Patent Publication Number: US-2023133790-A1

Title: Livestock Confinement Gating System and Method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/125,724 filed on Dec. 17, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein fully by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     A system and method for efficiently constructing confinement area for new and remodeled animal confinement production buildings. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Creating confinement area for animal production, such as those used in pork confinement barns include a vast array of designs developed throughout decades of component additions and modifications to solve the problems. The problems, such as structural failure, corrosion failure, animal control, animal entrapment, animal injury, and biosecurity issues all have driven these changes. The pen design in a particular facility is defined by floor slat slot configurations, gating lengths, post styles, feed line location, feeder size, desired animal groupings, movement options, cost, and customer preferences. With so many wants and constraints, every production barn is a custom gating system burdened with unnecessary overhead and manufacturing errors. 
     The hog confinement production barns, for example, have transitioned to wean-to-finish production. Therefore, the need to control very small “weaned” animals to market-weight requires alterations to pen hardware. Typically, the additional blocking components, “sometimes after thoughts”, are added to either gates, t-post or square-posts preventing the small animal movement beyond and between pens. 
     The floor slats of a confinement building have slots that allow animal waste to transfer from the floor to a biowaste pit. The floor slats are produced in multiple configurations of width, length, number of slots, and configuration of slots. Additionally, the floor slats with unbalanced slot configurations are often installed in a particular slot stagger by alternating end-to-end orientations in the barn. There are instances of damaged floor slats being replaced with a different design, thus requiring locational attention to gating design when rebuilding a barn. Floor slats will remain the production standard for confinement floor and bio-waste management and gating hardware attachment for the foreseeable future. 
     The floor slat slots are also used to secure pen hardware to the floor. The pen sizes are a derivative of the barn dimensions and today&#39;s gating systems utilize large floor plates welded to t- and square-post to ensure the gating can be secured to the floor. Dill (U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,621) teaches a gating system wherein the gate panels are defined with vertical post with small mounting feet welded to the bottom. This design does not provide flexibility in mounting orientation, and this foot design is not compatible with the floor slats of the modern production barn. Gent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,695) teaches an extendable gate with slotted footplates that are sufficiently long to intercept multiple floor slat slots. 
     The floor slats over time experience surface wear, chips, and sagging between supporting structures. When a barn has sagging floor slats and is installing a new gating package, the onsite modifications to compensate for floor sagging add a significant cost, reduce the quality of the installation, and reduce the overall customer perception of quality. 
     The gates are in many forms of steel and non-steel materials; and built in vertical and horizontal dividers, sometime both in the same product assembly. The primary method of manufacturing the gates is to cut and weld components into rigid assemblies. 
     The current fixed-gate assembly designs require gates be supported at gate junctions or end points by a t- or square-post weldment with a large footplate to ensure sufficient length to attach to the floor slat, preferably with two fasteners. O&#39;Connor (U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,638) teaches the requirement for posts in a gating system, wherein the gates are solid panels, specifically concrete panels. This is representative of the current hog confinement gating systems, gate panels with t-post and square post structural requirements. 
     Gates that swing are latched to the fixed-gate, t- or square-post using simple mechanical methods. These methods include drop rods which must be removed from the latch. Once removed, the drop rod can be dropped and end up in the biowaste pit located below the floor slats. Once dropped in the biowaste pit, the drop rod is not retrievable and is lost. Another option is a mechanical flipper lock that swings out of the way of a hinge point, referred to as a flag and pin. Once out of the way, the gate is lifted and opened. The flipper lock provides a mechanical stop to prevent the animals from lifting the gate and opening. The flipper lock must be blocked on the animal side of the gate to prevent accidental gate opening. This blocking component represents a historical modification made to maintain animal pen assignment. 
     Panel gates, steel or plastic, are very restrictive to air movement. Stainless steel gating is expensive and reserved for the very financially elite producers. Steel and imported galvanized gating remains a very viable and proven gating system. The gating package chosen for a barn is hardware and installation cost driven, except for very rare instances. 
     Pen configurations are primarily driven by the need to anchor the gates to t- and square-post to the floor slat slots at specific gate joints. Because of the many floor slat options, without knowing the exact layout of the slats, a gating installation is completely designed wrong and must be remanufactured. Furthermore, the engineering resource cost to create and recreate special assemblies can exceed the productivity value of a project. 
     T- and square-posts are the current method of connecting gates to the floor. Both are a vertical plate or tube welded to a large floorplate. Floorplates are commonly 8″×17″×½″ thick with multiple parallel slots which are designed to perpendicularly intersect floor slat slots. Thus, allowing for the placement of two to four floor anchoring bolt assemblies. The floorplates are laser cut and the drops are calculated in the cost as scrap. Plates are commonly manufactured from steel or stainless steel. This method means every t- and square-posts are basically custom to a barn&#39;s design. The custom nature of the current gating design places great risk on the builder to deliver a product without errors. 
     During installation, the most common solution to wrong fitting equipment is to cut and reweld. When this involves stainless and galvanized materials, toxic gases are emitted and rarely are workers properly equipped with the correct protective equipment. When the modifications are made to hot dipped galvanized components and assemblies, the protective coating is destroyed, and repair is expensive, inadequate or never completed. Steel gates with no coating or a low-cost paint coating are least affected by in field modifications involving cutting and rewelding. 
     Therefore, for all the reasons stated herein, there is a need for a more standardized, minimize part and assembly count, robust, simplified broad application installation process, bio-secure, animal well-being focused, and cost-effective gating system. 
     Thus, it is an object of the disclosure to eliminate the need for t- and square-posts at gate assembly joints. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to linearly increase the number of locations a gate can be connected to the floor slat slots. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to maintain excellent air circulation associated with non-panel gates. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that is easily cleaned, maintained, or improves the biosecurity capability. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that has no internal cavities to house disease, thus improving the biosecurity capability. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that has no sharp edges which could affect animal well-being. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that attaches to the floor and is easily cleaned improving the biosecurity capability. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that attaches to the floor and has no internal cavities to house disease, thus improving the biosecurity capability. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system which attaches to the floor and has no sharp edges which could affect animal well-being. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system wherein no component of the gating system can entrap or cause injury to the confined animal. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to simplify the installation of a gating system in new barns. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to simplify the installation of a gating system in old barns. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to simplify the installation of a gating system in old barns with sagging floors. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to eliminate over production waste associated with large footplates in a gating system. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to eliminate over production waste associated with t- and square-posts in a gating system. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to eliminate the need for t- and square-posts in a gating system. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to minimize manufacturing errors of a gating system. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with reduced part variations. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with higher and more statistically capable production methods. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with a gate latch which cannot be opened by the confined animal. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is a to provide a gating system with a gate latch that allows opening by swinging in or out at either end. 
     Another object of the disclosure is a gating system with a gate latch that is easily cleaned for biosecurity purposes. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that has a gate latch which is fully protected from animal contact from both sides. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that does not require removal of a drop rod to open the gate. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that has a latch which cannot be removed and strike or poke the animals. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to minimize the number parts and assemblies to create confinement barn gating. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with components which are utilized in moving and stationary applications. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with a latch that is easily assembled and disassembled. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with a latch that is used in all animal gating systems. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with a latch that can work with multiple materials. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system with a latch that works with multiple finish coatings. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate which works in any angular orientation to the floor slat slot. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate to floor securing method which minimizes intrusion into the pen area. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate to floor securing method that minimizes intrusion into walkways and alleys. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate to floor securing method which eliminates over production waste associated with large foot plates. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate to floor securing method which allows for use of multiple floor anchor bolts. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that removes the design requirement about gate joint locations. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate that does not have to be attached to a wall to be structurally sufficient for animal confinement. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a gate to floor attaching method which allows for vertical positioning. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a footplate that can secure a gate parallel to the floor slots. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a footplate that can secure a gate perpendicular to the floor slats. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a footplate that can secure a gate to the floor at any angle. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a singular footplate for all installation requirements for fixed gating. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that comprises a singular footplate, and by its production method, does not produce scrap or use excessive amounts of material associated with over production. 
     Yet another object of the disclosure is to provide a gating system that does not require any additional hardware, such as a flipper, to secure a gate in the latched state. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The disclosure relates to an improved gating system (also referred to as “pen”, “pens”, or “system” throughout the disclosure) for safely confining animals is presented. The disclosure relates to a system which enables high-volume manufacturing to minimize parts count, eliminates most welding, maximizes functionality, and reduces direct labor costs during manufacturing, installation, and utilization. 
     Additionally, the disclosure relates to an improved gating system which eliminates the historical design constraints associated with floor slat slots, t-posts, and square posts. The disclosure provides a gate structural system which allows the infinite positioning of a footplate, eliminating the requirement for t-posts and square posts. The infinitely positional footplate allows gates to be mount in any position, eliminating custom parts and over production waste. 
     The disclosure relates to an improved bi-directional gate latching method for movable and fixed-gate applications. The improved latch assembly prevents accidental opening and blocks unwanted movement between confinement areas. The improved latch assembly eliminates the need for tacked on components to solve confinement issues, reducing cost and errors associated with variation. 
     Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a four-component solution for confinement barn gating which comprises a gate, a footplate, a latch, and a c-bracket. Therefore, simplifying the design, manufacture, installation, and operator animal management. This is achieved with a novel gate design which includes two parallel structural members which provide an infinite mounting point to connect the gates to slotted floor slats with a footplate. The footplate is mountable to the two parallel structural members on either side of the gate in a planar or reverse planar installation. 
     Thus, ensuring the securing to that floor slat slots with a minimum of two clamping bolts per footplate. The footplate can be vertically adjusted for uneven or bowed floor slats. The latch is fully protected for animal releasing on both sides, allows a gate to swing open from either end, and swing clockwise and counterclockwise. The latch provides total blockage at the latch connection to prevent animal movement between confinement areas. The latch is also mountable to gates that are stationary and when used with a c-bracket can allow the quick release of other confinement elements, such as feeder for maintenance or cleaning. The c-bracket can be mounted to stationary and non-stationary structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a modem confinement barn with a concrete exterior wall and floor slat panels install perpendicular to the longest side of the barn extending the width of the barn. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a fixed-gate assembly used for creating pen gating that does not move when secured to the floor or other permanent structure. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a fixed-gate assembly and the force components assuming the gate to be a welded rigid body. 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a fixed-gate assembly used for creating pen gating that does not move and has tabs attached that allow a swing-gate to attach or pivot. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of a swing-gate assembly with the exoskeletal latch assembly on both ends. The swing-gate assembly is opened and closed from either end and can swing clockwise or counterclockwise from either end. 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the gate rod assembly (also referred to as the hinge pin weldment) used inside of the exoskeletal latch assembly to latch or release a swing-gate assembly. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the exoskeletal latch assembly with the gate rod assembly installed and in the latched state. 
         FIG.  8    is a sectioned perspective view of the internal relationship between the exoskeletal latch assembly and the gate rod assembly in the latched state. 
         FIG.  9    is a sectioned side view of the internal relationship between the exoskeletal latch assembly and the gate rod assembly in the latched state (left) and unlatched state (right). 
         FIG.  10 A  is a perspective view of the footplate assembly with clamping straps and bolt hardware. Shown are the serrations that help secure the gate to the footplate. 
         FIG.  10 B  is a perspective view of a footplate assembly with a cast clamping strap. 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective reverse view of  FIG.  9    showing the are the reverse serrations that help secure the gate to the footplate. 
         FIG.  12 A  is a top view of the footplate with section views of both the vertical and horizontal casting profiles. 
         FIG.  12 B  is a sectioned top view of an offset footplate and cast clamp attached to a fixed-gate assembly spanning a vertical plate. 
         FIG.  13    is a sectioned prospective view of the footplate mounted to the fixed-gate assembly in a reverse planar mount. The view illustrates the below the gate t-bolt installation when the gate is positioned directly above a floor slat slot. 
         FIG.  14    is a footplate weldment assembly. 
         FIG.  15    is a side view of a footplate and the force components from a mounted gate and t-bolt anchors to the floor slat. 
         FIG.  16    is a top view of a fixed-gate mounted above and parallel to the floor slat slot and the footplate position options and the number of t-bolts that can connect to the floor slat. 
         FIG.  17    is a top view of a fixed-gate mounted above, parallel, and between two floor slat slots and the footplate position options and the number of t-bolts that can connect to the floor slat. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a fixed-gate assembly, perpendicular to the floor slat slots and footplate mounting options. 
         FIG.  19    is a perspective view of the typical gate combinations to create a feeder line, which is a series of gate combinations including a feeder to divide a barn into confinement area. 
         FIG.  20    is a perspective view of the typical gate combinations to create a divider line, which is a series of gate combinations to divide a barn into confinement areas. 
         FIG.  21    is a perspective view of a c-bracket used to connect swing-gates to other structures. 
         FIG.  22    is a side view of a fixed-gate that provides both tabs for a swing-gate assembly and has a latch connected to the feeder; wherein, the latch assembly is released and the feeder removed for repair or cleaning. 
         FIG.  23    is a side view of a feeder line with a fixed-gate assembly on either side of the feeder; wherein the feeder is secured to the floor and the right fixed-gate assembly has a swing-gate assembly attached to a tab. 
         FIG.  24    is a side view of a swing-gate assembly secured to a c-bracket, which is secured to a fixed structure, in this instance a building wall. 
         FIG.  25    is a side view of a fixed-gate assembly positioned to a wall and secured only to the floor with a footplate eliminating the need for securing the gate to the wall with bolts or concrete anchors. 
         FIG.  26    is a side view of two swing-gate assemblies connected to the end of a fixed-gate assembly; wherein this configuration is very common along a shared alley between two sets of confinement areas. 
         FIG.  27    is a prospective view of a spacer tab used to connect a gate to the footplate that does not have equal diameter longitudinally extending structural members. 
         FIG.  28    is a prospective view of fixed-gate unequal diameter longitudinally extending structural members connected to the footplate using a spacer tab. 
         FIG.  29    is a perspective view of a exoskeletal swing-gate assembly with formed latch assemblies, a exoskeletal fix-gate assembly with formed tab assemblies, secured to a floor slat with footplate assembly. 
         FIG.  30    is a perspective view of a exoskeletal swing-gate assembly with the formed latch assembly on both ends. The exoskeletal swing-gate assembly is opened and closed from either end and can swing clockwise or counterclockwise from either end. 
         FIG.  31    is a perspective view of a exoskeletal swing-gage assembly formed latch. The formed shapes and geometries structurally containing significant longitudinally extending members, longitudinally extending members and the latch pin assembly. 
         FIG.  32    is a section end view of a exoskeletal swing-gage assembly formed latch assembly. The formed shapes and geometries guide, contain, and secure the longitudinally extending members to the latch assembly upper and lower u-channel. 
         FIG.  33    is a section top view of an exoskeletal swing-gage assembly formed latch assembly. The formed shapes and geometries guide, contain, and secure the longitudinally extending members to the latch assembly. 
         FIG.  34    is a section top view of an exoskeletal swing-gage assembly formed latch assembly. The formed shapes and geometries guide, contain, and secure the hinge pin weldment within the latch assembly. 
         FIG.  35    is a perspective view of a exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly with the formed assembly on both ends with tabs and geometries structurally containing significant longitudinally extending members, and longitudinally extending members. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The typical animal production barn  10  is constructed of a series of at least one exterior, possibly at least one interior barn wall  11 , and divided into a number of confinement areas (also referred to as “pen” or “pens” throughout the disclosure). The at least one barn wall  11  extends into the earth creating a volumetric biowaste storage (not shown) below the supported at least one floor slat panel  13 . The at least one floor slat panel  13  has at least one floor slat slot  15  extruding through the at least one floor slat panel  13  providing biowaste flow to the biowaste storage below. The at least one floor slat slot  15  is also utilized to secure production hardware such as feeders, gating, and watering systems to the at least one floor slat panel  13 . 
     There are multiple floor slat panel  13  width and length configurations; and the at least one floor slat slot  15  is equally or unequally patterned linearly and laterally. For instance, the at least one floor slat panels  13  linearly aligned slots are two (2) linearly equal floor slat slot  15  as shown; two (2) slots of different lengths; three (3) slots configuration with the middle slot being longer than the two (2) slots on the sides; or any combination thereof. Slots are equally laterally patterned across the width of the at least one floor slat panel  13 . In one embodiment, the at least one floor slat panel  13  are reinforced cast concrete and drilling to secure penning equipment is not allowed due to degrading the structural integrity. 
     This disclosure teaches a method that eliminates the Gate Alignment Error (GAE), also referred to as “error” and “repetition error” throughout the disclosure, which drives the requirement for large footplates, as well as t-posts and square-posts. The gate alignment error herein is disclosed mathematically and is based on the Remainder Theory where results are the summation of an integer value (I) and a remainder (R), where 0≤R&lt;1. The numerator of the ratio is the barn length (L) divide by the number of desired confinement areas (N) and divided by denominator of the width (W) of the at least one floor slat panel  13  divided by the number of n−1 floor slat slots  15 , Equation 1. The remainder R, determines if the gate line centerlines repeat, alternatingly repeat, or effectively non-repeating. 
     
       
         
           
             
                 
               
                 
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                         0 
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                           repetition 
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                           error 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         0.5 
                         , 
                         
                           alternating 
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                           position 
                           ⁢ 
                               
                           requirement 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         other 
                         , 
                         
                           repetition 
                           ⁢ 
                               
                           error 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     For example, a standard barn  10  is two hundred (200) feet long, requires fifty (50) floor slat panels  13 , each four (4) feet wide, with eight (8) floor slat slots  15  is configured into eighteen (18) equal confinement areas or pens. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 ( 
                 
                   200 
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     The solution is I=19 and R=0.44, meaning the relative location of a gate line parallel to the floor slat slot  15  is not a repeating pattern, i.e. R≠0. Since it is not practical to make individual t- and square-posts for specific line positions, extra-large footplates  81  are made to universally fit non-repeating gate line locations, effectively an over production waste. 
     The remainder (R c ) for subsequent gate lines for this example are calculated using equation 2 (as provided below) and the results are R c (1)=0.44; R c (2)=0.88; R c (3)=0.32; . . . R c (n). For this example, the pattern would repeat after  25  gate line positions, thus for this example of a two hundred (200) foot barn, every gate line would be uniquely positioned between two floor slat slots  15 . 
         R   c ( g   c )= g   c   *R=I+R   c   |g   c =1, 2, . . . ,  n   Equation 2
 
     The distance a gate line centerline will be located from the centerline of the at least one floor slat slot  15  is calculated using equation 3 (as provided below). 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
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                   Equation 
                   ⁢ 
                       
                   3 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Thus, the distance for the third gate line centerline from the floor slat slot to a of gate line is calculated, given R c (3)=0.32. 
     
       
         
           
             
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               = 
               
                 0.183 
                     
                 ft 
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     If R=0, the gate line centerline will have the same relative position to the at least one floor slat slot  15  at every instance in a barn  10  installation. This location will either be repeatedly directly above the centerline of the at least one floor slat slot  15 . 
     If R=0.5, the gate line centerline will have the same, but alternating relative position to the at least one floor slat slot  15  at alternating instances in a barn  10  installation. The location will alternate from directly above the centerline of the at least one floor slat slot  15  and or equally centered between two floor slat slots  15  at then subsequent gate centerlines. 
     A repeating gate line, R=0, would occur by varying barn length and maintaining an 18-pen configuration at 72 ft, 144 ft, 216 ft, and every increment of 72 ft thereafter. This clearly alters the confinement area, which are typically driven by optimizing number of animals a feeder can service. 
     An alternating gate line, R=0.5, would occur by varying barn  10  length and maintaining an 18-pen configuration at 36 ft, 108 ft, 180 ft, and every increment of 72 ft thereafter. 
     The disclosed fixed-gate assembly (also referred to as “gate” throughout the disclosure)  20  ( FIG.  2   ) requires at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 . A structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  is defined as a member sufficient to transfer to the floor attaching method without yielding due to animal gate loading forces, such as pushing, pulling, lifting, and climbing. The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  are captured and welded in holes of the at least one vertical plate  23 . The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  provide an infinite horizontal mounting position between the at least one vertical plate  23  and the at least one vertical plate  23  parallel and offset. The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  provide for vertical positioning of the fixed-gate assembly  20 . In one embodiment, infinite longitudinally mounting positions are utilized. It is worth noting, vertical height positioning and rotation control are further discussed below. The at least one top structural longitudinally extending member  25  is shown as a standard piece of angle iron but may be comprised of any material or geometry required to increase the vertical and lateral strength of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . The remainder of the at least one longitudinally extending members  27  are typically not structurally significant, are cost driven, and are spaced to prevent animal movement between confinement areas. Furthermore, the longitudinally extending member  27  may be structurally equivalent to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  or of lessor structural value. Typically, a maximum distance between the lower structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  and the at least one longitudinally extending member  27  or an additional structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  is approximately 1⅝″ (inch) is required to prevent animals, such as weaned pigs, from moving between confinement areas. The gap requirement between the consecutive at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  or the at least one longitudinally extending member  27  increases as approaching the top of the at least one gate assembly  20 , since the penned animals increased height and girth increase with age. This gap and number of longitudinally extending members can vary based on the size of the housed animals. The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  is any geometry, solid or hollow, capable of transferring gate loading to vertical plate  23  without failure; and spaced vertically at any increment. The at least one vertical plate  23  can include any combination of mounting holes  24  used to secure the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  to additional gates, components, or building structures. The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  constructed of solid material geometries, such as round bar as shown, have proven to be easily cleanable and does not provide internal host site cavities for disease growth, thus, improving barn biosecurity effectiveness and animal well-being. The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is configured to be a fixed-gate or a swing-gate assembly  40  (also referred to as “gate” throughout the disclosure), disclosed later. Additionally, the welded steel fixed-gate assembly  20  have proven cost effective and promote excellent air movement ventilation. The at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  and the at least one longitudinally extending members  27  in combination and alternative combinations thereof, is consider structurally sufficient subsets capable of transferring animal gate loading to the floor attaching method without yielding. The welded steel fixed-gate assembly  20  when fully welded is defined as a rigid body. 
     The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , a rigid body, transfers the at least one animal force applied components F x1 , F y1 , F z1  to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces F x2 , F y2 , F z2  and structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces F x3 , F y3 , F z3  located at any axial position along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  (see  FIG.  3   ). 
     The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is configured with the at least one vertical plate  23  having at least one tab  29 , which has at least one cutout feature, such as a tab-slot  31  (see  FIG.  4   ). The at least one tab-slot  31  cut features are commonly a slot or round hole but may be any required geometry without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The at least one tab  29  is positioned on any side of any the at least one vertical plate  23 , or all the at least one vertical plate  23  forming a fixed-gate assembly  20 . The at least one tab  29  is shown as a welded component but could be attached by other methods such as bolting, riveting, crimping, or bonding without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the at least one tab  29  could be positioned and mounted similarly to the at least one swing-gate assembly  40 . 
     The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  disclosed in  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  3   , and  FIG.  4    with the at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  are typically used as stationary gates. The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  when secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13  is structurally sufficient to provide point of rotation for at least one swing-gate assembly  40  about at least one tab-slot  31 , in addition to preventing animal movement between confinement areas. 
     The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is configured with at least one latch assembly  50  (see  FIG.  5   ). The at least one latch assembly  50  has at least one hinge pin weldment  52  (see  FIG.  6   ), thus forming the at least one swing-gate assembly  40 . The at least one swing-gate assembly  40  does not require the at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  as the at least one swing-gate assembly  40  is not secured to the at least one floor slat  13 . The at least one latch assembly  50  when used with an apposing latch assembly  50  allows lifting the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  decoupling the at least one swing-gate assembly  40  from the at least one tab  29  (also referred to as “unlatched” throughout the disclosure). Thus, rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise direction about the at least one upper hinge pin  53  and lower hinge pin  55  which are captured (also referred to as “latched” throughout the disclosure) in the at least one apposing tab-slot  31 . The at least one latch assembly  50  is used on the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one swing-gate assembly  40 , the at least one wall  11 , or other gating or building elements and perform the latch and unlatch function as a fixed or moving latch assembly  50 . 
     The at least one hinge pin weldment  52  is disclosed as a welded assembly constrained to linear motion within the least one latch assembly  50  (see  FIG.  6   ). The at least one hinge pin weldment  52  includes the at least one upper hinge pin  53 , lower hinge pin  55 , hinge pin connector plate  57  and the at least one lift tab  59 . The at least one upper hinge pin  53  is approximately coaxial with the at least one lower hinge pin  55 . The at least one upper hinge pin  53  is welded to the at least one hinge pin connector plate  57  which is welded to the at least one lower hinge pin  55 . The spacing between the at least one upper hinge pin  53  and at least one lower hinge pin  55  allows the at least one swing-gate assembly  40  to be unlatched and rotated away from the at least one tab  29 , thus opening. 
     The at least one latch assembly  50  (see  FIG.  7   ), is formed by at least one u-channel  61  shape. The at least one formed u-channel  61  is formed by two relatively parallel planar surfaces of equal length, connected by the at least one radius bend  63  tangent to the two relatively parallel and apposing planar surfaces. The at least one radius bend  63  provides a load bearing and guide surface for the at least one upper hinge pin  53  and the at least one lower hinge pin  55  of the at least one hinge pin weldment  50 . The at least one radius bend  63  could be replaced with any surface profile that provides the required load bearing surfaces to support and hinge pin location, guiding, and linear motion of the latching function. 
     The at least one u-channel  61  has at least one tab relief slot  65  that allows the latch assembly  50  to align the at least one upper hinge pin  53 , at least one lower hinge pin  55  to normally align with the at least one tab-slot  31  in the at least one tab  29  which is secured to at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one wall  11 , the at least one feeder, stationary, or non-stationary barn elements. The at least one tab relief slot  65  height and width is sized to allow the swing-gate assembly  40  to easily unlatch, open, close and relatch. 
     The at least one u-channel  61  as shown is fabricated from thin material and the contact surface area of the at least one tab relief slot  65  with the at least one tab  29  is relatively minimal. This minimal contact area could result in excessive wear and premature failure. To obtain life expectation, requires increasing the contact surface area, the at least one wear plate  67  with an inner surface approximately the same as the outer surface of the at least one u-channel  61 , a greater outer perimeter and positioned parallel with the upper surface of the at least one tab relief slot  65  and welded. The at least one wear plate  67  in addition to improving the gate contact surface and wear, creates an exoskeletal structure when welded to the at least one u-channel  61  and the at least one vertical plate  23  increasing the lateral stiffness. The at least one u-channel  61  and the at least one wear plate  67  when welded or joined to other plate geometries other that the at least one vertical plate  23  allows for mounting of the at least one latch assembly  50  to other barn components or structures, stationary or moving as a bolt on feature. 
     The at least one hinge pin weldment  52  is positioned within the at least one latch assembly  50  from the top and constrained axially within the at least one u-channel  61  with the at least one bolt and nut  71 . The at least one bolt and nut  71  prevents the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  within the at least one latch assembly  40  from removal and loss due to accidental dropping into the biowaste pit. The axial positioning within the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  and the at least one u-channel  61  is further reinforced with the at least one pin guide  69 . 
     The at least one latch assembly  50  sectional view in  FIG.  8    shows the component and assembly relationships of the at least one hinge pin weldment  52 , the at least one latch assembly  50 , the at least one pin guide  69 , the at least one bolt and nut  71 , the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , the at least one longitudinally extending members  27 , and the at least one vertical plate  23  according to one embodiment. More clearly shown is how the vertical travel of the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  is limited by the at least one bolt and nut  71 , and the lower vertical travel is stopped by the at least one pin guide  69 . 
     A disclosed formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly (also referred to as “gate” throughout the disclosure)  22  ( FIG.  29   ) requires at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 . The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  are captured and welded to the at least one formed tab end assembly  46  ( FIG.  31   ). The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  can be captured and welded to the at least one formed latch assembly  44 , ( FIG.  30   ). The disclosed formed fixed-gate assembly  22  can be configured with any combination and number of formed tab assemblies  46 , formed latch assembly  44 , and vertical plates  23 . 
     The disclosed formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  with the at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  are captured and welded in holes of the at least one vertical plate  23  when required by length. The at least one top structural longitudinally extending member  25  is shown as a standard piece of angle iron but may be comprised of any material or geometry required to increase the vertical and lateral strength of the at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  42 . The remainder of the at least one longitudinally extending members  27  are typically not structurally significant, are cost driven, and are spaced to prevent animal movement between confinement areas. The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  is any geometry, solid or hollow, capable of transferring gate loading to the at least one formed latch assembly  44  and the at least one vertical plate  23  without failure; and spaced vertically at any increment. The at least one vertical plate  23  can include any combination of mounting holes  24  used to secure the at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  42  to additional gates, components, or building structures. 
     The disclosed formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  constructed of solid material geometries, such as round bar as shown, have proven to be easily cleanable and does not provide internal host site cavities for disease growth, thus, improving barn biosecurity effectiveness and animal well-being. 
     The welded steel formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  have proven cost effective and promote excellent air movement ventilation. The at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  and the at least one longitudinally extending members  27  in combination and alternative combinations thereof, is consider structurally sufficient subsets capable of transferring animal gate loading to the floor attaching method without yielding. The welded steel formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  when fully welded is defined as a rigid body. 
     The at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22 , a rigid body, transfers the at least one animal force applied components F x1 , F y1 , F z1  to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces F x2 , F y2 , F z2  and structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces F x3 , F y3 , F z3  located at any axial position along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  (see  FIG.  3   ). A disclosed formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly (also referred to as “gate” throughout the disclosure)  42  ( FIG.  29   ) requires at least one (1) structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 . The at least one (1) structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  are captured and welded to the at least one formed latch end assembly  44  ( FIG.  31   ). The at least one (1) structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  and the at least longitudinally extending member  27  can be captured and welded to the at least one formed tab end assembly  46 . The disclosed formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  can be configured with any combination and number of formed latch assembly  44 , formed tab assemblies  46  and vertical plates  23 . 
     The disclosed formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  with the at least one (1) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  are captured and welded in holes of the at least one vertical plate  23  when required by gate length. The at least one top structural longitudinally extending member  25  is shown as a standard piece of angle iron but may be comprised of any material or geometry required to increase the vertical and lateral strength of the at least one formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42 . The remainder of the at least one longitudinally extending members  27  are typically not structurally significant, are cost driven, and are spaced to prevent animal movement between confinement areas. The at least one (1) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  is any geometry, solid or hollow, capable of transferring gate loading to the at least one formed latch assembly  44 , the at least one formed tab end assembly  46 , and the at least one vertical plate  23  without failure; and spaced vertically at any increment. The at least one vertical plate  23  can include any combination of mounting holes  24  used to secure the at least one formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  to additional gates, components, or building structures. 
     The disclosed formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  constructed of solid material geometries, such as round bar as shown, have proven to be easily cleanable and does not provide internal host site cavities for disease growth, thus, improving barn biosecurity effectiveness and animal well-being. 
     The at least one formed latch assembly  44  ( FIG.  31   ) shows the component and assembly relationships of the at least one hinge pin weldment  52 , the at least one upper u-channel  62 , the at least one lower u-channel  64 , the at least one wear plate  67 , the at least one formed pin guide  70 , the at least one formed longitudinally extending member guide  72 , the at least one bolt and nut  71 , the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , and the at least one longitudinally extending members  27 . 
     The at least one formed tab end assembly  46  ( FIG.  35   ) shows the component and assembly relationships of the at least one upper u-channel  62 , the at least one lower u-channel  64 , the at least one tab  29 , the at least one formed longitudinally extending member guide  72 , the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , and the at least one longitudinally extending members  27 . 
     The at least one formed tab end assembly  46  and the at least one formed latch assembly  44  utilize at least one formed longitudinally extending member guide  72 , a metal deformation extending towards the longitudinally extending member with a mating radius to contact the outer surface of longitudinally extending member  27  ( FIG.  32   ). Parallel to the formed radius is the at least one attachment relief  74 . The at least one attachment relief  74  is void of material allowing the at least one formed latch assembly  44 , or the at least one formed tab end assembly  46  to be welded to the longitudinally extending member. The at least one formed longitudinally extending member guide  72  and the at least one attachment relief  74  are apposing about a central plane to capture the at least one longitudinally extending member  27 . The at least one formed longitudinally extending member guide  72  increases structural rigidity of the at least one formed tab end assembly  46  and the at least one formed latch assembly  44  and is commonly produced by a stamping process. The at least one attachment relief  74  is shown as a slot but could be any geometry that supports best assembly and production practices. 
     The at least one tab  29 , which has at least one cutout feature, such as a tab-slot  31  (see  FIG.  4   ). The at least one tab-slot  31  cut features are commonly a slot or round hole but may be any required geometry without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The at least one tab  29  is positioned in the at least one aperture located in the at least one upper u-channel  62 , the at least one aperture located in the at least one lower u-channel  64 , or at an aperture created by the upper and lower u-channels. The at least one tab  29  is shown as a welded component but could be attached by other methods such as bolting, riveting, crimping, or bonding without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the at least one tab  29  could be positioned and mounted similarly to the at least one formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  40 . 
     The at least one upper u-channel  62 , the at least one lower u-channel  64  of the at least one formed latch assembly  42  and the at least one form tab end assembly  46 . Due to the corrosive nature of confinement barns, the at least one lower u-channel  64  when made with properties of stainless steel improving the quality of the gating system while maintaining a cost value. The at least one upper u-channel  62 , the at least one lower u-channel  64  may be combined into a single part and singular material property. The at least one formed upper u-channel  62  and lower u-channel  64  is formed by two relatively parallel planar surfaces of equal length, connected by the at least one radius bend  63  tangent ( FIGS.  31  and  35   ) to the two relatively parallel and apposing planar surfaces. The at least one radius bend  63  provides a load bearing and guide surface for the at least one upper hinge pin  53  and the at least one lower hinge pin  55  of the at least one hinge pin weldment  50 . To retain the at least one hinge pin weldment  50  the at least one formed pin guide  70  and the at least one formed pin guide  70  are apposing about a central plane ( FIG.  33   ). The at least one formed pin guide  70  increases structural rigidity of the at least one formed latch assembly  44  and is commonly produced by a stamping process. The at least one radius bend  63  could be replaced with any surface profile that provides the required load bearing surfaces to support and hinge pin location, guiding, and linear motion of the latching function. 
     Additionally, both the at least one formed pin guide  70  and the at least one formed longitudinally extending member guide  72  can be added to the at least one formed tab end assembly  46  and the at least one formed latch assembly  44  to increase overall rigidity. 
     The at least one formed latch assembly  44  constrains the travel of the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  between the at least one bolt and nut  71 , and the at least one longitudinally extending member  27 . 
     The at least one disclosed formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  and the at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  with the at least one (1) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  are captured and welded in holes of the at least one vertical plate  23  as required by length. The at least one top structural longitudinally extending member  25  is shown as a standard piece of angle iron but may be comprised of any material or geometry required to increase the vertical and lateral strength of the at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  42 . The remainder of the at least one longitudinally extending members  27  are typically not structurally significant, are cost driven, and are spaced to prevent animal movement between confinement areas. The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  is any geometry, solid or hollow, capable of transferring gate loading to the at least one formed latch assembly  44  and the at least one vertical plate  23  without failure; and spaced vertically at any increment. The at least one vertical plate  23  can include any combination of mounting holes  24  used to secure the at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  42  to additional gates, components, or building structures. Hence forward: 
     The “fixed gate assembly” is used to represent a fixed gate assembly  20  and a formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  and the derivatives thereof, 
     The “swing-gate assembly” is used to represent a swing-gate assembly  40  and a formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  and the derivatives thereof; 
     The “latch assembly” is used represent a latch assembly  50  and a formed latch assembly  44  and the derivatives thereof; and 
     The “u-channel” is used to represent u-channel  61 , upper u-channel  62 , lower u-channel  64  and the derivatives thereof. 
     The at least one formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly  22  and the at least one formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly  42  perform as disclosed for latch assembly  50  swing-gate assembly  40  when installed and assembled in a barn  10  using all materials and methods disclosed, without limitation. 
     Additionally, the at least one bolt and nut  71  improves animal well-being by preventing the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  within the at least one latch assembly  50  from removal and being used to poke or strike animals. 
     The at least one latch assembly  50  open structure design supports washing and disinfecting to promote animal well-being and biosecurity. 
     According to one embodiment, the at least one u-channel  61  can be welded to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extended member  21  if extended through and beyond the at least one vertical plate  23  (not shown). 
     According to one embodiment, the at least one u-channel  61  can be welded to the at least longitudinally extended member  27  if extended through and beyond the at least one vertical plate  23  (not shown). 
     The disclosed at least one latch assembly  50  prevents animals, such as pigs, from accidentally opening the at least one swing-gate assembly  40  from either side of. 
     The disclosed at least one latch assembly  50  minimizes any gaps between the at least one swing-gate assembly  40  and the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one wall  11 , the at least one feeder  75 , and other production gating hardware without the need for additional components. 
     The at least one swing-gate assembly  40  and the relationship of the at least one latch assembly  50  and the at least one hinge pin weldment  52  in the at least one latched state  73  and the at least one unlatch state  75  are shown in the cross section of  FIG.  9   . 
     The at least one welded swing-gate assembly  40  is configured with at least one vertical plate  23  having at least one tab  29 , which has at least one cutout feature, such as a tab-slot  31 . The at least one tab-slot  31  cut feature are commonly a slot or round hole but may be any required geometry. The at least one tab  29  is positioned on any side, any of the at least one vertical plate  23 , or all of the at least one vertical plate  23  forming a swing-gate assembly  40 . The at least one tab  29  is a welded component but could be attached by other methods such as bolting, riveting, crimping, or bonding. 
     The at least one footplate assembly  80  includes at least one footplate  81 , at least one t-strap  83 , and at least one bolt, washer, and nut  85  (see  FIG.  10 A ). 
     The at least one footplate assembly  80   a  includes at least one footplate  82 , at least one cast strap  84 , and at least one bolt, washer, and nut  85  not shown (see  FIG.  10 B ). Furthermore, it is disclosed that attachment to the fix gate assembly  20  and the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  is with the at least one offset footplate gate slot  90 . The at least one offset footplate gate slot  90  allows securing the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  while spanning the at least one vertical plate  23  (see  FIG.  12 B ). 
     For proper installation of the at least one footplate assembly  80  to the at least one floor slat panel  13  through the at least one slat floor slot  15  the at least one t-bolt assembly  78  is required, but the most desirable installation comprises at least two (2) t-bolt assemblies  78 . The at least one t-bolt assembly  78  is a general reference to methods used to secure gating equipment to the at least one floor slat panel  13  used in housed animal production. 
     The at least one footplate  81  (also referred to as “footplate  82 ” throughout the disclosure, see  FIG.  11   ) is disclosed as a ductile iron casting with at least one H-profile  87  (see  FIG.  12 A ) section profile, and at least one footplate gate slot  89  both extending normal (vertical) to the at least one floor slat panel  13  a distance to allow the minimal clamping range of the at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . The at least one serration  91   a  is located on the at least one surface of H-profile  87 , mirrored about the at least one gate slot axis  93  of the at least one footplate gate slot  89  to create at least one serration  91   b . The at least one serration  91   a  and  91   b  are mirrored about the H-profile centerline plane  95  to create at least one serration  91   c  and  91   d . The at least one serrations  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c ,  91   d  are then patterned the length of the at least one H-profile  87 . The length of the H-profile legs  99  protruding normal to the H-profile centerline plane are equal distant allowing to the at least one footplate  81  to be planar  101  or reverse planar mount  103  and not requiring different clamp or bolting hardware. 
     When mounted in the planar mount  101  orientation, the at least one serration  91   c  and  91   d  contact the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 . When mounted in the reverse planar mount  103  orientation, the at least one serration  91   a  and  91   b  contact the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 . The importance of planar  101  and reverse planar mount  103  will be further discussed in the disclosure but significant to solving the problem of no singular mounting solution. The at least one H-profile  87  can be constant, non-linear, or step function profile. 
     A planar  101  mounting is defined when the at least one footplate  81  is secured to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  extending away from the said axial centerline of the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  and the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . A reverse planar mount  103  is defined when the at least one footplate  81  is secured to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  extending under said axial centerline of the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . Thus, there are four (4) mounting options to secure the at least one footplate  81  to the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , two (2) of which are options for planar  101  mounting and two (2) options for reverse planar  103  mounting insuring the at least one footplate  81  can be properly secured to the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  and at least one slat floor slot  15 . 
     As disclosed, the length of the at least one H-profile legs  99  is such to allow the at least one vertical plate  23  to be positioned between in either the planar mount  101  or reverse planar mount  103  orientation (see  FIG.  12 B ). This positioning option combined with any location along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  further improves the mounting options and eliminates the requirement for end of gate structures, and design specific gate lengths based on the at least one floor slat panel  13 . 
     The at least one H-profile  87  can be replaced by any geometrical profile that provides the required structural and manufacturable requirements for the functional requirements without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     The at least one footplate gate slot  89  is secured to the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  by securing to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  with at least one gate clamp  83 . The vertical positioning of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is assisted with the at least one serration  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c  or  91   d  which has at least one surface tangent to the outer profile of the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 . The at least one H-profile legs  99  being equal distance about the extruded vertical structure, the at least one t-strap  83  is used in either planar mount  101  or reverse planar mount  103  mounting orientation. The at least one gate clamp  83  has a t-tab that is inserted and rotated in the at least one gate slot  89 , and a hex or carriage bolt, flat washer and nut  85  are installed and tightened, constraining all degrees of gate movement, lateral, vertical, and rotational about the at least one structurally extending member  21 . 
     The at least one footplate floor slot  97  and floor slot casting profile  98  extend parallel to the at least one floor slat panel  13  allows for securing the at least one footplate  81  with at least one t-bolt assembly  78  through the at least one floor slat slot  15 . The at least one floor slot  97  must allow the installation of the at least one t-bolt assembly  78 , whereas the bolt axis of rotation centerline is between the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member centerline  105  and the vertical face of the H-profile  87  defined as the under gate t-bolt zone  106 . The required minimal distance of the at least one floor slot  97  is 1.5× the centerline distance between two consecutive floor slat slots  15 . This insures the securing of the at least one footplate  81  to the at least one floor slat panel  13  floor slat slot  15  and a second and parallel floor slat slot  15 . Thus, the at least one footplate assembly  80  is secured to the floor slat panel  13  with at the at least two (2) t-bolt assemblies  78 , when the at least one gate assembly  20  is mounted directly above and parallel to the at least one floor slat slot  15  and the at least one footplate  81  is mounted in the reverse planar mounting orientation  103 . Without the at least one footplate floor slot  97  extending under the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  in to the under gate t-bolt zone  106  the fixed-gate assembly would be secured with only a single bolt, which is not desirable, or the addition of the at least one foot plate  81  in an at least one footplate tandem mount  109  orientation is required, which increases floor space required and cost. 
       FIG.  13    shows a sectional view of the at least one reverse planar mount  103  orientation of the at least one footplate assembly  80 , connected to at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one floor slat panel  13  with the at least two (2) t-bolt assemblies  78 . In this configuration, the gate is secured and can withstand the forces applied by animals to the gate. 
     The at least one footplate gate slot  89  and H-profile  87  must be of sufficient structure to prevent failure. 
     The at least one footplate gate slot  89  and H-profile  87  must have smooth profiles and edge radius to promote animal well-being. 
     The at least one footplate floor slot  97  and floor slot casting profile  107  must be of sufficient structure to prevent failure. 
     The at least one footplate floor slot  97  and floor slot casting profile  107  must have smooth profiles and edge radius to promote animal well-being. 
     The at least one footplate gate slot  89  and the at least one footplate floor slot  97  is open or closed slots. 
     The at least one footplate floor slot  89  and floor slot casting profile  107  must be of sufficient width so when used in an installation parallel to the at least one floor slat slot  15  it will span the width of with sufficient supporting surface area. 
     The at least one footplate  81  is vertically adjustable relative to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  to compensate for floor height variations. The floor variation due to sagging of the at least one floor slat panel  13  between floor span supports is common in older barns. 
     The at least one footplate floor slot  89  and floor slot casting profile  107  are disclosed as symmetrical but can be any dimensional relationship. 
     The at least one footplate gate slot  89  and H-profile  87  are disclosed as symmetrical but can be any dimensional relationship. 
     Ductile iron cast parts are proven to meet structural requirements; sufficiently resistant to the corrosive biowaste environment; elimination of stress concentration associated with failure or poor performance; eliminates waste associated with plate fabrication techniques, which are especially costly in stainless steel welded assemblies; supports high volume production; is cost effective; and eliminates all sharp edges associated with thermal cutting and shearing processes which may, and have had adverse effects on animal well-being. 
     Furthermore, this disclosure provides a method of forming the at least one welded footplate assembly  110  according to the many possible configurations (see  FIG.  14   ). The at least one welded footplate assembly  110  is typically formed by thermal cut parts that are planar, planar and bent, and then welded to for the similar geometry and function disclosed in the at least one footplate  81  ductile iron casting. The at least one side plate  111 , and at least one formed center plate  113  containing at least one gate slot  89  extending normal (vertical) to the at least one floor slat panel  13  a distance to allow the clamping to the at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . The at least one serration  91   a  is located on the at least one side plate  111 , mirrored about a plane located on the centerline of the at least one gate slot  88  to create at least one serration  91   b . The at least one serration  91   a  and  91   b  are mirrored about formed center plate  113  mid-plane to create at least one serration  91   c  and  91   d  (not shown). The at least one serrations  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c ,  91   d  are then patterned the length of the at least one side plate  111 . The combining of the at least one side plate  111  and the at least one formed center plate  113  form a H-structure with at least one H-profile legs  99  that the at least one serration  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c  or  91   d  are equal distant from the H-plane centerline plane  95 , thus allowing to the at least one footplate  81  to be planar mount  101  and reverse planar mount  103  as previously disclosed in the cast configuration of the disclosure. The at least one formed center plate  113  creates the same floor plate slot  97  capabilities as presented in prior cast footplate  81  disclosure. Specifically, when mounted in the reverse planar mount, the foot plate floor slot  97  length and positioning allows for the at least one t-bolt assembly  78  to be positioned in the under gate bolt zone  106  and longitudinally extending for the at least one t-bolt assembly  78  to secured to an additional parallel floor slat slot  15 . Unlike the at least one footplate  81 , the at least one footplate welded assembly  110 , has lower production rates, excessive material losses due to scrap, and sharp edges that could cause injury to the housed animals. Both would provide the identical solution to the formal problem statement. There could be additional variations, based on this disclosure. The importance of being able to reverse planar mount will be further discussed in the disclosure but is required to solve the current problem of no universal mounting solution. 
     The at least one H-profile legs  99  that the at least one serration  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c  or  91   d  do not have to be equal distant, parallel, or mirrored about the at least one H-plane centerline plane  95  of the at least one footplate  81  or the at least one welded footplate assembly  110 . The at least one H-profile legs  99  that the at least one serration  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c  or  91   d  do not have to be equal distant, parallel, or mirrored about the at least one gate slot axis  93  of the at least one footplate  81  or the at least one welded footplate assembly  110 . 
     The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is defined as a rigid body which transfers the at least one animal force applied components F x1 , F y1 , F z1  to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces F x2 , F y2 , F z2  and structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces F x3 , F y3 , F z3  located at any position along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  (see  FIG.  3   ). When connected to the at least one footplate  81 , the at least footplate equal and opposite component forces F x4 , F y4 , F z4  and footplate component opposite forces F x5 , F y5 , F z5  transfer loading through the at least one footplate  81 , assumed a rigid body, to the at least one footplate t-bolt component forces F x6 , F y6 , F z6  and footplate t-bolt component forces F x7 , F y7 , F z7  at the securing locations of the at least one t-bolt  78  (see  FIG.  15   ). 
     The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is orientated parallel to the at least one slat floor slot  15 . Furthermore, there are two positions which can be utilized: 1) the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is positioned directly above the at least one slat floor slot  15  (see  FIG.  16   ), and 2) the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is positioned equally between two slat floor slots  15  (see  FIG.  17   ). The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  may also be mounted perpendicular to the at least one slat floor slot  15  (see  FIG.  18   ). It is noted that the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  could be mounted in any angular orientations to the at least one floor slat panel  13 . The at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , when secured to the footplate assembly  80 , prevent rotation about the axis of the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  maintaining the fixed-gate assembly  20  normal to the at least floor slat panel  13 . The flexibility of the mounting position of the at least one footplate assembly  80  eliminates all constraints on fixed-gate assembly  20  lengths. Furthermore, a more robust gating solution is achieved with the simple installation of additional footplate assemblies  80  or more equal spacing along a gate line, no longer constrained by a requirement for t- or square-posts at the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  end connections. 
     In  FIG.  16   , the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  (top structural longitudinally extending member  25  removed) is shown installed directly above the at least one slat floor slot  15 , and at least three options for securing to the at least one floor slat panel  13  are presented. These options include the following: 1) securing the at least one floor slat panel  13  to the at least one footplate planar mount  101 , 2) securing the at least one floor slat panel  13  to the at least one footplate reverse planar mount  103 , and/or 3) securing the at least one floor slat panel  13  to the at least one footplate tandem mount  109 . All mounting orientations are secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13  with the at least one t-bolt assembly  78 . Furthermore, the at least one footplate tandem mount  109  comprises two apposing footplates  81  which are compressed to the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  using the at least one bolt, washer, and nut  85 . The at least one footplate tandem mount  109  is secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13  with the at least one t-bolt assembly  78 . The at least one footplate planar mount  101  and the at least one footplate reverse planar mount  103  is mountable to either side of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . The at least one footplate  81  is positioned at any location along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  horizontally or vertically in best proximity to the at least one vertical plate  23  and the at least one floor slat slot  15 , in order to compensate for any uneven floor conditions. The at least two structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , when secured to the footplate assembly  80 , prevent rotation about the axis of the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  which maintains the fixed-gate assembly normal to the at least one floor slat panel  13 . The flexibility of mounting position of the at least one footplate assembly  80  eliminates all constraints on fixed-gate assembly  20  lengths. The at least one footplate assembly  80  does not need to be positioned at the joint of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . Furthermore, a more robust gating solution is achieved with the simple addition of the at least one footplate assembly  80 . In one embodiment, the at least one footplate assembly  80  is spaced more equally along a gate line improving the gate installation quality. The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  and the at least one footplate assembly  80 , in any configuration  101 / 103 / 109  eliminates the need to design gate joints at locations so as to install historical posts, t-posts and/or a large footplate to correctly intersect the at least one floor slat slot  15  at locations where the at least one t-bolt assembly  78  is installed. 
     In  FIG.  17   , the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  (top structural longitudinally extending member  25  removed) is shown installed directly between the at least two floor slat slots  15 . There are at least two options for securing the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  to the at least one floor slat panel  13  which include the following: 1) securing the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  to the at least one footplate planar mount  101  on either side of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , or 2) securing the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  to the at least one footplate tandem mount  109 . All mounting orientations are secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13  with the at least one t-bolt assembly  78 . The at least one footplate  81  is positioned at any location along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  in a horizontal or vertical manner in order to provide the best proximity to the at least one vertical plate  23  and the at least one floor slat slot  15 , and compensate for any uneven floor conditions. The at least two structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , when secured to the footplate assembly  80 , prevent rotation about the axis of the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  maintaining the fixed-gate assembly normal to the at least one floor slat panel  13 . The flexibility of mounting position of the at least one footplate assembly  80  eliminates all constraints on fixed-gate assembly  20  lengths. The at least one footplate assembly  80  does not need to be positioned at the joint of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . Furthermore, a more robust gating solution is achieved with the simple addition of the at least one footplate assembly  80 . The at least one footplate assembly  80  is spaced more equally along a gate line improving the gate installation quality. The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  and the at least one footplate assembly  80  in any configuration  101 ,  103 , and  109  eliminates the need to design gate joints at locations so as to install historical posts, t-posts, and a large footplate correctly intersect the at least one floor slat slot  15  at locations where the at least one t-bolt assembly  78  is installed. 
     In  FIG.  18   , a barn gating assembly  120  the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is installed perpendicular to the at least one slat floor slot  15 . The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  may be installed perpendicular to the at least one floor slat slot  15  with any of the following methods: 1) the at least one footplate planar mount  101 , 2) the at least one footplate reverse planar mount  103 , and/or 3) the at least one footplate tandem mount  109 . The at least one footplate planar mount  101  and the at least one footplate reverse planar mount  103  are mountable to either side of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . The at least one footplate  81  may be positioned at any location along the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 , horizontally or vertically, in best proximity to the at least one vertical plate  23  and the at least one floor slat slot  15 , and compensate for any uneven floor conditions. The flexibility of mounting position of the at least one footplate assembly  80  eliminates all constraints on fixed-gate assembly  20  lengths. The at least one footplate assembly  80  does not need to be positioned at the joint of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 . Furthermore, a more robust gating solution is achieved with the simple installation of additional footplate assemblies  80  or more equal spacing along a gate line. The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  and the at least one footplate assembly  80 , in any configuration  101 / 103 / 109  eliminates the need to design gate joints at locations so as to install historical posts, t-posts, and a large footplate to correctly intersect the at least one floor slat slot  15  at locations where the at least one t-bolt assembly  78  is installed. 
     All components including, but not limited to, floor slat panels  13 , fixed-gate assemblies  20 , structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , vertical plates  23 , longitudinally extending members  27 , and swing-gate assemblies  40  are comprised of steel, ductile iron, or stainless steel. However, all components may be made with any material, combination of materials, or material and coating combinations that provide the required strength, animal welfare, and service life requirements without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     The physical dimensions, such as length, width, height, or material thickness, of all components may be altered to optimize any or all performance criteria without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     Furthermore, it should be noted, in one arrangement, the gating system comprises at least one feeder line  121  (see  FIG.  19   ). The feeder line  121  may comprise any combination of components including, but not limited to, at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , at least one swing-gate assembly  40 , at least one footplate assembly  80 , at least one feeder  123 , at least one floor slat panel  13 , and at least one wall  11 . As a result, an infinite number of gating combinations and orientations are possible without departing from the disclosure. 
     In one arrangement, the gating system comprises at least one divider gate line  125  (see  FIG.  20   ). The divider gate line  125  may comprise any combination of components including, but not limited to, at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , at least one footplate assembly  80 , at least one floor slat panel  13 , and at least one wall  11 . As a result, an infinite number of gating combinations and orientations are possible without departing from the disclosure. 
     The at least one feeder line  121  and the at least one divider gate line  125  are connected by the at least one wall  11 , and the at least one swing-gate  40  to form a pen. The at least one swing-gate  40  in conjunction with opposing pen or wall forms an alley to move animals in and out and about the facility. As previously stated, the at least one swing-gate  40  can swing clockwise or counter-clockwise about either end of the gate. 
     In one arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  21   , the at least one c-bracket  127  has at least one tab  29  which is bent or welded to a plate with the at least one tab-slot  31  and the at least one c-bracket slot  129 . The at least one c-bracket  127  is mounted to the at least one wall  11 , the at least one feeder  123 , the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one swing-gate assembly  40 , or any other element within a barn  10  to provide a location to secure to the at least one latch assembly  50 . 
     In one arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  22   , the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is configured with the at least on tab  29  and the at least one latch assembly  50  to create a gate that provides a pivot point for the at least one swing-gate  40  (not shown) about the at least one tab  29 , and a feeder c-bracket. A feeder c-bracket is the combination of the at least one latch assembly  50  and the at least one c-bracket  127 . The at least one feeder  123  is rigidly mount to the at least one floor slat panel  13  or mounted to a gate with a means to release it for service or cleaning. The addition of the at least c-bracket  127  bolted to the feeder  123  allows the feeder  123  to be secured to or removed from the at least one feeder gate line  121  with the at least one latch assembly  50 . This demonstrates the versatility of the at least one latch assembly  50 , eliminating the need for additional connection solutions between the gate and feeder  123 . Also, clearly visible is the complete blocking of animal movement between confinement areas by the at least one latch assembly  50  latched to the at least c-bracket  127  bolted to the at least one feeder  123 . 
     In one arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  23   , when the feeder  123  is to be secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13 , the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  is configured, with or without the at least one tab  29 , to be secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13 , using at least one footplate assembly  80 . The configuration of the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  with combinations of the at least one tab  29 , and the at least one latch assembly  50  meets all pen configuration requirements. This provides the complete blocking of animal movement between confinement areas by the at least one latch assembly  50  latched to the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  with the at least one tab  29 . 
     In one arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  24   , the at least one swing-gate assembly  40  and the at least one c-bracket  127  are secured to the at least one wall  11 . Although not shown, the at least one c-bracket  127 , is mounted singularly or in in apposing pairs to any structure including the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one swing-gate  40 , the at least one wall  11 , the at least one feeder  123 , and any other gating or building structure. Like previously shown in the feeder c-bracket installation, the at least one latch assembly  50  and the at least one c-bracket  127  completely and simply block animal movement between confinement areas without any additional hardware. 
     In one arrangement, the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20  with two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 , and at least one footplate assembly  80  are positioned in order to intersect the at least one floor slat slot  15  and provide a rigid and simplified gating installation for non-swing-gate installations butting up to the at least one wall  11 , of the at least one feeder line  121  and the at least one divider line  125 . 
     In one arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  26   , the alley gate, as commonly referred to, is a swing-gate assembly  40  that connects between the at least one feeder line assembly  121  and the at least one divider line  125 . This configuration places two latch assemblies  50  connected to the at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , and at least one tab  29 . This configuration provides the complete blocking of animal movement between confinement areas or alleys by the at least one latch assembly  50 . 
     In another arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  27   , the gating system comprises at least one compensation t-strap  131  which includes at least one compensation t-strap offset tab  133 , an integral element of a fabricated part. In one arrangement, as shown in  FIG.  28   , the at least one compensation t-strap  131  may be positioned between the at least one longitudinally extending member  27  and the at least one at least one footplate  81  in order to compensate for diameter variations between the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21  and the at least one longitudinally extending member  27 . The at least one fixed-gate assembly  20 , the at least one structurally significant longitudinally extending member  21 , and the at least one longitudinally extending member  27  are secured to the at least one at least one footplate  81  with the at least one compensation t-strap  131  and the at least one t-strap  83  to form a defined gate assembly. The defined gate assembly is then secured to the at least one floor slat panel  13  with the at least t-bolt assembly  78 . 
     In another arrangement, as one example, the at least one footplate  81  can provide structural support for gates, posts, farrowing crates, gestation stalls, divider gates, fan guards, and many more confinement barn penning components. 
     In another arrangement, a farrowing crate, gestation pen, or any other gate style panel when configured with at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  is mountable to the at least one floor slat panel  13  using the same method as described herein. As a result, any configuration of a gate configured with at least two structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21  is contemplated by the disclosure. 
     Furthermore, when a farrowing and gestation pen door is configured with the at least two (2) structurally significant longitudinally extending members  21 , the configuration may be any geometry and may be solid or hollow without departing from the disclosure. Additionally, the configuration can transfer gate loading to a vertical plate  23  without failure. The configuration may be spaced vertically at any increment without departing from the disclosure. 
     This disclosure provides an improved gating system and method for confinement pen construction which efficiently and completely creates a confinement animal penning solution for gating, farrowing, and gestation gating. In one arrangement, as an example, the gating system may include the following components: at least one fixed-gate assembly with two structurally significant longitudinally extending members  20 ; at least one cast footplate assembly  80 ; at least one swing-gate assembly  50 ; and at least one c-bracket  127 . However, as provided above, the gating system may include more or less components, depending on the specific needs for the particular gating system, without departing from the disclosure. It is to be noted that all components and assemblies will (1) satisfy maintaining animal well-being, and (2) are capable of high production manufacturing methods, such as thermal cutting, casting, and robotic welding. 
     It should also be appreciated from the foregoing description that, except when mutually exclusive, the features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with features of other embodiments as desired while remaining within the intended scope of the disclosure. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the disclosed embodiments and implementations, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosed subject matter to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the claims. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  barn 
           11  wall 
           13  floor slat panel 
         floor slat slot 
         fixed-gate assembly 
           21  structurally significant longitudinally extending member 
           22  formed exoskeletal fixed-gate assembly 
           23  vertical plate 
           24  mounting holes 
         top structural longitudinally extending member 
           27  longitudinally extending member 
           29  tab 
           31  tab-slot 
           40  swing-gate assembly 
           42  formed exoskeletal swing-gate assembly 
           44  formed latch assembly 
           46  formed tab end assembly 
           50  latch assembly 
           52  hinge pin weldment 
           53  upper hinge pin 
           55  lower hinge pin 
           57  hinge pin connector plate 
           59  lift tab 
           61  u-channel 
           62  upper u-channel 
           63  radius 
           64  lower u-channel 
           65  tab relief slot 
           67  wear plate 
           69  pin guide 
           70  formed pin guide 
           71  bolt and nut 
           72  formed longitudinally extending member guide 
           73  latch closed state 
           74  attachment relief 
           75  latch open state 
           77  relief longitudinally extending member guide 
           78  t-bolt assembly 
           80  footplate assembly 
           80   a  offset footplate assembly 
           81  footplate 
           82  offset footplate 
           83  t-strap 
           84  cast clamp 
           85  bolt, washer and nut 
           87  H-profile 
           89  footplate gate slot 
           90  offset footplate gate slot 
           91   a  serration 
           91   b  serration 
           91   c  serration 
           91   d  serration 
           93  gate slot axis 
           95  H-profile centerline plane 
           97  footplate floor slot 
           98  floor slot casting profile 
           99  H-profile legs 
           101  planar mount 
           103  reverse planar mount 
           105  structurally significant longitudinally extending member centerline 
           106  under gate t-bolt zone 
           107  floor slot casting profile 
           109  footplate tandem mount 
           110  welded footplate assembly 
           111  side plate 
           113  formed center plate 
           120  barn gating 
           121  feeder gate line 
           123  feeder 
           125  divider gate line 
           127  c-bracket 
           129  c-bracket slot 
           131  compensation t-strap 
           133  compensation t-strap offset tab 
         Free Body Diagram Notation 
         F x1 , F y1 , F z1  animal force applied components 
         F x2 , F y2 , F z2  structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces 
         F x3 , F y3 , F z3  structurally significant longitudinally extending member component forces 
         F x4 , F y4 , F z4  footplate component forces 
         F x5 , F y5 , F z5  footplate component forces 
         F x6 , F y6 , F z6  footplate t-bolt component forces 
         F x7 , F y7 , F z7  footplate t-bolt component forces