Patent Publication Number: US-9416571-B1

Title: Swinging double gate latch with a lock pin

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of gate latches are known in the prior art. However, what is needed is a swinging double gate latch including a vertical beam disposed on an end portion of a fence, having a right side, a left side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and back side. What has further been needed is an outer mounting plate disposed on the left side of the vertical beam proximal each of the top side and the bottom side of the beam, with an annual collar centrally disposed on each of the outer mounting plates. In addition, what has been needed is an inner mounting plate disposed on the left side of the vertical beam proximal each of the outer mounting plates, a pair of latches comprising an upper latch and a lower latch, with each of the upper latch and the lower latch further comprising a front flap and a rear stopper flap, and a U-shaped mount having a pair of outer ends and a center support. Lastly, what has further been needed is a handle that pivotally engages the mount center support, a chain having a bottom end that is attached to the beam, and a locking pain on the chain that is configured to prevent the pivotal engagement of the handle with the mount center support. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gate latches, and more particularly, to a swinging double gate latch with a lock pin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present swinging double gate latch with a lock pin, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a gate latch which has many novel features that result in a swinging double gate latch with a lock pin which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
     To accomplish this, the present swinging double gate latch with a lock pin comprises a vertical beam disposed on an end portion of a fence, the vertical beam having a right side disposed on the fence end portion, a left side, a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a back side. An outer mounting plate is disposed on the left side of the vertical beam proximal each of the top side and the bottom side. An inner mounting plate is disposed on the left side of the vertical beam proximal each of the outer mounting plates in a position between the outer mounting plates. Each inner mounting plate has an exterior side and an interior side. An annular collar is centrally disposed on each of the outer mounting plates. A pair of latches comprises an upper latch and a lower latch, with each of the upper latch and the lower latch comprising a front flap and a rear stopper flap. Each of the rear stopper flaps has a front end and a rear end, with the rear end statically disposed on the interior side of the respective inner mounting plate. A U-shaped mount has a pair of outer ends and a center support therebetween that is disposed proximal the top side of the vertical beam. One of the outer ends is disposed on each of the front side and the back side of the vertical beam proximal the top side. A handle pivotably engages the center support on the U-shaped mount. A continuous shaft rotationally engages the collars. The continuous shaft is disposed between the front flap and the rear stopper flap and is in operational communication with the handle. The front flap is disposed on the shaft. A chain has a top end and a bottom end, and the bottom end is attached to the beam. A locking pin is disposed on the top end of the chain, and the locking pin is configured to prevent pivotal engagement of the handle with the center support of the U-shaped mount. 
     The latches have an open position and a closed position. The latches are in the open position when the front flap and the rear stopper flap are disposed perpendicular to each other. The latches are in the closed position when the end portion of a gate is disposed between the front flap and the rear stopper flap, and the front flap and the rear stopper flap are disposed parallel to each other. 
     Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present swinging double gate latch with a lock pin so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric view showing the latches in an open position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front isometric view showing the latches in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view showing the latches in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a back elevation view showing the latches in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 5  thereof, an example of the instant swinging double gate latch with a lock pin employing the principles and concepts of the present swinging double gate latch with a lock pin and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the present swinging double gate latch with a lock pin  10  is illustrated. The swinging double gate latch with a lock pin  10  includes a vertical beam  20  disposed on an end portion of a fence  22 . The vertical beam  20  has a right side  24  disposed on the end portion of the fence  22 , a left side  26 , a top side  28 , a bottom side  30 , a front side  32 , and a back side  34 . An outer mounting plate  36  is disposed on the left side  26  of the vertical beam  20  proximal each of the top side  28  and the bottom side  30 . An inner mounting plate  38  is disposed on the left side  26  of the vertical beam  20  proximal each of the outer mounting plates  36  in a position between the outer mounting plates  36 . Each of the inner mounting plates has an exterior side  40  and an interior side  42 . An annular collar  44  is centrally disposed on each of the outer mounting plates  36 . A pair of latches  46  comprises an upper latch  48  and a lower latch  50 , with each of the upper latch  48  and the lower latch  50  further comprising a front flap  52  and a rear stopper flap  54 . Each of the rear stopper flaps  54  has a front end  56  and a rear end  58 , with the rear end  58  statically disposed on the interior side  42  of the respective inner mounting plate  38 . A U-shaped mount  60  has a pair of outer ends  62  and a center support  64  therebetween disposed proximal the top side  28  of the vertical beam  20 . One of the outer ends  66  is disposed on each of the front side  32  and the back side  34  of the vertical beam  20  proximal the top side  28 . A handle  68  pivotably engages the center support  64  of the U-shaped mount  60 . A continuous shaft  70  rotationally engages the collars  44 , and the shaft  70  is disposed between the front flap  52  and the rear stopper flap  54 . The shaft  70  is in operational communication with the handle  68 . The front flap  52  is disposed on the shaft  70 . A chain  72  has a top end  74  and a bottom end  76 . The bottom end  76  is attached to the vertical beam  20 . A locking pin  78  is disposed on the top end  74  of the chain  72 , and the locking pin is configured to prevent pivotal engagement of the handle  68  with the center support  64  of the U-shaped mount  60 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 1 , the latches  46  have an open position. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the latches  46  have an alternate closed position.