Abstract:
A gate latch assembly includes strike mounting plate and a gate latch. The strike mounting plate has a base portion and a pin attachment portion. The gate latch has a second base portion and a pin engagement portion extending from a mid-portion of the second base portion. This pin engagement portion has a first prong and a second prong separated by a slot. A latch is pivotally mounted to the first prong and effective to releasably restrain a pin within the slot. The pin is affixed to the strike mounting plate and has a length effective to engage the slot. One feature of the assembly is that it is equally suitable for gates that swing to the left and for gates that swing to the right. Further, by changing the configuration of the pin, the gate latch assembly is suitable for sliding gates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    N.A. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N.A. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Field of the Disclosure 
         [0004]    Disclosed herein is a latch for a swinging gate or a sliding gate. More particularly, there is disclosed a gate latch for use with a safety fence surrounding a roof access hatch. 
         [0005]    Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    Safety regulations require that scuttles, or roof access hatches, provide some means of protecting workers on a roof from inadvertently falling through an open hatch. One method of protection is to surround the hatch with a safety railing or a safety fence to assist workers accessing the roof via the scuttle and to prevent workers on the roof from inadvertently falling through an open hatch. The distance from the roof to the top floor of a building may be on the order of 30 feet or more, so a secure safety system is required. One such safety system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,931,793, titled “Roof Scuttle Safety Railing System, to Joyce et al. that is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0007]    Safety regulations further require that a gate latch on the safety railing or safety fence surrounding a roof scuttle be able to withstand a force of at least 200 pounds without opening. Prudent engineering design practices commonly utilize a safety factor of two. Therefore, the latching mechanism should be capable of supporting a static load of 400 pounds. Commercial requirements further require that the gate latch be suitable for use with all three of: swinging gates that open to the right; swinging gates that open to the left; and sliding gates. Conventional gate latches, typically stamped from sheet metal are unlikely to be able to withstand 400 pounds of force. There remains a need for a gate latch, particularly suitable for use with roof scuttles, that meets both these safety regulations and commercial requirements. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Accordingly, there is provided a gate latch assembly. The gate latch assembly includes a combination of a strike mounting plate and a gate latch. The strike mounting plate has a generally first planar base portion and a pin attachment portion extending from a mid-portion of the first generally planar base portion. This pin attachment portion has a through hole extending therethrough with a longitudinal axis of the through hole being substantially parallel to the first generally planar base portion. The gate latch has a second generally planar base portion and a pin engagement portion extending from a mid-portion of the second generally planar base portion. This pin engagement portion has a first prong and a second prong separated by a slot. A latch is pivotally mounted to the first prong and effective to releasably restrain a pin within the slot. The pin is affixed to the strike mounting plate via the through hole and has a length effective to engage the slot. 
         [0009]    One feature of the assembly is that it is equally suitable for gates that swing to the left and for gates that swing to the right. Further, by changing the configuration of the pin, the gate latch assembly is suitable for sliding gates. 
         [0010]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a strike mounting plate for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a first embodiment of the strike mounting plate. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the strike mounting plate. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a second embodiment of the strike mounting plate. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a gate latch for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a first latch for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of a second latch for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a pin for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein in combination with a swinging gate. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a pin for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein in combination with a sliding gate. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  illustrates the gate latch assembly for a swinging gate. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  illustrates a plunger mechanism for opening the gate latch assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  illustrates the gate latch assembly for a sliding gate. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly with a swinging gate where the swinging gate portion is on the left. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly with a swinging gate where the swinging gate portion is on the right. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly mounted to a safety railing. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly in combination with a roof scuttle. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a strike mounting plate  10  for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein has a base portion  12 . A pin attachment portion  14  extends from a mid-portion of the base portion  12 . A first hole  16  extends through the pin attachment portion  14 . As best viewed in  FIG. 2 , the first hole  16  has a longitudinal axis  18  that is substantially parallel to the plane  20  of the base portion  12 . The first hole  16  is sized to receive the arms of a U-shaped pin for use with a sliding gate as disclosed below. A second hole  22  extends into the pin attachment portion  14  in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane  20  of the base portion  12 . This second hole  22  terminates at a blind bore  24  within the pin attachment portion  14 . The second hole  22  is sized to receive a generally straight pin for use with a swinging gate as disclosed below. The first hole  16  and second hole  22  accommodate pins of different lengths and also enable a pin to be adjusted horizontally to accommodate varying distances between the gate and the post. 
         [0029]    An exterior surface  26 ,  26 ′ forms an integral mounting bracket enabling mounting of the strike mounting plate  10  on curved or flat surfaces. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the exterior surface  26  of the base portion  12  may be curved to facilitate attachment to a round gate or port. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the exterior surface  26 ′ may be flat to facilitate mounting to square tubing, a wood post, or other mounting adapters that may be provided by others. Mounting slots  28  are used to bolt, screw or otherwise affix the strike mounting plate to a gate post. The extended length of the mounting slot  28  provides adjustability in a vertical direction to compensate for a gate that has sagged. 
         [0030]    The strike mounting plate  10  may be manufactured from a variety of materials that resist damage when exposed to the outdoors. Suitable materials include polymers, woods and metals. These materials may be coated, such as by painting, or chemically treated, such as by galvanizing, to enhance corrosion resistance. Fabrication can be by methods such as 3-D printing, casting, injection molding and machining. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a gate latch  30 . The gate latch  30  has a generally planar base portion  32 . As described above, an exterior surface  34  of the base portion may be curved to facilitate attachment to a round gate or port. Alternatively, the exterior surface  34  may be flat to facilitate mounting to square tubing, a wood post, or other mounting adapters that may be provided by others. The gate latch  30  includes a pin engagement portion  36  extending from a mid-portion of the base portion  32 . The pin engagement portion  36  includes a slot  38  bordered by a first prong  40  and a second prong  42 . 
         [0032]    The gate latch  30  is typically mounted vertically, along the axis  44 , with the second prong  42  being above the first prong  40  enabling gravity to assist with the latching and to retain the pin in the latched position. A top surface of the first prong  40  includes the following three segments aligned from most distant from the base portion  32  to closest to the base portion: a first ramp portion  46  that slopes upwardly in the direction of the base portion  32 , a second ramp portion  48  that slopes downwardly in the direction of the base portion  32  and retention notch  50 . The first ramp portion  46  and second ramp portion  48  guide the pin to the preferred latched position. The pin receiving groove is shaped to receive a portion of the cross-sectional area of the pin. If that portion of the pin that is received is too small, the pin will slide out of the retention notch  50  too easily. If that portion is too large, it will be difficult to slide the pin out of the retention notch  50 . Typically this portion will be from 20%-60% of the cross sectional area of the pin and more preferably, from 30%-40% if the cross sectional area. Retention notch  50  is also effective to reduce or eliminate vibration and rattling of the gate. 
         [0033]    The second prong  44  includes a latch receiving slot  52  separated by a first arm  54  and a second arm  56  that project outward from the base portion  32 . As described below, a latch is received within the latch receiving slot and pivots within the slot to lock the pin in the retention notch  50  or allow for the pin to exit from the retention notch  50 . Hole  58  in the first arm  54  and hole  60  in the second arm receive an axle that extends through the latch. The latch then pivots about this axle. 
         [0034]    The gate latch  30  may be manufactured from a variety of materials that resist damage when exposed to the outdoors. Suitable materials include polymers, woods and metals. These materials may be coated, such as by painting, or chemically treated, such as by galvanizing, to enhance corrosion resistance. Fabrication can be by methods such as 3-D printing, casting, injection molding and machining. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a latch  62  for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein. The latch  62  has a width, w, sized to fit within the latch receiving slot (reference numeral  52  in  FIG. 5 ) with sufficient spacing to allow free rotation within the latch receiving slot. Hole  64  extends through the latch  62  to receive the axle (not shown). The latch  62  includes a release tab  66 . Pressing down on the release tab  66  causes an engagement portion  68  to pivot into the latch receiving slot enabling the gate to be opened. Release tab  69  may include a serrated surface  70  to assist a user pressing down on the release tab  66  to open the gate. 
         [0036]    The engagement portion  68  includes the bulk of the mass of the latch  62  to maintain the center of gravity of the latch to the rear of the latch pivot point  64 . This allows for gravity to drop the latch without the use of springs or any other assistive force being applied. Latch  62  includes a sloped surface  72  that engages the second ramp portion of the gate latch (reference numeral  48  in  FIG. 5 ) to provide positive retention against outward pulling forces applied to the gate. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of an alternative latch  74  for use with the gate latch assembly disclosed herein. While similar in many respects to the latch  62  ( FIG. 6 ), in addition to the release tab  66 , there is a plunger tab  76 . Pressing on a spring loaded plunger (not shown) applies a force against surface  78  causing the latch  74  to pivot and open. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a pin  80  for use with, a swinging gate. Referring to  FIG. 1  in combination with  FIG. 8 , an insertion end  82  of the pin  80  is inserted into the second hole  22 . The diameter of the insertion end  82  is about equal, or slightly smaller, than the diameter of the second hole  22  so that a snug fit is achieved. Ferrules  84  may be included to enhance locking of the insertion end  82  into the second hole  22 . Knob  86  may be provided at an opposing end of the pin  80  both to help retain the pin  80  in the retention notch  50  ( FIG. 5 ) and to provide a smooth surface to prevent users who contact the pin from getting cut. 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a pin  88  for use with a sliding gate. Referring to  FIG. 1  in combination with  FIG. 8 , the pin  88  is generally u-shaped with opposing first arm  90  and second arm  92 , both terminating at a toroid  94  having a through hole  96 . Pin  88  spans the width, w, of the strike mounting plate  10  with the through holes  96  aligned with the first hole  16 . A bolt, rivet, or other fixturing mechanism (not shown) then joins the pin  88  to the strike mounting plate with opposing engagement surface  98  effective to engage the retention notch  50  ( FIG. 5 ). 
         [0040]    Pin  80  and pin  88  are typically formed from a corrosion resistant metal such as stainless steel. 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  illustrates a gate latch assembly  100  for use with a swinging gate. A strike mounting plate  10  is fastened to a swinging gate portion  102 . A gate latch  30  is fastened to a stationary fence post or door jamb  104 . Pin  80  extends from first hole  16  to be restrained by latch  62  spanning the gap  106  between the swinging gate  102  and the stationary fence post  104 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  illustrates a plunger  108  for opening the gate latch assembly. The plunger  108  is typically mounted on and through the stationary fence post or door jamb  104 . A compression spring  110  is expanded when not-engaged. Depressing release button  112  compresses the compression spring  110  and causes the tip  114  of the plunger  108  to engage the plunger tip  76  of latch  74  causing the engagement portion  68  to pivot inward on axle  116  thereby releasing pin  80 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates the gate latch assembly  120  for a sliding gate with a strike mounting plate  10  fastened to an edge of a sliding gate  122 . Pin  88  engages gate latch  30  that is fastened to an edge of a stationary fence post  104  or door jamb. The optional plunger  108  provides one mechanism to open the gate latch assembly  120  while release tab  66  provides another opening mechanism. The plunger is useful for applications where the gate latch assembly and the release tab are not readily accessible. For example, when the latch is to be opened from the side opposite the gate latch assembly or when the gate latch assembly is positioned high up on a gate post. 
         [0044]      FIG. 13  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly  100  for use with a swinging gate where the swinging gate portion and the strike mounting plate  10  are on the left.  FIG. 14  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly  100  for use with a swinging gate where the swinging gate portion and strike mounting plate  10  are on the right.  FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate how the same components may be used for both right opening gates and left opening gates. 
         [0045]      FIG. 15  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly mounted to a safety railing.  FIG. 16  is a photograph illustrating the gate latch assembly in combination with a roof scuttle. 
         [0046]    One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the gate latch assembly may be used to limit access to a swimming pool to an industrial site. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.