Patent ID: 6945575

Claim:
A lift gate latch, for use in connection with a lift gate and a handrail on a boat, the boat having a gunwale and a deck, the handrail having a jamb, the lift gate having a hinge, the lift gate being able to rise upwardly on the hinge, the lift gate being able to pivot on the hinge between a closed and an open position, the lift gate having at least one stile, the lift gate latch comprising: (a) a left side wall and a right side wall, each side wall extending substantially vertically between opposite upper and lower edges, the left side wall having a first hole extending substantially vertically between the upper and lower edges, the first hole passing completely through the lift gate latch, and the right side wall having a second hole extending substantially vertically between the upper and lower edges, the second hole passing completely through the lift gate latch; (b) a first boss protruding outward from the left side wall and extending substantially vertically between the upper and lower edges of the left side wall, the first boss being generally aligned axially with the first hole, and a second boss protruding outward from the right side wall and extending substantially vertically between the upper and lower edges of the right side wall, the second boss being generally aligned axially with the second hole, so as to strengthen the side wall adjacent each hole; and (c) a base member extending transversely between the left and right side walls.