Patent Publication Number: US-11377886-B1

Title: Oblique slide latch apparatus

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/768,904 filed Nov. 17, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a latch apparatus, particularly relates to a latch apparatus having a lever, and specifically relates to a latch apparatus having a lever where the lever draws a latch out of engagement with a post of a gated barrier and then draws the latch back into engagement with the post of the gated barrier. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A two action latch is something like a two step authentication or verification method to sign into an email account or secure website. A two action latch requires a first independent mechanical step and a second independent mechanical step prior to the gate of the gated barrier being capable of swinging from a closed position to an open position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A feature of the present invention is the provision in a latch apparatus, of a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and of a latch slidably engaged to the housing, where the latch extends out the distal end of the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the latch slidable along a straight axis, where the latch includes a latch distal end portion that engages an object. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the latch having a straight channel with an upper end straight portion and a lower end straight portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of a lever where the lever includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and where the lever is pivotably engaged to the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the distal end portion of the lever having a first peg, where the first peg extends laterally such that, when the lever is pivoted, a travel of the first peg defines a first arc. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the first peg of the lever engaging the straight channel of the latch. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the straight channel being oblique relative to the straight axis along which the latch slides. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of, when the lever is pivoted one way, the first peg traveling along the first arc from the upper end straight portion of the straight channel to the lower end straight portion of the straight channel and thereby slidingly drawing the latch toward the proximal end of the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of, when the lever is pivoted opposite of such one way, the first peg traveling along the first arc from the lower end straight portion of the straight channel to the upper end straight portion of the straight channel and thereby slidingly drawing the latch away from the proximal end of the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the lever being pivotably engaged to the housing by a pivot pin laterally engaging the housing and lever, where the latch includes a slot that extends in a direction that the latch slides, and where the slot engages the pivot pin. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the distal end portion of the lever including a second peg, where the second peg extends laterally such that, when the lever is pivoted, a travel of the second peg defines a second arc, where the latch includes a latch edge, and where the second peg slides on the latch edge when the latch is drawn toward the distal end of the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the lever having an open position and a closed position, where when the lever is in the open position the first peg is disposed distally of the second peg, and where when the lever is in the closed position the first peg is disposed distally of the second peg. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the lever having an open position and a closed position, where when the lever is in the open position the first peg is disposed at a greater altitude than the second peg, and where when the lever is in the closed position the first peg is disposed at a greater altitude than the second peg. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the latch including a latch head and a latch neck, where the latch head includes a greater width than the latch neck, where at least a portion of the latch neck is engaged in the housing, where the latch head is disposed outside of the housing when the lever is in the open position and when the lever is in the closed position, and where the straight channel is formed in the latch head. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the latch including a latch head and a latch neck, where the latch head includes a greater width than the latch neck, where at least a portion of the latch neck is engaged in the housing, where the latch head is disposed outside of the housing when the lever is in the open position and when the lever is in the closed position, where the latch head includes outer faces, where the lever includes inner faces, and where the inner faces of the lever extend over and are adjacent to the outer faces of the latch head. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the latch including a latch head and a latch neck, where the latch head includes a greater width than the latch neck, where at least a portion of the latch neck is engaged in the housing, where the latch head is disposed outside of the housing when the lever is in the open position and when the lever is in the closed position, where the latch head includes a U-shaped channel formed in part by first and second latch sides, and where the first latch side extends distally of the second latch side. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the first peg including a cylindrical portion. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the second peg including a peg edge with first and second peg edge portions, where the first peg edge portion engages the latch edge when the lever is in the closed position, and where the second peg edge portion engages the latch edge when the lever is in the open position. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of the lever being springless. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; of a latch slidably engaged to the housing, where the latch extends out the distal end of the housing, where the latch is slidable along a straight axis, where the latch includes a latch distal end portion that engages the object, and where the latch includes a channel with an upper end portion and a lower end portion; of a lever having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, where the lever is pivotably engaged to the housing, where the distal end portion of the lever includes a first peg, where the first peg extends laterally such that, when the lever is pivoted, a travel of the first peg defines a first arc, and where the first peg of the lever engages the channel of the latch such that: i) when the lever is pivoted one way, the first peg travels along the first arc from the upper end portion of the channel to the lower end portion of the channel and thereby slidingly draws the latch toward the proximal end of the housing; and ii) when the lever is pivoted opposite of said one way, the first peg travels along the first arc from the lower end portion of the channel to the upper end portion of the straight channel and thereby slidingly draws the latch away from the proximal end of the housing; and of the distal end portion of the lever including a second peg, where the second peg extends laterally such that, when the lever is pivoted, a travel of the second peg defines a second arc, where the latch includes a latch edge, and where the second peg slides on the latch edge when the latch is drawn toward the distal end of the housing. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a latch apparatus, of a housing having a proximal end and a distal end; of a latch slidably engaged to the housing, where the latch extends out the distal end of the housing, where the latch is slidable along a straight axis, where the latch includes a latch distal end portion that engages the object, where the latch includes a channel with an upper end portion and a lower end portion; of a lever having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, where the lever is pivotably engaged to the housing, where the distal end portion of the lever includes a first peg, where the first peg extends laterally such that, when the lever is pivoted, a travel of the first peg defines a first arc, where the first peg of the lever engages the channel of the latch such that: i) when the lever is pivoted one way, the first peg travels along the first arc from the upper end portion of the channel to the lower end portion of the channel and thereby slidingly draws the latch toward the proximal end of the housing; and ii) when the lever is pivoted opposite of said one way, the first peg travels along the first arc from the lower end portion of the channel to the upper end portion of the channel and thereby slidingly draws the latch away from the proximal end of the housing; and of the latch including a latch head and a latch neck, where the latch head includes a greater width than the latch neck, where at least a portion of the latch neck is engaged in the housing, where the latch head is disposed outside of the housing when the lever is in the open position and when the lever is in the closed position, where the latch head includes outer faces, where the lever includes inner faces, and where the inner faces of the lever extend over and are adjacent to the outer faces of the latch head; and of the channel being formed in the latch head. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the lengthwise size of the latch apparatus is minimized. One feature that contributes to this advantage is the channel that is obliquely oriented and that is engaged when the lever is opened. Another feature that contributes to this advantage is the placement of the oblique channel in the head of the latch. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the latch slides straight and true with minimum wobble. One feature that contributes to this advantage is the first peg that engages the oblique channel on the head of the latch. A second feature that contributes to this advantage is the second peg that engages an edge of the head of the latch. A third feature that contributes to this advantage is that the entire latch, including the head of the latch, is disposed between sides of the lever. Each of the first and second pegs continuously relatively slides on its respective portion of the head of the latch so as to continuously engage the head of the latch while the latch slides into and out of the housing. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that a pinching of fingers is minimized. One feature contributing to this advantage is that the widest portion of the latch apparatus is the lever. The distance between inner sides of the lever is greater than the distance between outer sides of the head of the latch. Another feature contributing to this advantage is that the housing includes an extension that covers up a transition from the neck of the latch to the head of the latch. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present latch apparatus is a two action latch. In other words, prior to an opening of the attendant gated barrier, a first mechanical independent step must be performed and subsequently a second mechanical independent step must be performed. If an attempt is made to first perform the second mechanical independent step, the latch apparatus cannot be opened without destroying an integrity of the latch apparatus. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present latch apparatus includes a minimum of parts. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present latch apparatus is inexpensive to manufacture. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present latch apparatus is simple to use when the operation is an opening of the latch. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the present latch apparatus is simple to use when the operation is a closing of the latch. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an isolated side partially phantom view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the present oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of a gated barrier having the present oblique slide latch apparatus including the slide lock, lift lever, housing, and latch. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 2A  in an open position. 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of the oblique slide latch apparatus from the other side of the side shown in FIG.  2 A, and shows a closed position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 2D  is a side view of the oblique slide latch apparatus from the other side of the side shown in  FIG. 2B , and shows an open position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1A  and shows a closed position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 3A  and shows an open position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 3A  from the other side of  FIG. 3A  and shows a closed position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 3B  from the other side of  FIG. 3B  and shows an open position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1A  and shows a closed position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 5A  and shows an open position of the oblique slide latch apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the housing, lift lever, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the housing, lift lever, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B  from the other side of that shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8A  is a detail perspective view of the right side of the housing of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 8B  is a detail perspective view of the left side of the housing of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 9A  is a section and partially phantom view of the oblique latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B , showing the oblique slide latch apparatus in a closed position. 
         FIG. 9B  is a section and partially phantom view of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B , showing the slide lock having been slid to an open position to permit the lift lever to swing. 
         FIG. 9C  is a section and partially phantom view of the oblique latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B , showing the lift lever in an intermediate position between an open and closed position and further showing the slide lock having been released so as to return to a closed position. 
         FIG. 9D  is a section and partially phantom view of the oblique latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B , showing the lift lever in a fully lifted position, showing the slide lock in a closed position, and showing the latch in an open position. 
         FIG. 10A  is a detail top perspective view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 10B  is a detail top perspective view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus from the other side of the view of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11A  is a detail bottom perspective view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 11B  is a detail bottom perspective view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus from the other side of the view of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 12A  is a detail top view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 12B  is a detail side view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 12C  is a detail bottom view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 13  is a detail side view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus from the other side of the view of  FIG. 12B . 
         FIG. 14A  is a detail rear view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 14B  is a detail side view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIG. 14C  is a detail front view of the lift lever, housing, and latch of the oblique slide latch apparatus of  FIG. 1B . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the present latch apparatus is indicated by reference number  10 . Latch apparatus  10  includes a housing  12 , a latch  14 , and a lever  16 . The lever  16  pivots or swings between closed and open positions. The solid lead lines show a closed position for the lever  16  and latch  14 . The dashed or phantom lead lines show an open position for the lever  16  and the latch  14 . When the lever  16  is pivoted up, then the latch  14  is drawn in. When the lever is pivoted down, then the latch  14  is drawn out. 
       FIG. 1B  shows the latch apparatus  10  on a gated barrier  18 . Gated barrier  18  includes a frame  20  and a gate  22  within the frame  20 . Frame  20  is a U-shaped open top frame. Frame  20  includes a left standard  24 , a right standard  26 , and a lower horizontal support  28  or threshold  28  between the standards  24 ,  26 . A frame extension  30  is engaged to the left side of the frame  20 . Disposed between the frame  20  and a vertical environmental object such as a door jamb or wall to the right of the frame  20  and disposed between the frame extension  30  and a vertical environmental object such as a door jamb or wall to the left of the frame extension  30 , is a set of four frame-to-wall connectors  32 . Connectors  32  include a threaded shaft  34 , a hand wheel  36  threadingly engaged on the shaft  34 , and a wall cup  38  for engaging the vertical environmental object such as a door jamb or wall. The wall cup  38  is fixable to the door jamb or wall by a pin connector  40  such as a screw. Hidden from sight is a rotatable disk on the end of the shaft  34  that is received by the wall cup  38 . The threaded shaft  34  may or may not be threadingly engaged with a respective corner portion  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  of the frame  20  and frame extension  30 . Preferably the threaded shaft  34  slides into and out of its respective corner portion  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  without being threadingly engaged. The frame  20  and frame extension  30  hold the gated barrier  18  in place, and optionally off the floor, by the hand wheel  36  being turned so as to increase the effective distance of the shaft  34  between the hand wheel  36  and the disk in the wall cup  38 . The hand wheel  36  abuts the corner portion  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and the disk abuts the wall cup  38  that is engaged to the door jamb or wall. When such effective distance is increased, one result is to pressurize the frame  20  and frame extension  30 . In other words, one or more of the standards  24 ,  26  are manufactured to be oblique relative to the lower horizontal support  28 . However, when the frame  20  and frame extension  30  are pressurized by increasing such effective distance, such one or more standards  24 ,  26  are drawn into a right angle relationship with the lower horizontal support  28 , thereby drawing the upper portion of standard  26  into engagement with the latch  14  of the latch apparatus  10 . 
     The gate  22  includes outer or end support members  50 ,  52 . End support member  52  defines the pivot axis of the gate  22 . Gate  22  further includes an upper horizontal or transverse support member  54  and a lower horizontal or transverse support member  56 . Gate  22  further includes, disposed between end support member  50 ,  52 , a set of vertical support members  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 , and  66  that extend from the lower horizontal support member  56  to the upper horizontal support member  54 . Vertical support members  50 ,  58 , and  60  extend into the latch apparatus  10  and are engaged to the upper horizontal support member  54 . In  FIG. 1A , the latch apparatus  10  is closed and the gate  22  is closed. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a front view of the latch apparatus  10 . Latch apparatus  10  includes a spring loaded slide lock  68 . Slide lock  68  is mounted on the upper horizontal member  54  of gate  22 . An internally mounted spring  70 , shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D , biases the slide lock  68  toward the housing  12 . Slide lock  68  includes a main body  72  and a ledge  74  extending from the main body  72 . Ledge  74  extends in the direction of the housing  12 . Ledge  74  includes an oblique upper portion that extends downwardly and toward the latch apparatus  18  such that the lever  16  can snap back into a locking relationship with the slide lock  68 . 
     Lever  16  swings or pivots on a pivot pin  76 . Pivot pin  76  engages the housing  12 , further engages the latch  14 , and further engages the gate upper horizontal support member  54 . Pivot pin  76  is secured to the latch apparatus  16  by a lock washer or clip  77 . 
     Latch  14  includes a latch head  78 . Latch head  78  includes a U-shape that includes a first longer extension  80  and a second shorter extension  82 . Latch head longer extension  80  is shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Latch head shorter extension  82  is shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D . 
     Latch  14  is closed in  FIGS. 2A and 2C . Latch  14  is open in  FIGS. 2B and 2D . 
     In each of the closed and open positions as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the first extension  80  of the latch head  78  extends over a portion of the frame  20 , including over a portion of standard  26  and frame corner portion  42 . This shows that gate  22  is a one way gate. Whether the lever  16  is closed as shown in  FIG. 2A  or open as shown in  FIG. 2B , the first extension  80  of the latch head  78  extends over a portion of the frame  20 . Gate  22  swings only one way, with this one way being toward the viewer in  FIG. 2B  and away from the viewer in  FIG. 2D . 
       FIGS. 2C and 2D  show the latch head extension  82 . In the closed position of  FIG. 2C  where the lever  16  is closed, the latch head extension  82  extends over a portion of the frame  20 , including over a portion of standard  26  and frame corner portion  42  such that the gate  22  cannot swing. In the open position of  FIG. 2D  where the lever  16  is open, the latch head extension  82  has been drawn inwardly such that a distal vertical edge of the latch head extension  82  has been drawn away from an inner edge of frame standard  26  and frame corner portion  42 . 
     In  FIG. 3A  the U-shaped latch head  78  extends to each side of the standard  26  such that latch head extension  80  extends over one side or face of the standard  26  and such that latch head extension  82  extends over the other side or face of the standard  26 . Here the lever  16  is closed and the proximal end of the second action lever  16  is locked by the ledge  74  of the first action slide lock  68 . 
     In  FIG. 3B  the latch head extension  82  is withdrawn from its respective face of the standard  26  when the lever  16  is pivoted to an open position, after the slide lock  68  has been slid away from the proximal end of the lever  16 . Here, where the lever  16  has been pivoted to an open position, the latch head extension  80  still extends over a portion of the standard  26  such that the gate  22  swings only one way, which way is toward the face of the standard  26  over which the latch head extension  80  extends. The latch head extension  80  extends over such face of the standard  26  when the lever  16  is pivoted to the open position and when the lever  16  is pivoted to the closed position and when the gate  22  is in the closed position. 
     In  FIGS. 3A and 3B , it can be seen that the lever  16  includes a top  86 , a first side  88 , and a second side  90 . Sides  88 ,  90  are generally triangular shaped. Top  86  is curved. Sides  88 ,  90  extend forwardly of a distal edge  258  of the top  86 . The distance between the inner faces of sides  88 ,  90  is greater than the distance between the outer faces of the latch head  78  such that latch head  78  is disposed within the latch sides  88 ,  90 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the latch apparatus  10  from a perspective different from the perspective of  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In  FIG. 4A  the lever  16  is closed and the gate  22  is closed, with the latch head  78  engaging the standard  26 . In  FIG. 4B  the lever  16  has been pivoted to the open position where latch head extension  80  is engaged with the standard  26  and where latch head extension  82  is disengaged from the standard  26 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show top views of the closed and open positons of the lever  16 . Latch head  78 , which includes a distal U-shaped portion and is H-shaped as a whole, includes a base  92 . When each of the latch head extensions  80 ,  82  are engaged with standard  96 , as shown in  FIG. 5A , latch head base  92  confronts the inner face  94  of the standard  26 . When latch head extension  82  is disengaged from standard  96 , latch head base  92  is spaced from the inside face  94  of standard  26 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are exploded views of the housing  12 , lever  16  and latch  14 .  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show detail views of housing  12 . Housing  12  includes a left half housing portion  96  and a right half housing portion  98 . Left half housing portion  96  includes a top portion  100  and a left side  102 . Right half housing portion  98  includes a top portion  104  and a right side  106 . Housing portions  96 ,  98  include respective rear sides  108 ,  110  that when engaged form a first opening  112  for top vertical support member  54  of gate  22 . Rear sides  108 ,  110  form a second opening  113  for the reception of vertical support member  58  of gate  22 . At the rear sides  108 ,  110 , the top portions  100 ,  104  are disposed at an altitude lower than the lower face of ledge  74  and are spaced from the ledge  74  to permit an end of the lever  16  to be engaged on the top portions  100 ,  104  and under the ledge  74  when the lever  16  is closed. Housing portions  96 ,  98  include respective bottom portions  112 ,  114 . Bottom portions  112 ,  114  when engaged form a first opening  118  for the reception of end vertical support member  50  of gate  22 . Bottom portions  112 ,  114  when engaged form a second opening  119  for reception of vertical support member  58  of gate  22 . Housing half portions  96 ,  98  include respective distal sides  120 ,  122  that include respective oblique portions  124 ,  126  that lead into respective extensions  128 ,  130 . Distal sides  120 ,  122  when engaged form an opening  132  for receiving a neck  134  of the latch  14 . 
     Left and right housing portions  96 ,  98  include respective upper horizontal plates  136 ,  138  and respective lower horizontal plates  140 ,  142 . The plates  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142  extend from the sides  102 ,  108  and confront the upper and lower sides of the gate upper support member  54 . Housing portions  96 ,  98  include respective ribs  144 ,  146  running between the left plates  136 ,  140  and the right plates  138 ,  142 . Ribs  144 ,  146  confront the left and right sides of the gate upper support member  54 . Plates  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142  and ribs  144 ,  146  are inner housing support members for the gate upper support member  54  to minimize wobble of the housing  12  relative to the gate upper support member  54 . 
     Left and right housing portions  96 ,  98  include respective vertical plates  148 ,  150  for confronting the inner face of end vertical support member  50  of gate  22 . Left and right housing portions  96 ,  98  include respective edges  152 ,  154  for confronting the outer face of end vertical support member  50  of gate  22 . Left housing portion  96  includes a horizontal edge  156  and vertical rib  158  for confronting a left side of end vertical support member  50  and right housing portion  98  includes a horizontal edge  160  and vertical rib  162  for confronting a right side of end vertical support member  50 . Edges  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  160  form opening  118 . 
     Gate upper support member  54  and gate end vertical support member  50  are engaged to each other, as shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D . Gate upper support member  54  extends forwardly of gate end vertical support member  50  and terminates at distal end  164 , shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C , and  9 D. Distal end  164  is disposed inwardly of the front edge  166  of extension  128 . 
     The inside of the housing  12  includes a set of depending ribs  168 ,  170 . Ribs  168  extend from the top  100  of housing half portion  96 . Ribs  170  extend from the top  104  of housing half portion  98 . Ribs  168 ,  170  terminate short of a plane defined by the bottom face of plate portions  136 ,  138 . Ribs  168 ,  170  terminate about in a plane defined by the upper face of plate portions  146 ,  138 . Ribs  168 ,  170  confront the top  172  of the latch neck  134  as the latch neck  134  slides on gate upper horizontal support member  54 . 
     The inside of the housing  12  further includes cylindrical pin receptors  174 ,  176 ,  177 ,  178 ,  180 ,  181 . Receptors  174 ,  176 ,  177  are disposed in housing portion  96 . Receptors  178 ,  180 ,  181  are disposed in housing portion  98 . Receptors  178 ,  180 ,  181  have male ends that engage female ends  174 ,  176 ,  177 , respectively. Pin connectors  182 ,  184 ,  185  engage the receptors  174 ,  176 ,  177 ,  178 ,  180 ,  181  and draw the housing portions  96 ,  98  together. As the housing portions  96 ,  98  are drawn together, locator tabs  186 ,  190  of housing half portion  98  engage respective locator slots  188 ,  192  of housing half portion  96 . 
     The inside of housing  12  further includes plate portions  193 ,  194 . Plate portion  193  is in housing portion  96 . Plate portion  194  is in housing portion  98 . Plate portions  193 ,  194  lead in from opening  132  and support distal edge portions  196 ,  198  of respective sides  200 ,  202  of latch neck  134 . Sides  200 ,  202  further include bottom proximal edge portions  201 ,  203  that extend at a higher altitude than do edge portions  196 ,  198 . 
     Lever  16  includes top  86 , and sides  88 ,  90 . Lever  16  includes a proximal end portion  204  that is lifted by the hand or fingers and a distal end portion  206 . On the inside of each of the sides  88 ,  90 , at the distal end portion  206 , lever  16  includes a first peg  208  and a second peg  210 . First peg  208  is cylindrical. Second peg  210  is a triangular or tear drop shape. Second peg  210  includes a base having two sides that taper from the base toward each other to terminate at a tip or apex. Second peg  210  extends to a slightly greater depth than does first peg  208 . Each of the sides  88 ,  90  of lever  16  includes respective openings  212 ,  214  for pivot pin  76 . 
     Latch  14  includes latch head  78  having extensions  80 ,  82 . Latch head  78  further includes base  92 . Extensions  80 ,  82  and base  92  form a U-shape that engages a portion of standard  26  and a portion of corner portion  42 . As a whole, latch head  78  is H-shaped. Standard  26  and corner portion  42  are portions of the frame  20  of the gated barrier  18 . Latch  14  further includes a latch neck  134  having a pair of sides  200 ,  202 . Side  202  includes an edge portion  198 . Side  200  includes edge portion  196 . Latch neck  134  further includes a top  172 . Latch neck top  172  and latch sides  200 ,  202  form a U-shape that engages and slides on gate upper horizontal support member  54 . Latch head extension  80  projects further distally than latch head extension  82 . The width between outer faces of latch head extensions  80  and  82  is greater than the width between outer faces of the latch neck sides  200 ,  202 . Latch head  78  includes a pair of stepped base edges  216 ,  218 . Each of the stepped edges  216 ,  218  includes an upper and lower straight edge portion that are offset from each other. Stepped edge  216  is opposite of distal vertical edge  220  of latch head extension  80 . Stepped edge  218  is opposite of distal vertical edge  222  of latch head extension  82 . The outer face of latch head extension  80  includes an oblique channel  224 . The outer face of latch head extension  82  includes an oblique channel  226 . Each of the oblique channels  224 ,  226  is straight. The top of each of the oblique channels  224 ,  226  is proximal relative to the latch neck  134  and adjacent to its respective stepped edge  216 ,  218 . The bottom of each of the oblique channels  224 ,  226  is distal relative to the latch neck  134  and spaced from its respective stepped edge  216 ,  218 . The top of each of the oblique channels  224 ,  226  is adjacent to a top  228  of the latch head  78 . The bottom of each of the oblique channels  224 ,  226  is adjacent to a bottom  230  of the latch head  78 . Bottom  230  is shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D . Channel  224  engages first peg  208  of lever side  88 . Channel  226  engages first peg  208  of lever side  90 . Stepped edge  216  engages second peg  210  of lever side  88 . Stepped edge  218  engages second peg  210  of lever side  90 . The first peg  208  is disposed distally of the second peg  210  when the lever  16  is in each of the closed and open positions. The first peg  210  is disposed at a greater altitude than the second peg  210  when the lever  16  is in each of the closed and open positions. As the lever  16  moves between the closed and open positions, different surface portions of the pegs  208 ,  210  continually engage different surface portions of the oblique channels  224 ,  226  and the stepped edges  216 ,  218 . 
     Latch head extension  80  includes a pair of horizontal upper and lower channels  232 ,  234  that open distally on the vertical edge  220  and that are closed with an oblique edge proximally. Latch head extension  82  includes a pair of horizontal upper and lower channels  236 ,  238  that open distally on the vertical edge  222  and that are closed with an oblique edge proximally. Such proximal edges disposed at the closed end of the channels  232 ,  234 ,  236 ,  238  run parallel to the axis of the oblique channels  224 ,  226 . 
     Latch neck  134  includes a pair of horizontal slots  240 ,  242 . Slot  240  is formed in latch side  200 . Slot  242  is formed in latch side  202 . Slots  240 ,  242  are aligned and extend horizontally. Gate upper horizontal support member  54  includes a pivot opening  244 , shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D , in each of the sides of the tubular gate upper horizontal support member  54 . Pivot opening  244  receives pivot pin  76 . Pivot openings  244  are aligned with slots  240 ,  242 . 
     Latch head  78  is H-shaped such that a base  92  ties the longer latch head extension  80  to the shorter latch head extension  82 . The distal face of base  92  includes upper, lower, and intermediate horizontal ribs projecting distally from base  92 , as shown in  FIG. 14C . The proximal face of base  92  is a stop that stops against the distal end of gate upper horizontal support member  54  when the latch  14  is drawn in by the lever  16 . 
     The height of the latch neck  134  is greater than the height of the latch head  78  whether the height of the latch neck  134  is measured  1 ) between latch neck top  172  and any of the distal latch edge portions  196 ,  198  or  2 ) between latch neck top  172  and any of the proximal latch edge portions  201 ,  203 . 
     Slide lock  68  is spring biased. Slide lock  68  includes a slide pin  246  engaged with the slide lock main body  72  and further slidingly engaged in aligned slots  248  formed in each of the sides of the gate upper horizontal support member  54 . Slide lock  68  includes the coil spring  70  having a proximal end engaged to slide pin  246  and a distal end engaged to pivot pin  76 . Slide lock  68  is thus continually biased in the distal direction so as to keep the ledge  74  biased toward the locked position. Ledge  74  includes an upper tapered edge and the proximal end of lever  16  includes a lower edge oppositely tapered such that lever  16  can snap by the tapered edge of ledge  74  and into its closed position even when slide lock  68  is in its closed position. 
     In operation, as shown in  FIG. 9A , lever  16  is in a closed position and slide lock  68  is in a closed position. Latch head  78  is in the closed position where the latch head  78  engages the frame  20 , namely, the standard  26  and the frame corner portion  42 . Lever  16  is locked under the ledge  74  of the slide lock  68 . First pegs  208  are in the upper ends of oblique channels  224 ,  226 . Second pegs  210  are engaging the stepped base edges  216 ,  218  near the steps of the stepped base edges  216 ,  218 . Latch neck  134 , integral with latch head  78 , is in the distal position, with the pivot pin  76  in the proximal end of slots  240 ,  242 .  FIG. 9B  shows the slide lock  68  having been slid proximally, which is the first independent mechanical step that must be performed prior to swinging open the gate  22 . When the slide lock  68  is slid in the proximal direction, the coil spring  70  is drawn to a greater pressure.  FIG. 9C  shows that the lever  16  has been pivoted from the closed position to an intermediate position. Slide lock  68  has been released and has been automatically returned to its closed position by the coil spring  70  pulling on the slide pin  246 . As the lever  16  is pivoted, the first pegs  208  and the second pegs  210  travel in an arc about the pivot pin  76  and the first pegs  208 , by engaging the oblique channels  224 ,  226 , draw the latch  14  proximally and away from the standard  26  and frame corner portion  42 . Latch neck  134  is guided as it is drawn proximally along a straight axis by the gate upper horizontal support member  54  on which the latch neck  134  rides, by the internal supports of the housing  12 , by the slots  240 ,  242  riding on the pivot pin  76 , by the portions of the housing  12  that form opening  132 . Latch head  78 , and thus its integral latch neck  134 , is stabilized against wobble by the second pegs  210  continually engaging the stepped edges  216 ,  218  from the closed position of the lever  16  to the intermediate position of the lever  16  shown in  FIG. 9C  and to the fully open position of the lever  16  shown in  FIG. 9D , which is completion of the second independent mechanical step that must be performed prior to swinging open the gate  22 . In  FIG. 9D , the slide lock  68  remains closed, the lever  16  has been fully opened, the first pegs  208  are in the bottom ends of the oblique channels  224 ,  226 , the pivot pin  76  is adjacent to the distal end of slots  240 ,  242 , the base  92  is at the distal end of the gate upper horizontal support member  54 , the shorter extension  82  has cleared the inner faces of the standard  26  and the frame corner portion  42 , and the longer extension  80  remains extended over the front faces of the standard  26  and frame corner portion  42  such that the gate  22  is swingable toward the front of the gated barrier  18  and is not swingable in the other direction. 
     In operation, to close the gate  22 , the lever  16  is maintained in its open position. Lever  16  is maintained in its position by a friction fit between latch neck  134  and the gate upper horizontal support member  54 , by a friction fit between latch neck  134  and the internal supports of the housing  12 , and by a friction fit between the sides  88 ,  90  of the lever  16  and the sides  102 ,  106  of the housing  12 . If an attempt to close the gate  22  is made when the lever  16  is in its closed and locked position engaged under the slide lock ledge  74 , the outer face of the latch head extension  82  will hit the front faces of the standard  26  and frame corner portion  42 . After gate  22  is closed with the latch head  78  in the proximal position such that shorter latch head extension  82  has bypassed the standard  26  and frame corner portion  42  and such that the inner face of latch head extension  80  extends over the front faces of the standard  26  and frame corner portion  42 , the lever  16  is closed. As lever  16  is closed, the first pegs  208  travel in an arc about pivot pin  76  as first pegs  208  engage oblique channels  224 ,  226 , thereby drawing the latch  14  distally and sliding the shorter latch head extension  82  over the rear faces of the standard  26  and frame corner portion  42  so as to lock the gate  22  to the frame  20 . As the latch  14  is drawn distally, the second pegs  210  travel in an arc about pivot pin  76  and stabilize the latch head  78  and latch  14  as a whole. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the oblong depressions  250 ,  252  in the housing sides  102 ,  106  receive name plates for the name of the company marketing the latch apparatus  10  or for the name of the particular latch apparatus.  FIG. 10A  shows the bevel or taper of the proximal beveled edge  254  of the proximal end  204  of the lever  16 . Beveled edge  254  is also shown in  FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D .  FIG. 10B  shows that housing extensions  128 ,  130  cover up, when the latch  14  is withdrawn by the lever  16 , a pair of spaces  256  that are formed when the latch head  78  transitions to the latch neck  134  so as to minimize pinching of fingers or the skin of fingers.  FIG. 10B  shows that the distance between the inner faces of the sides  88 ,  90  of the lever  16  is greater than the distance between the outer faces of the latch head extensions  80 ,  82 .  FIG. 10B  shows a front edge  258  of the top  86  of the lever  16 . Front edge  258  is straight and runs to and between lever sides  88 ,  90 . Front edge  258  is a stop that stops the lever  16  from further pivoting when front stop edge  258  when the front stop edge  258  abuts the extensions  128 ,  130  as shown in  FIG. 9D . A further stop to the pivoting is an abutment of the first pegs  208  with the bottom ends of the oblique channels  224 ,  226 . A further stop is provided by base  92  hitting the distal end of the gate upper horizontal support member  54 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  show that, while the distal portion of the latch head  78  is U-shaped, the latch head  78  as a whole is H-shaped.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  show that extensions  80 ,  82  extend both proximally and distally of the latch head base  92 . Latch neck  134  extends into the latch head  78  between the proximal portions of extensions  80 ,  82 . Latch neck  134  is integrally connected with inner faces of proximal portions of the extensions  80 ,  82 . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12C  show that the distance between the inner faces of the sides  88 ,  90  of the lever  16  is greater than the distance between the outer faces of the latch head extensions  80 ,  82 .  FIG. 12C  shows the H-shaped of the latch head  78 . 
       FIG. 13  shows that the longer latch head extension  80  has a greater length than does the shorter latch head extension  82 .  FIG. 13  further shows that a distal oblique edge  260  of lever side  90  of the lever  16  is adjacent to and parallel with the oblique closed edges of channels  236 ,  238  of latch head extension  82  when the lever  16  is in the closed position. 
       FIG. 14A  shows that the pivot pin  76  extends through the lever  16  and housing  12 .  FIG. 14B  shows that a distal oblique edge  262  of lever side  88  of the lever  16  is adjacent to and parallel with the oblique closed edges of channels  232 ,  234  of latch head extension  80  when the lever  16  is in the closed position.  FIG. 14C  shows the distal face of base  92  that includes the upper, lower, and intermediate horizontal ribs projecting distally from base  92 . 
     Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.