Abstract:
A retaining bracket for a fence gate used to secure the gates in a closed position relative to the fence includes a pair of axial members and a center “U”-shaped neck portion. Each opposing axial member is comprised of a straight rod and is attached to the neck portion. In use, a user holds an existing gate in the closed position and inserts an end portion of each axial member downward into a top-facing aperture located in a fence post and an adjacently opposing gate posts, thereby retaining the gate in its closed position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Jul. 6, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fence gate latches, and in particular, to a bracket for retaining a fence gate in a closed position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fence gates are used to provide access in and out of enclosed areas. While small gates which allow personnel access are easy to install and use, larger gates such as those across driveways are somewhat more difficult to design and implement. Many times, such gates are provided in two (2) parts which swing back and forth to allow vehicles and other large objects to pass. It is necessary to secure these two part gates in the middle when they are closed. 
     Many fence designs use a retractable pin that drops into a small hole in the pavement below. This solution however is plagued with multiple problems. First, the hole often becomes plugged with debris making it impossible to use. Second, the pin drags along the pavement as the gate is opened and closed. Over time this forms an unsightly arc on the pavement. The gate release mechanism is located low on the gate and is somewhat difficult to access. This makes it difficult for the elderly or disabled to use. The gate mechanism may also become completely buried in even a minor amount of snow. 
     Other fence gate latches utilize a generally “U”-shaped member having a base which pivots about a supporting fence post such that the “U”-shaped portion engages the gate post in a lowered position and disengages the gate post in a raised position so the gate can be opened. Still other types of latching mechanisms utilize a latch bar and a corresponding spring loaded catch. 
     While these familiar gate latching mechanisms may achieve their purported objective each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there remains a need for a gate retaining device in which fence gates of any size, but particularly large swinging gates, can be secured in a manner which addresses the disadvantages as described above. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a retaining bracket for a fence gate that provides a means of securing swinging gates in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing the retaining bracket for a fence gate of a fence system having a “U”-shaped member with a semi-circular neck and a pair of opposing axial members. A pair of stop collars are each disposed between the neck and each axial member. The pair of axial members is insertable into apertures disposed in an upper portion of a fence gate post and a directly adjacent fence fixed post to retain the fence gate in a closed position relative to the fence system. 
     In an embodiment of the retaining bracket, the pair of axial members includes a first axial member at least partially insertable into the aperture of the gate post or the fixed post and a second axial member at least partially insertable into the aperture of an opposing respective fixed post or gate post. 
     In another embodiment, pair of stop collars includes a first stop collar which is affixed around an upper distal end of the first axial member adjacent to a base of the neck which limits insertion of the first axial member within the post aperture. A second stop collar is affixed around an upper distal end of the second axial member adjacent to a base of the neck which limits insertion of the second axial member within the opposing post aperture. 
     In another embodiment, the second axial member also includes a third stop collar affixed around an intermediate portion, where the third stop collar and a lower end of the second axial member are retained below the aperture of the opposing respective fixed post or gate post such that the second axial member is not removable from the opposing respective fixed post or gate post. 
     In another embodiment, a fence system is provided with the retaining bracket included as an integral feature. The fence enclosure includes a plurality of fence fixed posts retained to a ground surface and defining an area to be enclosed and a fencing attached to the plurality of fixed posts. A fence gate is disposed between two of the plurality of fixed posts and includes a pair of fence gate posts and a gate fencing attached between the gate posts. The “U”-shaped member is provided having a semi-circular neck and a pair of opposing axial members and a pair of stop collars, each stop collar being disposed between the neck and the axial member. One (1) of the pair of gate posts is hingedly attached to one of the plurality of fixed posts such that an opposing gate post is adjacent to another one (1) of the plurality of fixed posts. The pair of axial members is insertable into apertures disposed in an upper portion of the opposing gate post and the directly adjacent fixed post to retain the fence gate in a closed position relative to the fence enclosure. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a retaining bracket for a gate depicted in a locked position, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the retaining bracket for a gate depicted in an unlocked position, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the retaining bracket for a gate, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental view of an alternate retaining bracket for a gate depicted in a locked position, according to an alternate embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an environmental view of the alternate retaining bracket for a gate depicted in an unlocked position, according to an alternate embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the alternate retaining bracket for a gate, according to an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  retaining bracket for a gate 
               11  fixed fencing 
               12  fixed post 
               13  fixed post upper portion 
               14  aperture 
               15  gate fencing 
               16  gate post 
               17  gate post upper portion 
               18  chain-link fence 
               19  gate 
               20  first axial member 
               21  first stop collar 
               22  second axial member 
               23  second stop collar 
               24  neck portion 
               25  welding 
               30  alternate retaining bracket 
               31  alternate first axial member 
               32  alternate first stop collar 
               33  alternate second axial member 
               34  upper stop collar 
               35  lower stop collar 
               36  alternate neck 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , depicting a retaining bracket for a gate (herein described as the “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a retaining bracket which secures or locks a gate portion of a chain-link fence which in a closed state in a manner which is quick and easy and which eliminates cumbersome and challenging traditional locking techniques. The device  10  is preferably utilized with an existing chain-link-type fencing system having a hinged entry gate. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show environmental view of the device  10  depicted in a locked position and in an unlocked position, respectively. Chain-link fences  18  typically include a plurality of fixed posts  12  located around a perimeter of the area which is fenced in. Only a single fixed post  12  which is directly adjacent to a gate  19  is illustrated here for clarity. The fixed posts  12  are used to stabilize the fixed fencing  11  and secure it to a ground surface, thereby enclosing the fenced-in area. Chain-link fences  18  also include a gate  19  which secures an ingress and egress opening in the fixed fencing  11 . Typically the gate  19  is hingedly attached to a particular fixed post  12  and spans a distance between a nearby and adjacent fixed post  12 . The gate  19  includes a pair of gate posts  16  and gate fencing  15  fastened between the gate posts  16 . Only a single gate post  16  which is directly adjacent to an entry way fixed post  12  is illustrated here for clarity. Although the device  10  is illustrated as being utilized with a single gate fencing system, it can be appreciated that the device  10  can be utilized with various other gated systems such as chain-link fencing systems having a double gate without limiting the scope of said device  10 . 
     An existing chain-link fence  18  is modified to receive and be used with the device  10  by drilling an aperture  14  into a top surface of an upper portion  13  of the fixed post  12  and a top surface of an upper portion  17  of the adjacent gate post  16 . With the preexisting fencing system modified, the device  10  can then be installed and utilized. 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the device  10 . The device  10  generally includes a first axial member  20 , a first stop collar  21 , a second axial member  22 , a second stop collar  23 , and a neck portion  24 . The device  10  forms a generally “U”-shape where the neck portion is curved such that the first axial member  20  and the second axial member are generally parallel. The device  10  is utilized in an inverted orientation and is removably attached between the top surface of a fixed post upper portion  13  and the top surface of a gate post upper portion  17 . 
     The device  10  is preferably fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: metal, plastic, or similar durable and rigid materials. The first axial member  20  is rod-shaped and is inserted into and removed from the aperture  14  in the fixed post upper portion  13 . The first axial member  20  is downwardly inserted into the aperture  14  on the fixed post upper portion  13  to retain the gate  19  in the closed state and the first axial member  20  is lifted out from the aperture  14  to release the gate  19 . The diameter of the first axial member  20  is smaller than the diameter of its respective aperture  14  to enable insertion within the aperture  14 . The first stop collar  21  is affixed to a distal end portion of the first axial member  20  to predetermine a length of the first axial member  20  which is available to be inserted into the fixed post upper portion  13 . The first stop collar  21  is preferably affixed to the fixed post upper portion  13  by welding  25 . An outer diameter of the first stop collar  21  is larger than the diameter of the aperture  14  in the fixed post upper portion  13  to limit insertion of the first axial member  20  to the predetermined length. An upper proximal end portion of the first axial member  20  extends into the arcuate neck portion  24  which extends into the second axial member  22 . The opposing first axial member  20  and second axial member  22  provide for the interconnection between the fixed post  12  and the gate post  16  to retain the gate  19  in the closed position. The distance between the axial members  20 ,  22  is approximately equivalent to the distance between apertures  14  in the fixed post  12  and the adjacent gate post  16 , thus the device  10  is manufactured in various sizes to accommodate various fencing systems. 
     The device  10  attaches to the aperture  14  on the gate post upper portion  17  by inserting the second axial member  22  into the aperture  14 . The second axial member  22  rod-shaped and is approximately double the length of the first axial member  21 , which enables the second axial member  22  to remain within the aperture  14  in the gate post upper portion  17  while the first axial member  21  is moved between the locked and unlocked positions. The diameter of the second axial member  22  is smaller than the diameter of the aperture  14  to enable insertion within the aperture  14 . The second stop collar  23  is affixed to a distal end portion of the second axial member  22  by welding  25  at a location approximately aligned with and parallel to the first stop collar  21 . The second stop collar  23  restricts insertion of the second axial member  22  to a predetermined a length to be made available to be inserted into the gate post upper portion  17 . An outer diameter of the second stop collar  23  is larger than the diameter of the aperture  14  in the gate post upper portion  17  to limit insertion of the second axial member  22  to the predetermined length. 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  show environmental views of an alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30  depicted in a locked position and in an unlocked position, respectively.  FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30 . The alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30  can be utilized to provide a quick and easy way of locking and unlocking a chain-link fencing system. The alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30  is an integral part of the chain-link fence  18  and gate  19  and is fabricated as a part the chain-link fencing system during the original manufacturing process. 
     The alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30  functions identically to the preferred embodiment  10 , as abovementioned, and comprises an alternate first axial member  31 , an alternate first stop collar  32 , an alternate second axial member  33 , an upper stop collar  34 , a lower stop collar  35 , and an alternate neck  35 . The alternate first axial member  31 , an alternate first stop collar  32 , and alternate neck  35  are identical to the preferred embodiment of the device  10 . The alternate second axial member  33  is permanently fastened into the gate post  16  by the upper stop collar  34  and lower stop collar  35 . The diameters of the upper and lower stop collars  34 ,  35  are larger than the diameter of the aperture  14  on the gate post upper portion  17  to enable the alternate second axial member  33  to be fixed to the fixed post  12  or the gate post  16 , the alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30  is illustrated here as fastened to the gate post  16 . The upper stop collar  34  is affixed to an upper distal end portion of the alternate second axial member  33  and the lower stop collar  35  is attached to an intermediate portion of the alternate second axial member  33  by welding  25 . The upper stop collar  34  is positioned externally to an upper surface of the gate post upper portion  17  and the lower stop collar  35  is positioned internally within the gate post upper portion  17 , thereby enabling the alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30  to only be extended enough to remove the alternate first axial member  31  from its respective aperture  14  and prohibiting the alternate retaining bracket for a metal gate  30  from being completely removed from the gate  19 . The alternate first axial member  31  is inserted into the aperture  14  of an adjacent fixed post upper portion  13 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and alternately as indicated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; drilling apertures  14  into the fixed post upper portion  13  and gate post upper portion  17 ; inserting the second axial member  22  into the aperture  14  on the gate post upper portion  17 ; locking the gate  19  to the chain-link fence  18  by inserting the first axial member  20  into the aperture  14  on the fixed post upper portion  13  adjacent to the gate  19 ; removing the first axial member  20  from the aperture  14  to unlock the gate  19  from the chain-link fence  18  as desired; and, providing a means of securing gates in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. 
     The method of utilizing the alternate retaining bracket for a metal gate  30  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the alternate retaining bracket for a gate  30 ; installing the gating system as would be instructed or installed professionally; locking the gate  19  to the chain-link fence  18  by inserting the alternate first axial member  31  into the aperture  14  on the fixed post upper portion  13  adjacent to the gate  19 ; removing the alternate first axial member  31  from the aperture  14  to unlock the gate  19  from the chain-link fence  18  as desired; enabling the alternate second axial member  33  is remain in a fixed position via the upper and lower stop collars  34 ,  35 ; and, providing a means of securing gates in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.