member stop  808  and a lock shuttle  810 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 39 , the latching member  802  includes a pivot hole  812  for attachment to the locking member  804 , a stop slot  816 , a striker bar  600  upper ramp or cam  822  and a striker bar  600  lower ramp or cam  826 . The latching member  802  also includes an upper lock slot, elongated lock aperture or lock keeper  814  and a lower lock slot, elongated lock aperture or lock keeper  832  for receiving the hasp of the lock  604 . Additionally, the latching member  802  has an upper grapple  820 , a lower grapple  828 , a striker bar  600  upper open space  818  and a striker bar  600  lower open space  830 . The upper grapple  820  and the lower grapple  828  are used to secure the striker bar  600  in a latched state. The stop slot  816  establishes the latching member  802 &#39;s resting position against threaded stop  808 . Moreover, the latching member  802  has a striker bar  600  entrance opening  824  that provides an entrance for the striker bar  600  into open spaces  818  and  830 . 
     The locking member  804  has an upper striker bar  600  opening  854  and a lower striker bar  600  opening  858 . The upper striker bar  600  opening  854  and the lower striker bar  600  opening  858  provide an entrance for the striker bar  600 . Furthermore, the locking member  804  includes a pivot hole  840  and threaded holes  846  and  862 . The hole  840  is used to permanently attach the latching member  802  to the locking member  804  via pivot fastener  806  and pivot hole  812 . The threaded holes  846  and  862  are used with stop  808  and stop slot  816  to establish a resting position for the latching member  802 . The locking member  804  has slots  844  and  868  for attachment to the post  602  using corresponding slots  834  and  836  of spacer  838  with attachment fasteners not shown. The spacer  838  is used to offset the gate securing device to allow clearance for the lock  604 . The upper stop tab  852  and lower stop tab  856  are used for alignment with the post  602 . Also, the locking member  804  has an upper lock slot, elongated lock aperture or lock keeper  848  and a lower lock slot, elongated lock aperture or lock keeper  864 . The upper lock slot lock keeper  848  corresponds to upper lock slot keeper  814  and the lower lock slot lock keeper  864  corresponds to the lower lock slot lock keeper  832  for securing the latching member  802  to the locking member  804  with the hasp of lock  604 . The locking member  804  has a locking projection  872  for retainment of striker bar  600  in association with grapples  820  and  828  when the locking member  804  is locked to the latching member  802 . The locking projection  872  can also serve as a rest to support the striker bar  600  which in turn supports the gate. 
     To facilitate transporting the lock  604  along lock keepers  848 ,  864 ,  832  and  814 , the lock shuttle  810  is used. The lock shuttle  810  has a lock coupler  870  or other suitable lock shuttle coupler such as a hole for receiving the hasp of the lock  604 . The lock shuttle  810  can have different configurations such as a bar or rigid material or a shaped flexible material, each with provisions for installing and removing the lock  604 . The locking member  804  has lock shuttle  810  supports  842 ,  850 ,  866  and  860  for longitudinal guidance of the lock shuttle  810 . The lock shuttle  810  is inserted into supports  860  and  866  or  850  and  842  depending on whether the gate is a left hand or right hand gate. 
     For security enhancement, note the overlap of the grapple  820  (grapple  828  when used with a left hand gate) and the locking projection  872  when the latching member  802  is locked to locking member assembly  800 , similar to that as shown in  FIGS. 35 ,  36  and  37 . 
     As a minimum, the following features and components are used for a right hand gate:  816 ,  818 ,  820 ,  822 ,  824 ,  832 ,  846 ,  854 ,  860 ,  864 ,  866  and  808 . 
     As a minimum, the following features and components are used for a left hand gate:  814 ,  816 ,  824 ,  826 ,  828 ,  830 ,  842 ,  848 ,  850 ,  858 ,  862  and  808 . 
     Alternately and as a minimum, the sixth embodiment can include only the latching member  802  and the locking member  804  with fastener  806 . 
     Operation of the Sixth Embodiment— FIG. 34 ,  FIG. 35 ,  FIG. 36  and  FIG. 37   
       FIG. 34 ,  FIG. 35 ,  FIG. 36  and  FIG. 37  show an example of the operation of the sixth embodiment applicable to a right hand gate. The operation of the gate securing device includes two sub-operations, namely a latching operation and a locking operation. To perform the latching operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is open and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. Upon closing the gate, the striker bar  600  interacts with cam  822 , causing the latching member  802  to rotate counterclockwise, and then enters striker bar  600  entrance opening  824  ending in the striker bar  600  open space  818  as a result of the latching member  802  rotating clockwise due to its inherent gravity bias. The striker bar  600  is now secured by grapple  820  and thereby, resulting in the gate being in a latched state. To open the gate, it is unlatched by applying an upward force to the latching member  802  thereby rotating it counterclockwise. The upward force is applied until the grapple  820  is above the striker bar  600 . At this point, the gate is unlatched and can be opened. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is latched and unlatched in the same operation as previously stated. 
     To perform the locking operation, the following assumptions are made: the gate is latched and the operator is on the striker bar  600  side of the gate. To lock the gate, the operator pulls the lock shuttle  810  until the lock coupler  870  is accessible. At this point, the operator inserts the hasp of the lock  604  through the lock coupler  870  and the lock keepers  832  and  864  to lock the gate. The gate is locked because the striker bar  600  is secured since the latching member  802  and the locking member  804  cannot be moved with respect to each other. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is locked in the same operation as previously stated. 
     To unlock the gate, the operator pulls the lock shuttle  810  until the lock  604  is accessible and simply removes the lock  604  so that the latching member  802  and locking member  804  function independently. If the operator is on the side of the gate opposite from the striker bar  600 , the gate is unlocked in the same operation as previously stated. 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     FIG.  1 , FIG.  2 , FIG.  3 , FIG.  4 , FIG.  10 , FIG.  11 , FIG.  12 , FIG.  13 , FIG.  17 , FIG.  28 , FIG.  29 , FIG.  30 , FIG.  31 , FIG.  34 , FIG.  35 , FIG.  36  and FIG.  37   
     The seventh embodiment, according to this application, defines a method for use with a striker bar  600  and a lock  604  to secure a gate or other similar article to a gate post  602 , that provides for locking and unlocking the gate from each of its sides, the method includes the steps of:
     (a) providing a device applicable to the first, second, third, fifth or sixth embodiments;   (b) moving the device at least in part, while accessing either side of the gate, to either position to the operator the lock keepers  134  and  164 ,  218  and  248 ,  316  and  338 ,  718  and  748 , or the lock coupler  870 , as applicable;   (c) attaching the lock  604  to lock keepers  134  and  164 ,  218  and  248 ,  316  and  338 ,  718  and  748 ,  814  and  848 , or  832  and  864 , as applicable, to secure the latching member  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  702  and  802 , as applicable, to the respective locking member  104 ,  234 ,  304 ,  734  and  804 , thereby locking the device to the striker bar  600  and thus, the gate to the gate post  602 ;   (d) moving the device at least in part, while accessing either side of the gate, to position the lock  604  to the operator; and   (e) removing the lock  604  from the device to unlock the gate from the gate post  602 . whereby, the gate can be locked and unlocked from each side of the gate.
 
Operation of the Seventh Embodiment
   

     The operation of the seventh embodiment is explained in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS—Seventh Embodiment, above. 
     Advantages of the Embodiments 
     From the descriptions above, a number of possible advantages of the gate securing device controllable from both gate sides and method therefor should become evident.
         (a) the device and method have the ability to control gate securing functions of locking and unlocking from both sides of a gate with a single lock;   (b) the device and method have the ability to control gate securing functions of latching and unlatching from both sides of a gate;   (c) the device cannot be removed when gate is in locked condition thus ensuring security;   (e) the device can be installed on both left and right hand gates;   (f) the device provides the capability for self latching;   (g) the device provides provision for an operator supplied lock;   (h) the device provides for gravity biased latching;   (i) the device is inexpensive;   (j) the device is easy to install; and   (k) the device is user friendly.       

     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Thus, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the gate securing device fully controllable from each gate side and method therefor may be novel, simple and user friendly and have many advantages, features, and benefits. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the device and method therefor of this application may be essential for latching, unlatching, locking and unlocking a gate from each side of the gate. In addition, it should be evident that the device and method therefor may provide enhanced gate security since the device cannot be removed when the gate is locked. Moreover, the gate securing device fully controllable from each gate side and method therefor may have one or more of the additional advantages in that: 
     The device can be installed on both right hand and left hand gates; 
     The device has embodiments with only two moving parts 
     The device is inexpensive; 
     The device and method are simple to use; 
     The device and method saves time; 
     The device is reliable; 
     The device is easy to install; and 
     The device provides for self latching. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosed invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. Many other ramifications, variations, alterations, substitutions, modifications, and the like are readily possible within the teachings of this invention. For example, sizes, shapes, materials, assembly, design, etc. of all parts can be readily modified or changed. 
     With respect to the first embodiment, examples for modification or change may be: the handle bracket  116  is included in opening  156  to provide weight for proper gravity biasing however if a spring was used for biasing, the handle bracket  116  could be attached to the locking member  104  in an alternate manner thus eliminating screws  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  118 ,  120  and  122 , handle attachment plate  114 , threaded holes  150 ,  152 ,  158 ,  160 ,  174 ,  176 ,  168 ,  166 ,  188 ,  190 ,  192 ,  194 ,  196  and  198  and a handle attached to the locking member assembly  100  in a simpler manner; the locking tabs  162  and  136  can be eliminated and corresponding lock keepers  164  and  134  placed in the body of the locking member  104  and the latching member  102 , respectively; the locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  can be permanently affixed to the attachment bracket  502 ; open spaces  148 ,  178 ,  126  and  144  can have alternate configurations; the locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  could be spring biased instead of gravity biased; the locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  can be attached directly to the post  602  via an attachment bolt/screw through the holes  146  and  124 , respectively, thus eliminating the bracket member assembly  500 ; the locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  may be symmetrical by a vertical line passing through holes  146  and  124 , respectively, however the locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  can be configured asymmetrically by retaining the geometry on one side of the vertical line and replacing the geometry on the opposite side of the vertical line with a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias and with this modification the locking member assembly  100  and the latching member  102  can be installed on the post  602  by reversing the direction of an attachment bolt/screw to holes  146  and  124  to ensure compatibility with left and right hand gates; with reference to “a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias”, stated above, the “configuration” can be non-gravity biased if spring biasing is used; the handle attachment screw  112 , the locking handle  180  and the hole  182  can be eliminated and replaced with a permanent tab on the handle bracket  116 ; the first embodiment of the gate securing device can be mounted on a gate with the striker bar  600  mounted on the post  602 ; and the attachment bracket  502  can include a striker bar  600  rest or support positioned between upper stop tab  506  and lower stop tab  508  which serves to support the striker bar  600  which in turn supports the gate. 
     With respect to the second embodiment, examples for modification or change may be: the locking tabs  220  and  250  can be eliminated and corresponding lock keepers  218  and  248  placed in the body of the latching member  202  and the locking member  234 , respectively; the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  can be permanently affixed to the attachment bracket  502 ; open spaces  206 ,  232 ,  240  and  256  can have alternate configurations; the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  could be spring biased instead of gravity biased; the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  can be attached directly to the post  602  via an attachment bolt/screw through the hole  204  and slot  258 , respectively, thus eliminating the bracket member assembly  500 ; the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  may be symmetrical by a vertical line passing through hole  204  and slot  258 , respectively, however the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  can be configured asymmetrically by retaining the geometry on one side of the vertical line and replacing the geometry on the opposite side of the vertical line with a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias and with this modification the latching member  202  and the locking member assembly  200  can be installed on the post  602  by reversing the direction of an attachment bolt/screw to hole  204  and slot  258  to ensure compatibility with left and right hand gates; with reference to “a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias”, stated above, the “configuration” can be non-gravity biased if spring biasing is used; the handle attachment screws  236  and  238  locking handles  246  and  252  can be eliminated and replaced with a permanent tab on locking member  234 ; the second embodiment of the gate securing device can be mounted on a gate with the striker bar  600  mounted on the post  602 ; and the attachment bracket  502  can include a striker bar  600  rest or support positioned between upper stop tab  506  and lower stop tab  508  which serves to support the striker bar  600  which in turn supports the gate. 
     With respect to the third embodiment, examples for modification or change may be: the locking tabs  318  and  340  can be eliminated and corresponding lock keepers  316  and  338  placed in the body of the latching member  302  and the locking member  304 , respectively; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  300  can be permanently affixed to the attachment bracket  502 ; open spaces  310 ,  324 ,  326  and  350  can have alternate configurations; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  300  could be spring biased instead of gravity biased; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  300  can be attached directly to the post  602  via an attachment bolt/screw through the hole  308  and hole  352 , respectively, thus eliminating the bracket member assembly  500 ; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  300  may be symmetrical by a vertical line passing through holes  308  and  352 , respectively, however the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  300  can be configured asymmetrically by retaining the geometry on one side of the vertical line and replacing the geometry on the opposite side of the vertical line with a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias and with this modification the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  300  can be installed on the post  602  by reversing the direction of an attachment bolt/screw to holes  308  and  352  to ensure compatibility with left and right hand gates; with reference to “a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias”, stated above, the “configuration” can be non-gravity biased if spring biasing is used; the third embodiment of the gate securing device can be mounted on a gate with the striker bar  600  mounted on the post  602 ; and the attachment bracket  502  can include a striker bar  600  rest or support positioned between upper stop tab  506  and lower stop tab  508  which serves to support the striker bar  600  which in turn supports the gate. 
     With respect to the fourth embodiment, examples for modification or change may be: the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  400  can be permanently affixed to the attachment bracket  502 ; open spaces  310 ,  324 ,  426  and  450  can have alternate configurations; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  400  could be spring biased instead of gravity biased; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  400  can be attached directly to the post  602  via an attachment bolt/screw through the hole  308  and slot  452 , respectively, thus eliminating the bracket member assembly  500 ; the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  400  may be symmetrical by a vertical line passing through holes  308  and  452 , respectively, however the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  400  can be configured asymmetrically by retaining the geometry on one side of the vertical line and replacing the geometry on the opposite side of the vertical line with a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias and with this modification the latching member  302  and the locking member assembly  400  can be installed on the post  602  by reversing the direction of an attachment bolt/screw to holes  308  and  452  to ensure compatibility with left and right hand gates; with reference to “a configuration to ensure proper gravity bias”, stated above, the “configuration” can be non-gravity biased if spring biasing is used; the male portion  454 M of the locking mechanism assembly  454  can be combination or key activated; the male portion  454 M of the locking mechanism assembly  454  can be affixed to the locking tab  318  and oriented downwardly with the keeper  454 F being on locking tab  440 ; locking tabs  318  and  440  can be eliminated and the male portion  454 M of the locking mechanism assembly  454  can be affixed to the body of latching member  302  with the male portion  454 M oriented inwardly/horizontally with a keeper corresponding to keeper  454 F in the body of locking member  404 ; the fourth embodiment of the gate securing device can be mounted on a gate with the striker bar  600  mounted on the post  602 ; and the attachment bracket  502  can include a striker bar  600  rest or support positioned between upper stop tab  506  and lower stop tab  508  which serves to support the striker bar  600  which in turn supports the gate. 
     With respect to the fifth embodiment, examples for modification or change may be: the locking tabs  720  and  750  can be eliminated and corresponding keepers  718  and  748  placed in the body of the latching member  702  and the locking member  734 , respectively; open spaces  732  and  756  can have alternate configurations; the latching member  702  and the locking member  734  could be spring biased instead of gravity biased; the latching member  702  and the locking member  734  can be attached directly to the post  602  via an attachment bolt/screw through the hole  704  and hole  758 , respectively, thus eliminating the bracket member assembly  500 ; open space  732 , grapple  726  and cam  730  on latching member  702  and grapple  754  and open space  756  on locking member  734  can be rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise so that they may be substantially on the top of latching member  702  and locking member  734  for compatibility with vertically sliding structures such as gates, doors, windows, panels and other similar sliding objects that use a striker bar  600 ; the fifth embodiment of the gate securing device can be mounted on a gate with the striker bar  600  mounted on the gate  602 ; and the attachment bracket  502  can include a striker bar  600  rest or support positioned between upper stop tab  506  and lower stop tab  508  which serves to support the striker bar  600  which in turn supports the gate. 
     With respect to the sixth embodiment, examples for modification or change may be: open spaces  818  and  830  and openings  854  and  858  can have alternate configurations; the latching member  802  and the locking member  804  may be symmetrical by a horizontal line passing through holes  812  and  840 , respectively, however the latching member  802  and the locking member assembly  800  can be configured asymmetrically by retaining the geometry on one side of the horizontal line and replacing the geometry on the opposite side of the horizontal line with a simple configuration and with this modification the latching member  802  will require spring biasing if the applicable grapple operates from below the striker bar  600 ; and the gate securing device of the sixth embodiment can be mounted on a gate with the striker bar  600  mounted on the post  602 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 41 , a side perspective view of a first alternate version of lock keepers is shown. Lock keeper  900  and lock keeper  902  can be used to respectively replace lock keepers previously shown on the locking member and latching member applicable to the first, second, third, fifth and seventh embodiments. Referring to  FIG. 42 , a side perspective view of a second alternate version of lock keepers is shown. Lock keeper  904  and lock keeper  906  can be used to respectively replace lock keepers previously shown on the locking member and latching member applicable to the first, second, third, fifth and seventh embodiments. 
     Lock keepers are more generically defined as any configuration of latching and locking member structure by which a respective latching member and locking member can be secured together with a removable lock. 
     Accordingly, the scope and meaning should be determined not only by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.