P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Application Date: 22 February 2016 Applicants: Ronald George & David Edward Ovenden 87 Seaton St Armidale NSW 2350 Address for Service: Ronald George Ovenden 87 Seaton St ARMIDALE NSW 2350 AUSTRALIA Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "Hook Latch Retainer Bracket" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 2 GATE LATCH RETAINER CLAMP FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hook latch retainer bracket. In particular, the present invention relates to the provision of a method for retaining a hook shaped latch and the 5 attached chain by means of a bracket, the purpose being to secure a gate to a post, or to secure a gate to an opposing gate, by means of a latch and a latch retainer, the like of which will be described hereinafter with reference to these applications. BACKGROUND There are a number of widely utilized latches used to secure hinged gates of circular o steel pipe construction (the type most commonly used in rural fencing applications) in both an open and closed position These latches used in rural gateways, for the most part consist of a length of steel chain terminating in a latch that is retained by an object whose shape and nature is such that it captures the latch, thus securing the gate. 5 The present invention addresses the need to provide a low cost method of retaining a hook type latch, while offering the user a choice of installation methods and applications. Due to the unique shape and profile of the said hook latch retainer, the end user is offered a level of flexibility, that exceeds that presently possible with current commercially available designs. 20 All present inventions known to me either consist of a multiple piece construction, or in the case of existing one-piece latch retainers, do not offer the user multiple fixing methods. The present invention offers benefits heretofore unavailable to the manufacturer and 25 user of a Weld/Screw-on hook latch retainer. The current invention substantially reduces the cost of manufacture by means of superior design without reducing strength or functionality. Such is the nature of the present invention, in that it is made from one continuous piece of flat plate and is suited to both welding and Screw fix attachment 3 It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate limitations of existing designs with respect of the absence of a one-piece construction that has multiple fixing methods and applications. 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is formed from a single piece of flat plate. The piece is narrow and rectangular in shape on one end and has a wider circular shape with a hole in the center on the other end. The bracket has a single bend of 900, positioned partway along o the narrow section so as to form one rectangular parallel sided vertical tab, and a horizontal tab with a wider circular shaped end. The vertical tab has two screw holes and is also characterized by a concave longitudinal curve on the outward face. The horizontal tab has a hole in the end for the hook latch to be inserted into. 5 BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hook latch retainer bracket from the side according to an embodiment of the present invention 2o Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a hoof latch retainer bracket from the opposite side according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 shows a perspective view from the side face of the hook latch retainer bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1-2 as attached to pipe post in the application of providing a retainer for a hook latch in a gate 25 way.
4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1-2 shows a rectangular flat sided member bent at 900 to create a bracket with a horizontal and a vertical tab. The piece is narrow and rectangular in shape on one end 5 and terminates in a wider circular shaped extension that contains a hole of sufficient radius to retain a hook shaped latch on the other end. The entire bracket is formed from a piece of flat plate, of sufficient thickness so as to be structurally sound and fit for purpose, and also of sufficient thickness so as to be able to be welded without detriment to its structural integrity. The present invention differs from o all previous attempts to create a hook shaped latch retainer in that a single flat member is formed so that it performs the role of a both a weld-on retainer and a screw-on retainer and furthermore, can be aligned to both flat and vertically convex surfaces for fixing. The 90 0 bend, positioned partway along the narrow rectangular portion of the member, 5 forms one rectangular parallel sided vertical tab and a horizontal tab. The member has three holes, with holes 101 and 102 being centrally located in the upper and lower portions of the vertical tab as embodied on Figure 1. Hole 100 as embodied on Figure 1, is located at the end of the horizontal tab and is of a sufficient diameter to capture a hook shaped latch securely. In order to encompass a hole of this 20 size the member increases in width as embodied on Figure 1-3 ensuring sufficient material is retained around the hole to achieve structural integrity. The vertical tab is of sufficient length to allow room for two screw holes. The vertical tab is further characterized by a concave longitudinal curve on the outward face allowing it to align with vertically convex members to which it attaches, these being circular hollow 25 sections used in gates and posts., as embodied on Figure 3. It also allows the tab to align with flat surfaces as well, as the concave form ensures the outer edges align seamlessly with flat surfaces upon which it is placed. This overcomes a common shortcoming whereby many latches are mounted on flat plates that will not align with concave surfaces, and when fixed to these surfaces, the unsightly spaces left by the 30 dissimilar profiles are detrimental to both appearance and strength.
5 The horizontal tab is of sufficient length to ensure the circular portion containing a hole on the far end of the tab remains clear of the post or gate on to which it is fixed, ensuring clear access for the hook. 5 0 15 20