AU2008100724A4 - Double Gate Latching Mechanism - Google Patents

Description

00 Specification Description DOUBLE GATE LATCHING MECHANISM This invention relates to the latching of both single and double gates such that they are held firmly in the closed position, without the need to use other latching means such as drop bolts.

00 SMost of the larger gates available on the market today, especially those manufactured from PVC, have inadequate strength in the closed position. Some manufacturers try to overcome this by using various types of traditional or upgraded latches as well as the use of drop bolts into the ground. All current latches affix to the gate posts which often are not an integral part of the gate. Due to the small working area of latches attached to the gate posts there is often considerable movement fore and aft when shut.

Current latches used can also result in several problems such as; only being accessible from one side, having dangerous obtrusions when open, or in the case of chain causing physical damage to the gate. Furthermore, these systems usually fail to operate properly or line up correctly when the gate begins to sag or is misaligned.

The said systems also generally rely on fasteners to bear the load significantly reducing the ability of the gate to form a barrier as strong as the fence itself.

These problems are overcome by the present invention, which provides an external locking channel frame designed to fit over the top rails of each gate, or the gate and section of fence for single gate applications. The channel could be manufactured from; mild steel or alloys, galvanized mild steel or alloys, aluminimum or its alloys. The frame is made from two sections of folded channel joined to each other by additional material such that the material does not interfere with the gate ends. This ensures that a sufficient portion of each gate rail is held inline with each other such that movement between the two gates is minimised.

00 0 One form of the invention uses two laser cut and manually folded galvanized steel channels, joined to one another by 12mm round bar bent into two J- separate and opposing sections when viewed from above.

0 One of the mentioned channels is attached to another shorter channel using a hinge integrated into the cutting and folding process. This hinge is formed using a bolt as the pivot shaft. The third short channel is affixed to the gate permanently such that is 0holds the Double Gate Latching Mechanism channel to the gate in the open position.

00 The third channel does not provide additional support to the channel such that no load o is placed on the fasteners in the closed position.

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Specification Drawings Photographs 1. picture 1.jpg -Shows a typical application of the Gate latching mechanism on a double gate installation.

2. picture 2.jpg -Shows detail of the Double Gate Latching Mechanism using a "Polvin Vertically Operating Catch" as mentioned in Specification Claim 3 Drawings 1. figure 1.jpg components 2. figure 2.jpg 3. figure 3.jpg 4. figure 4.jpg -Shows a perspective view of the major -Shows a perspective view from above -Shows hinge and attachment detail.

-Shows Polvin Catch detail

Claims (4)

1. An external double gate Latching Mechanism easily adapted for size, design (as in single gate, double gate, single gate on a corner, and single gate perpendicular to a ofence) that functions by locking the gate rails rather than the gate posts. Suitable for 00 both left and right gates. Made from; mild steel or its alloys, aluminimum and its o alloys, or composite plastics such as glass reinforced nylon.

2. The Latching Mechanism as in claim 1 whereby the Latching Mechanism is designed for PVC gates.

3. The Latching Mechanism as in claims 1 and 2 whereby the Latching Mechanism may be further secured by a "Polvin Vertically operating catch" which can be locked and provides further resistance to opening by both animals and unauthorised persons.

4. The Latching Mechanism as in claims 1, 2 and 3 whereby the Latching Mechanism can be modified to allow use on 'raked' gates that are on sloping ground. The gate frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings and photos.