Patent Abstract:
An adjustable gate latching system is disclosed herein for tightly securing a flexible gate to a stationary fence that contains animals therein. The device comprises a stationary attacher means; a u-shaped member; a lever; and a flexible cable and/or chain. The device is rotatable and used to open and close the fence to maximize efficiency and user-comfort while performing the task.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/245,319, filed Sep. 24, 2009 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of fasteners and more specifically relates to gate fasteners for use with flexible wire gates. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Fences are used to provide an artificial enclosure means for livestock as a containment means to protect the animals from harm or harming others. Fence gates are an integral part of any farm fence. The fence gate keeps the livestock securely in the proper pasture in which they are fenced but also allows easy access for the farmer and equipment to also enter therein. Typically, flexible farm gates have horizontal barbed wires affixed to a vertical movable post that is attachable to a fixed perimeter fence end post in order to close the fenced portion. The movable post may be unattached to open the flexible gate allowing ingress and egress of individuals, animals and equipment. A conventional gate fastener is typically made of a simple wire loop that fits around both the flexible gatepost and the fixed fence end post that it is fastened to. These loops must be very tight to maintain the gate in a closed position so the animals cannot escape. Difficulties often occur when an individual is trying to open or close the gate via the wire loop due to its inherent tightness. Typically, it is a difficult and time-consuming task to lift or loosen the tightened loop and the user&#39;s hands and fingers may be pinched or otherwise injured in this process. 
         [0006]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,391,578; 2,770,482; 3,847,425; 3,667,729; 6,241,217; 3,799,595; 5,876,075; 3,450,187; 3,237,922; and 3,891,254. Although these inventions have tried to solve the problem of creating a convenient gate fastener they do not appear to provide a gate fastener comprising very few parts that is inexpensive, durable and easy to install and to use. This prior art is representative of gate fastening devices. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0007]    Ideally, a gate fastener should be easy to install, easy to use, comprise a minimum of moving parts and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable, durable, inexpensive, and easy to install gate fastener to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known gate fastener art, the present invention provides a novel gate fastener system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a gate fastener that comprises very few parts, is inexpensive, easy to install and easy to use. 
         [0009]    A gate latching system is disclosed herein for tightly securing a fence post to a gate post comprising: at least one stationary attacher comprising a nail or lag screw; a u-shaped member including two symmetrical portions having a plurality of apertures located through each of the symmetrical portions; a lever; and a cable or chain comprising two ends. The u-shaped member and the lever together comprise a moment arm assembly. The moment arm assembly is rotatable about the stationary attacher to decrease or increase the tension on the cable to open or close the flexible wire gate via leverage action. 
         [0010]    The cable, if used, may be looped through at least one aperture as a tightening means for securing a flexible gate to a stationary fence. The u-shaped member comprises a center-line axis as an extension of the lever that is perpendicularly orientated to a vertical center-line axis of the stationary fence end-post. The lever is coupled to the u-shaped member for rotating about at least one stationary attacher used to couple the u-shaped member to the flexible wire fence. When the moment arm assembly is moved to an upright position, it will decrease the tension on the cable around the flexible gate post and the cable can then be lifted off or from around the flexible gate post. When the moment arm assembly is brought to a horizontal position by downward movement, the tension on the cable is increased, the cable is tightened around the flexible gate post and the gate is thereby secured. 
         [0011]    A kit is embodied herein for the gate latching system comprising: a moment arm assembly, at least two stationary attachers (nails, lag screws or other fastening means), a cable and optionally and optionally a user instruction manual. The present invention may be manufactured, shipped, and sold a kit. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of using a gate latching system to secure a flexible wire gate to a stationary wire fence is also disclosed herein preferably comprising the steps of: attaching a moment arm assembly including a lever and a u-shaped member to a flexible gate post via stationary attachers; threading a cable through at least one aperture located on the u-shaped member to form an anchor means; rotating the moment arm assembly about the attacher to tighten the cable bringing the flexible gate post adjacent to a stationary fence end-post thereby closing a fencing perimeter. Further, optionally unsecuring the flexible gate from a stationary fence may be accomplished by rotating the moment arm assembly about the attacher(s) to loosen the cable withdrawing the flexible gate post from the adjacent stationary fence end-post thereby opening the fencing perimeter. 
         [0013]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a gate fastener system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, adjustable gate latching systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating an adjustable gate latching system(s) in an opened and closed ‘in-use’ position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view illustrating moment arm assemblies of the adjustable gate latching systems according to embodiments of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view illustrating a u-shaped member comprising apertures using a chain as a adjustable tightening means according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view illustrating another u-shaped member comprising apertures using a cable as a adjustable tightening means according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view illustrating the adjustable gate latching systems in a closed condition (‘in-use’ position) according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a fastening device and more particularly to a gate fastener as used to improve the efficiency and convenience for opening and closing wire fences with flexible wire gates. Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrating an adjustable gate latching system(s)  100  in a closed ‘in-use’ condition  180  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, in dotted lines is illustrated an opening motion that the present invention would rotate through to decrease the tension in cable  160  allowing the distance between flexible gate post  194  and stationary fence end post  190  to increase providing an opening in stationary fence  188 . 
         [0023]    Adjustable gate latching systems  100  of the present invention preferably comprises at least one stationary attacher  110 ; u-shaped member  120  (including first symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portion  152 ); and lever  130  removably attached to cable  160  or alternately chain  158 . Cable  160  and chain  158  are considered to be flexible for use. First symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portion  152  comprise the two symmetrical halves of u-shaped member  120  for ease of explaining spatial relationship(s) within the present invention. 
         [0024]    First symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portion  152  of u-shaped member  120  within the present embodiment have a plurality of aperture(s)  140  (preferably three on each side) each comprising a through-hole located through each of first symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portions  152 . Aperture(s)  140  are of sufficient size to receive cable  160 , having preferred dimensions of about 54″ long, using a 3/32″ nylon-coated type of cable  160 . Cable  160  is secured by threading through aperture  140 , back through another of aperture  140  and through yet another aperture  140 , whereby first cable end  162  is inserted through the formed-loop thereby securing cable  160  to u-shaped member  120 . In the preferred embodiment cable  160  is attached using three apertures  140 , as described, allowing for suitable adjustment as required and is then knotted creating a friction-grip means. 
         [0025]    In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , using chain  158  as a securing means, chain  158  may be welded or otherwise secured and the loose end slipped over a diagonal bolt head to create the securement means. A specialty bolt head is used (longer up than down), the wide side of the head measuring about ½″ and 5/16 on the other, thereby allowing chain  158  to be slipped over, but dutifully secured when chain  158  is pulled horizontal (parallel and adjacent to u-shaped member  120 ). In this particular embodiment, chain  158  may be effectively shortened or lengthened by placing a different link on the bolt head. Bolts within the alternate embodiment may measure 5/16″×1¼″ and use a 5/16″ lock nut. Chain  158  is preferably ⅜″ and comprises an overall length of about 44″. The above-mentioned lengths, widths, sizes, and dimensions are understood to be exemplary and are not intended to be limiting, but rather provide a sufficient enablement whereby the present invention may be duplicated for use. With respect to the attachment of chain  158  at the position of the adjustable bolt head, the bolt has a lock nut on the inside and also preferably has another nut on the outside where the head is located. This nut (preferably 5/16″ also) is a sufficient distance from the head of the bolt to allow the chain link to be looped over it. 
         [0026]    Lever  130 , provides at least a portion of the necessary levering means within the present invention thereby providing ease of use for an individual using (opening and/or closing) gate latching system  100 . Lever  130  is coupled to u-shaped member  120  within the present embodiment to form moment arm assembly  136 , thereby effectively increasing the length of the moment arm. Lever  130  preferably comprises a round profile enabling the device to be easily lifted and gripped without placing the fingers in a position under lever  130  (handle means) which may cause injuries to the fingers and/or hand when flexible gate  198  is being opened and/or closed. Cable  160  may be removably coupled via looping or tying means to moment arm assembly  136  and held securely via looping through aperture(s)  140 . Moment arm assembly  136  increases the moment arm of the system increasing leverage and decreasing effort required to open/close flexible gate  198 . 
         [0027]    Cable  160  in this particular embodiment comprises first cable end  162  and second cable end  164 ; wherein cable  160  is looped through at least one aperture  140 , as previously mentioned as a tightening means for securing stationary fence end post  190  to flexible gate post  194 . Lever  130  is coupled to u-shaped member  120  for rotating about at least one stationary attacher  110  used to couple u-shaped member  120  to stationary fence end post  190 , as shown in the present figure. Aperture(s)  140  are of sufficient size to receive stationary attacher  110 , as shown. Aperture(s)  140  for receiving exactly two stationary attachers  110  (one each on each side of stationary fence end post  190 ) are located nearest the ‘open end’ of u-shaped member  120  allowing uniform rotation about stationary attachers  110  coupling adjustable gate latching system  100  to stationary fence end post  190 . 
         [0028]    U-shaped member  120  and lever  130  form moment arm assembly  136 , as previously mentioned. Moment arm assembly  136  is preferably rotatable about stationary attacher  110  by at least one user  170 , such as when a farmer/rancher is opening/closing flexible gate  198  to stationary fence end post  190  of stationary fence  188  to keep livestock substantially contained within the perimeter of stationary fence  188 . In this way the present invention may be used as an efficient, safe, user-friendly gate latching means. Further, the device described herein provides a novel inventive fastener that avoids ‘snapping’ upon opening and/or closing actions. 
         [0029]    User  170  may wish to remove flexible gate  198  from its coupled relationship to stationary fence  188  to allow ingress or egress for him/her, the animals or equipment. To perform this function moment arm assembly  136  may be rotated from a substantially downward position  132  to a substantially upright position  134 , thereby decreasing the tension on cable  160  around flexible gate post  194  and cable  160 . Cable  160  may be lifted off flexible gate post  194  to release, thereby creating an available opening. When moment arm assembly  136  is rotated to a horizontal position away from flexible gate post  194 , tension on cable  160  is increased. Cable  160  is then tightened around flexible gate post  194  thereby securing flexible gate post  194  to stationary fence end post  190  of stationary fence  188  by drawing them together in a vertical adjacent relationship (also shown in  FIG. 4 ). Moment arm assembly  136  requires a decreased amount of force to move it upwards, because of its lever action creating a force-multiplier. The ease of use and small effort required make the present invention handy for its intended use. 
         [0030]    Alternatively, u-shaped member  120  may be coupled to flexible gate post  194  with stationary attacher  110 . When moment arm assembly  136  is rotated to a horizontal position away from stationary fence end post  190 , tension on cable  160  is increased. Cable  160  is then tightened around stationary fence end post  190  thereby securing flexible gate post  194  to stationary fence end post  190  of stationary fence  188  by drawing them together in a vertical adjacent relationship. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  showing perspective views illustrating moment arm assemblies  136  of adjustable gate latching systems  100  according to preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    As described previously adjustable gate latching systems  100  preferably comprises at least one stationary attacher  110 ; u-shaped member  120  having at least one aperture  140 ; lever  130 ; and cable  160  or chain  158 , both embodiment versions shown. It should be noted that other attaching means other than cable and chain may also be used and would still be considered within the scope of the present invention. Other suitable alternatives may include rope, wire, and band(s), etc. 
         [0033]    The embodiment shown preferably comprises at least one stationary attacher  110 , preferably two, more preferably one on each side. Stationary attacher  110  used within the present invention is preferably a nail or lag screw because they are durable, inexpensive and commonly used items within fencing processes. Lag screws are also preferable because they have a greater friction-resistance to being unwontedly pulled out. However, stationary attacher  110  may be comprised of various attaching means, such as other screw-types, pins, hooks, staples, etc. 
         [0034]    U-shaped member  120 , as shown may be a flat-iron piece of metal, which is approximately 1″ wide. Alternately, U-shaped member  120  may comprise other tubing or other suitable profiles and be made of other materials that are durable and weatherproof, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, braided steel, non-ferrous and ferrous materials; composites, etc. 
         [0035]    Lever  130  is typically approximately 1″ in diameter, as mentioned and may be made of a round steel pipe providing a comfortable grip-fit for user  170 . However, lever  130  may also be comprised of any suitable material that is durable and weatherproof, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. Lever  130  may be welded or otherwise attached to the top of u-shaped member  120 . In this way moment arm assembly  136  comprises a moment arm sufficiently durable and effective in use to reduce the amount of effort required to open and/or close flexible gate  198 . In the embodiment shown stationary attacher  110  must be at least 2″ higher than cable  160  (or chain  158 ) when attached to stationary fence end post  190  to ensure sufficient lock-down. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A &amp; 3B , perspective views illustrating u-shaped members  120  with apertures  140  according to embodiments of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0037]    As described previously, adjustable gate latching systems  100  preferably comprises u-shaped member  120  including first symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portion  152  with stationary attacher  110  having apertures  140  and cable  160 , cable  160  comprising first cable end  162  and second cable end  164 . 
         [0038]    U-shaped member  120  comprises center-line axis  300 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Center-line axis  300  preferably is an invisible linear extension of lever  130  that is perpendicularly orientated to vertical center-line axis  310  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of stationary fence end post  190 , as also alluded to in  FIG. 4 . First symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portion  152  of u-shaped member  120  comprise at least two, preferably three apertures  140  in the embodiment shown, having a mirrored equi-distant relationship to stationary attacher  110 . Apertures  140  each comprise three through holes separated by a distance of approximately 1″. To provide enablement threading of cable  160  is shown in  FIG. 3B  and placement of chain  158  over a bolt head is shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0039]    In order to secure flexible gate  198  to stationary fence  188  first cable end  162  and second cable end  164  may be looped through aperture(s)  140  located on each of first symmetrical portion  150  and second symmetrical portions  152  of u-shaped member  120  to create an anchoring means. Cable  160  may be wrapped around flexible gate post  194 . Thin flexible cable  160  is preferably made of ferrous or non-ferrous material sufficiently durable to avoid fatigue wear, thereby making it reliable and cost-effective in use. However, cable  160  may be comprised of other suitable material(s) and/or coatings that are flexible and resilient, such as nylon, rubber, etc. Cable  160  may also comprise a chain  158  in certain alternate embodiments, also described in greater detail herein. Cable  160  is typically about 54″ in length, however cable  160  may be shorter or longer depending on the size of flexible gate post  194  and stationary fence end post  190  and desired tightness/looseness of gate coupling. 
         [0040]    When moment arm assembly  136  is moved to upright position  134 , cable  160  may be also looped around flexible gate post  194 . First cable end  162  may be secured to u-shaped member  120  and second cable end  164  may be removably adjusted then secured by increasing or decreasing the length, which may be accomplished by passing/pulling cable  160  through aperture(s)  140  in the side of u-shaped member  120 . The length of cable  160  may be easily adjusted to achieve the desired tightness between stationary fence end post  190  and flexible gate post  194 , in this way. Cable  160  may be looped through aperture  140 . Securing means may comprise a knotted loop as also shown in  FIG. 2 . When moment arm assembly  136  is brought to downward position  132  and away from flexible gate post  194 , the tension on cable  160  is increased, cable  160  is tightened around flexible gate post  194  and flexible gate post  194  is thereby secured. Moment arm assembly  136  may be lifted to re-adjust cable  160  to increase tightness if cable  160  is too loose which would create a danger that animals may escape from within stationary fence  188 . 
         [0041]    Cable  160  may be secured to u-shaped member  120  in such a position that when u-shaped member  120  is in in-use condition  180  (closed position), apertures  140  for cable  160  are lower than stationary attachers  110  that secure u-shaped member  120  to stationary fence end post  190 . This will effectively lock moment arm assembly  136  in a downward position  132  and require an increased amount of force (via camming means) to move moment arm assembly  136  up and off-center to open flexible gate  198 . When aperture(s)  140  receive cable  160 , specifically aperture  140  that cable  160  is threaded into first (and is closest to the gate  198 ) is lower than stationary attacher  110  it comprises a shorter distance then when it is horizontal. This provides gate latching systems  100  the “locking means”, this being the point where a only small pressure/force is required to lift lever  130  and in effect pull flexible gate post  190  of flexible gate  188  closer to stationary fence end post  194 . 
         [0042]    When moment arm assembly  136  is moved to an upright position  134  in an effort to open flexible gate  198 , the tension on cable  160  is decreased around flexible gate post  194  and cable  160  is elevated above and from around flexible gate post  194  thereby permitting flexible gate post  194  to become uncoupled from stationary fence end post  190 . Alternatively, cable  160  may be removed from aperture(s)  140  thereby permitting flexible gate post  194  to be uncoupled from stationary fence end post  190 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , showing a top perspective view illustrating adjustable gate latching systems  100  in closed condition  410  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]    When moment arm assembly  136  is brought to downward position  132 , as shown, cable  160  is preferably tightened around flexible gate post  194  and the flexible gate post  194  is brought adjacent to the stationary fence end post  190 . In this way flexible gate  198  is coupled to stationary fence  188  in closed condition  410 . In an open condition flexible gate  198  may be laid on the ground in a horizontal position. 
         [0045]    Adjustable gate latching system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one stationary attacher  110 ; at least one u-shaped member  120 ; at least one aperture  140 ; at least one lever  130 ; at least one cable  160  and/or chain  158  and optionally at least one set of user instructions. Adjustable gate latching system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different and/or more nuts, bolts and lock washers, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , flowchart  550  illustrating a method of use  500  for adjustable gate latching system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
         [0047]    A method  500  of using gate latching system  100  for securing flexible gate post  194  to stationary fence end post  190  comprising the steps of: step one  501  attaching moment arm assembly  136  including a lever  130  and a u-shaped member  120  to a stationary fence end post  190  via stationary attachers  110 ; step two  502  threading a cable  160  through at least one aperture  140  located on u-shaped member  120  to form an anchor means; step three  503  rotating moment arm assembly  136  about stationary attacher  110  to tighten cable  160  bringing flexible gate post  194  adjacent to stationary fence end-post  190  thereby closing a fencing perimeter. 
         [0048]    The method of using the adjustable gate latching system  100  may further include step four  504  to unsecure a flexible gate post  194  from a stationary fence end post  190  by rotating moment arm assembly  136  about stationary attacher  110  to loosen cable  160  withdrawing flexible gate post  194  from adjacent stationary fence end-post  190  thereby opening fencing perimeter. 
         [0049]    It should be noted that step  504  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method  500 . Method  500  may also be incorporated for use using chain  158 , as described above. 
         [0050]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0051]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8