Patent ID: 7264286

Claim:
A lift gate latch used in connection with a lift gate and a handrail on a boat, the boat having a gunwale and a deck, the deck having a receiving hole adjacent the gunwale, the handrail having a jamb, the jamb having a hollow interior, the jamb interior having a predetermined width transverse to the boat, and a predetermined breadth longitudinal to the boat, the lift gate having at least one stile, 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 latch comprising: a cup having a wall extending between opposite upper and lower ends, the cup having a hollow interior, the upper end being open, the cup having a floor enclosing the lower end, the cup being adapted for insertion in the receiving hole, the cup interior being adapted for receiving the stile; a flange encircling the cup upper end and extending outward therefrom, the flange having an upper surface and a lower surface, the flange lower surface being adapted for mounting against the boat deck, the flange having a predetermined height from the lower surface to the upper surface; a tongue extending outward from the flange, the tongue having an upper surface and a lower surface, the tongue lower surface being aligned with the flange lower surface for placement against the boat deck, the tongue having a predetermined height from the lower surface to the upper surface; and a block extending upward from the tongue upper surface, the block being adapted to be slidingly received in the jamb interior, the block having a width commensurate with the jamb interior width, the block having a breadth substantially less than the jamb interior breadth, so as to allow adjustment of the jamb during installation, thereby adjusting clearance between the jamb and the stile; so that upon opening the lift gate, the lift gate will rise, the stile will pass above the upper end and the gate will be pivoted open, and upon closing the lift gate, the gate will be pivoted closed, the stile will pass above the upper end, and the lift gate will be lowered such that the stile will be received in the cup, thereby latching the gate.