AU2017200349A1

AU2017200349A1 - Offset hinged gate assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2017200349A1
Application number: AU2017200349A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Murray Schaefer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-16
Filing date: 2017-01-18
Publication date: 2017-02-02
Also published as: AU2012268907A1

Abstract

A gate assembly comprising a gate including a first stile, a second side stile 5 and transverse rails extending therebetween, the second stile and transverse rails defining a gate plane; the first side stile co operating with a hinged support assembly allowing attachment of the gate via the hinged support assembly to an adjacent support post to enable the gate to swing relative to said support post. The second stile includes a retractable latching arm and 10 means for supporting at least part of said latching arm, a free end of said latching arm capable of movement between a first position in which the free end is advanced into engagement with a striker plate supported on a second support post and a second position in which the free end is retracted on contact with the striker plate during closure of the gate. The striker plate is 15 located on a support post at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the latch bolt wherein, the second post includes means to resist deflection of the post as the latching arm engages said plate during closing of the gate. The co operation of the gate with the hinged support assembly permits adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway through a wide angle of gate opening and 20 closing of at least 180 degrees. The hinge assembly is laterally off set relative to the support post allowing connection of the first stile to the hinge assembly at an offset position relative to the plane of the gate; thereby allowing the gate to displace fully outside a plane that the gate adopts in the closed position. 62 66 30 36 32 4537 46 47 51

Description

OFFSET HINGED GATE ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to gate fittings, and in particular to such fittings for retaining a gate in a closed position across a gateway. The invention is applicable to gates installed in a variety of applications including post and wire or rail farm fences. More particularly the invention relates to a slam catch assembly for a gate and an associated support assembly co operating with the slam catch assembly.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that exemplary application,. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application.

PRIOR ART

Post and wire farm fences are generally of a sturdy and strong construction, particularly where they are required to retain or control animal stock. For example, in post and wire fences, timber fence posts may be metal or timber, the latter being a post having a diameter of at least 125 mm. Gates installed in such fences are generally hung between adjacent fence posts. The gates may be constructed from timber or metal material.

The work involved in hanging a gate is labour-intensive and time consuming. One reason is that fittings for hanging and retaining the gates must be mounted on the fence posts as well as on the gate itself. Conventional fittings typically involve boring through the fence and gate posts for fixing of bolts, pins and the like. Because of the thickness of the posts it may take significant time and effort to bore those holes.

Fixing bolts for posts include a threaded locking nut and a profile which receives and supports a gate stile top and bottom.

One such gate fitting is disclosed in Australian patent 585997 (59259/86). The fitting disclosed in that patent has a mounting bracket or pin for engaging a gate, and a pair of securing chains which extend from opposite 1 sides of the bracket or pin, and pass partially about a gate post. Fastening pins are provided for driving through links in the chains into opposite sides of the post, to retain the chains taut about the post and so mount the fitting. A further gate fitting is disclosed in Australian patent 506787 (29999/77). That fitting has a gate hinge bracket bolted to a flexible band which encircles a gate post. A pair of angle brackets are removably secured to the band, and a tightening nut and bolt extend between the angle brackets to draw them together and so pull the band tight around the post.

This fitting overcomes the disadvantages caused by the fastening pins of the previous fitting. However, the various separate parts of this fitting are prone to working loose so that the band becomes slack and the gate drops or shifts. In addition, the angle brackets tend to bend under tension applied by the taut band, again causing the band to slacken. It can also be difficult to pull the band sufficiently tight around the post with the angle brackets without stripping the thread on the tightening bolt.

United States Patent 4,813,182 discloses a gate, having a stile and rail which abut side face to end face and which are held together by a bolt passing at right angles through the end face to pull against a plate located in a slot . Straps, are used to reinforce the hanging and shutting stiles and to carry hanging and latching parts. A latching mechanism, includes a latching bar that is pivotally connected to the shutting stile towards its middle by a flange. A leaf spring urges the bar into a latching position at which, when the gate is shut, the bar is caught behind upper and lower retainers mounted on a shutting gatepost. By pulling on a handle, the bar can be rocked free of the retainers to permit the gate to be opened. Upper and lower hinge brackets for mounting on a hanging gatepost are also provided.

United States Patent 5,035,084 discloses a gate fitting for securing a gate to a gateway post. The fitting has support means for connecting to a gate frame member. The support means includes a gate hinge member for hinged mounting of the frame member, or a gate closure member for connecting to 2 the frame member to securely retain the gate in a closed position in a gateway. Mounting means is provided for mounting the support means on a gateway post. The mounting means includes at least one elongate binding member for extending from the support means and about gateway post.

The above are examples of known gate supports and latching assemblies .

INVENTION

This invention provides an alternative to the many known latch assemblies for a gate. The invention provides a slam catch assembly and an associated support assembly co operating with the slam catch assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a slam catch assembly for a gate which is effective in ensuring retention of a closed gate even under load and which is reliable to maintain closure. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slam catch assembly which is accurately secured to a gatepost, and which is firmly retained on a gate post yet permits ready adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway in order to optimise gate opening and closing.

With this in mind, the present invention provides a slam catch assembly fitting for securing a gate to a gateway post, including: support means for connecting to a gate frame member; and, mounting means for mounting the support means on a gateway post, the mounting means including at least one elongate binding member for extending from the support means and about the gateway post.

The present invention also provides a set of gate fittings for hanging and closing. According to one embodiment there is provided a single slam catch assembly and according to an alternative embodiment there are at least two slam catch assemblies.

The gate assembly has various constructions depending on its intended function. In a preferred embodiment, the fitting is a gate closure assembly which acts to releasably retain the gate in a closed position across a 3 gateway. Only one such fitting may be required for secure closure of the gate. The set of gate fittings provides the necessary variety of fitting constructions to enable hinged and retained closure of the gate, and the number of slam catch assemblies may vary according to the type of gate and fence, as will be well appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises: a gate assembly comprising a gate including a first stile, a second side stile and transverse rails extending therebetween, the second stile and transverse rails defining a gate plane; the first side stile co operating with a hinged support assembly allowing attachment of the gate via the hinged support assembly to an adjacent support post to enable the gate to swing relative to said support post; the second stile including a retractable latching arm and means for supporting at least part of said latching arm, a free end of said latching arm capable of movement between a first position in which the free end is advanced into engagement with a striker plate supported on a second support post and a second position in which the free end is retracted on contact with the striker plate during closure of the gate; the striker plate located on a support post at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the latch bolt wherein, the second post includes means to resist deflection of the post as the latching arm engages said plate during closing of the gate; the co -operation of the gate with the hinged support assembly permitting adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway through a wide angle of gate opening and closing of at least 180 degrees; wherein the hinge assembly is laterally off set relative to the support post allowing connection of the first stile to the hinge assembly at an offset position relative to the plane of the gate; thereby allowing the gate to displace fully outside a plane that the gate adopts in the closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment, as the gate is closed by the slam catch assembly a displacement hinge accommodate riding of the gate into its 4 closed position during closure, This ensures that the gate will not rebound from closure

The striker plate is located on a support post, the support post including a restraining plate which prevents said support post from displacement when said free end of said latching arm engages the striker plate during closing of said gate. According to a preferred embodiment the assembly also comprises a displacement hinge which allows displacement of said first stile of the gate when the gate is closing.

Preferably the latching arm is biased to the second position in which the free end is retracted by a biasing spring. .

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a slam catch assembly for a gate comprising; a retractable latching arm and means for supporting said latching arm, a striker plate attached to a post adjacent said gate which co operates with said latching arm; a free end of said latching arm capable of movement between a first position in which the free end is advanced into engagement with a striker plate and a second position in which the free end is retracted under the action of the striker plate the assembly further comprising a hinge assembly opposite said slam catch assembly which rides to accommodate said gate during closure against said slam catch assembly. .

Preferably the striker plate is located on a support post and the support post includes a restraining plate which prevents said support post from displacement when said free end of said latching arm engages the striker plate during closing of said gate.

According to a preferred embodiment the gate includes first and second side stiles and upper and lower rails; the first side stile receiving at least two 5 hinge assemblies for attachment to a support post to enable the gate to swing relative to said post,.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a gate assembly for securing a gate to a gateway post and allowing closure of the gate against a slam catch, the gate assembly comprising: support means for connecting to a gate post member; and, mounting means for mounting the support means on a gateway post, the mounting means including a pair of elongate hinges members each connected to the gate post member; the gate movable relative to the post; a second post including a striker plate which co operates with a retractable member attached to a stile of said gate; such that the retractable member moves between a first position in which the member is advanced and a second position adopted under the bias of the striker place during closing of the gate.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a cattle yard panel for use in forming with like panels a gated enclosure; the enclosure including a gate have a first stile which is retained by a hinged connection and a second stile which includes a slam catch assembly; the slam catch assembly for the gate comprising; a retractable latching arm and means for supporting said latching arm, a striker plate attached to a post adjacent said gate which co operates with said latching arm; a free end of said latching arm capable of movement between a first position in which the free end is advanced into engagement with a striker plate and a second position in which the free end is retracted under the action of the striker plate the assembly further comprising a hinge assembly opposite said 6 slam catch assembly which rides to accommodate said gate during closure against said slam catch assembly. .

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a panel for use with a slam catch assembly; the panel comprising ; spaced apart posts joined by at least one intermediate rail, each said posts including top and bottom connection plates and at least one intermediate plate, wherein each said plates engage corresponding top bottom and intermediate plates on at least a second panel which engages an adjacent panel, wherein the panels define a yard capable of retaining animals; wherein the panels forming the yard terminate in an opening having a gate, at least one of the panels having a striker element, the gate including a latch bolt which is capable of advancing and retracting under the action of the striker element, the striker element retaining the bolt in locking engagement therewith when the gate is closed.

In another broad form the present invention comprises: a gate assembly for securing a gate to a gateway support frame and allowing closure of the gate against a slam catch, the gate assembly comprising: hinge means for connecting the gate to a gate stile member and mounting on a gateway post, the mounting means including a pair of elongate hinges members each connected to the gate post member; the gate movable relative to the stile; a second stile including a striker plate which co operates with a retractable bolt and which is attached to a stile of said gate; such that the retractable bolt moves between a first position in which the member is advanced and a second position adopted under the bias of the striker plate during closing of the gate, wherein, as the gate closes deflection of the stile is resisted by an intermediate connection between the stile against which the gate closes and a fence panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 7

The invention will now be described in more detail according to a preferred but non limiting embodiment and with reference to the accompanying illustrations.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a panel of indefinite length showing free end connectors according to a preferred embodiment

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of a section of the panel of figure 1 with free end top plate connector

Figure 3 shows a perspective enlarged view of a mid plate connector for engaging two panels according to a preferred embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a junction between two panels having top bottom and intermediate connectors.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a section of the panels in bolted engagement as shown in figure 4.

Figure 6 shows the slam catch assembly of figure 6 fitted to a gate post and supporting fence panel.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of a slam catch assembly according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention to be described below according to a preferred embodiment provides a slam catch assembly for a gate which is effective in ensuring retention of a closed gate even under load ( tending to open the gate ) such as by large animal impact and which is reliable to maintain closure. The present invention provides a slam catch assembly which is accurately secured to a gatepost, and which is firmly retained on a gate post yet permit ready adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway in order to optimise gate opening and closing. 8

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a panel 1 of indefinite length comprising posts 2 and 3 and spanning therebetween a series of rails 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Attached to post 2 are free end connectors 9, 10 and 11 according to a preferred embodiment . Preferably, connector 9 is a top engagement, connector 10 is an intermediate engagement and connector 11 is a bottom engagement. Attached to post 3 are free end connectors 12, 13 and 14 according to a preferred embodiment . Preferably, connector 12 is a top engagement, connector 13 is an intermediate engagement and connector 14 is a bottom engagement. Connectors of posts 2 and 3 allow engagement between panel 1 and a like panel or gate post.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of a section A of the panel 1 of figure 1 with free end top plate connector 9. Connector plate 9 includes opening 10 which is used to receive a bolt not shown ( see figure 4) to enable fixation of panel 1 to an adjacent panel at an intermediate location.

Figure 3 shows a perspective enlarged view of mid plate connector 10 for engaging two panels at a cental location along post 2. Connector 11 also provides a third ground level connection point.

Figure 4 shows a perspective abbreviated view of a junction between two normally disposed panels 1 and 20 and having top, intermediate and bottom connecting assemblies.

Panel 20 comprises post 21 rails 22, 23 and 24. Top plate 28 engages connector plate 9 which are mutually engaged by fastening bolt 23. Intermediate plate 24 engages plate 10 via bolt 25. Bottom plate 26 engages connector plate 11 via bolt 27. The aforesaid panel engagement regime ensures that there is no relative movement between posts 1 and 20 and particularly when gate loadings are applied as a gate is closed against the panel.

Figure 5 shows a top plan view of a section of mated panels 1 and 21 in bolted engagement as shown in figure 4. The aforesaid panels provide a 9 secure assembly against which a gate having a slam catch assembly may be slammed.

An example of a typical slam catch assembly will be described below with reference to figures 6 and 7 wherein figure 6 shows a slam catch assembly according to a preferred embodiment fitted to a gate post and supporting fence panel, and figure 7 shows the slam catch assembly of figure 6 (enlarged).

As shown in figure 6, gate 30 is connected to support frame 31 which is turn is connected to panel 32. Typically an arrangement of panels and support posts comprise such enclosures as an animal pen. Gate 30 comprises first stile 33 and second stile 34. First stile 33 is hingedly attached to post 35 of frame 31 and second stile 34 engages post 36 of frame 31. The hinged attachment of stile 33 to post 35 of frame 31 allows the gate to rotate up to 360 degrees from a closed position. Stile 34 includes a slam catch assembly 37 comprising a latch bolt 38 which is biased by a spring 39 to an advanced condition of engagement with a striker plate 40.

Gate 30 is anchored to post 35 of frame 31 via stile 60. Stile 60 has a hollow centre which allows gate to be mounted on a gudgeon 61. Gudgeon 61 is mounted on post 35 via a connector 62 which fixedly attaches gudgeon 61 to post 35. At end 63 of stile 60 is a bracket which includes an arm 65 which connects to gudgeon 61. Since gudgeon 61 is fixed to post 35 via connector 62 and since arm 65 is fixedly attached to post 35, this allows stile 60 of gate 30 to rotate relative to gudgeon 61. There is a clearance 66 between bracket 62 and the top of stile 60 which allows manual axial travel of gate 30 relative to gudgeon 61.

Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of the slam catch assembly 37 of figure 6. Striker plate 40 is preferably a slam catch having a sloped surface 41 which receives end 42 of latch bolt 38 during closing of the gate 30. Latch bolt 38 retracts during closure of gate 30 but advances to its fullest extent once the latch bolt 38 is disposed behind striker plate 40. The slam catch assembly 37 stops a heavy beast who might urge itself against the gate 10 tending to open it once it is closed. The beast cannot dislodge the gate as bolt 38 which is urged into position by biasing spring 39 is retained by striker plate 40. Hinged support of gate post 30 includes a gap on a top hinge which allows the gate to ride up under a camming action generated by the hinge during closure as bolt 38 rides up on striker plate 40.

Bolt 38 is naturally biased to an advanced position under the action of spring 39 which allows free end 42 to co operate with striker plate 40. Saddle 45 retains bolt 38 via a pair of downwardly depending arms 46 and 47 each having openings which allow retractable passage therethrough of latch bolt 38. Latch bolt 38 is in a generally horizontal attitude allowing it to advance and retract. Spring bias 39 is retained against arm 46 and sleeve 49 and naturally urges bolt 38 to its advanced position which will latch gate 30. Striker plate 40 is preferably a tubular section including a recess 50 which receives and retains free end 42 of bolt 38 to effect locking closure of gate 30. Striker plate 40 is arranged such that a longitudinal recess 50 is disposed at an obtuse angle relative to a longitudinal axis of latch bolt 38. since plate 40 is at an angle, as gate 30 closes, the component of a reaction force applied by the surface 41 of plate 40 against end 42 of bolt 38, urges bolt 38 away from surface 41 against the action of spring 39. Once end 42 of bolt 38 has cleared edge 51, spring bias 39 then urges end 42 into recess 50 thereby locking gate 30. To re open the gate 30 an operator must positively release end 42 of bolt 38 against bias 39 from plate 40. In use, when gate 30 is slammed against surface 41 of plate 40, the slamming force is enough to urge latch bolt 38 back against spring bias 39. The fittings are robust and are preferably all made from steel to withstand the heavy duty applied loads.

Post 36 of frame 31 is restrained against deflection under gate closing loads by an intermediate mutual connection 52 between post 36 and panel 32. Since gate 30 and more particularly bolt end 42 will be thrust hard against striker plate surface 41 during closing of the gate, there will be a tendency for post 36 to react by deflection away from the applied load which could inhibit closing and result in back swing of the gate. This can be dangerous when heavy animals must be retained by the gate. Intermediate connection 11 52 which is connected between post 36 and stile 53 resists this tendency and stablises the post 36 under lateral applied load.

The assembly described above has a number of advantages over the prior art arrangements which include the following. Firstly, the slam catch assembly prevents the gate from unwanted opening once closed, in a case where an animal attempts to impact the gate after entry into a pen. Also, the gate has a further advantage due to its hinging arrangement, of a wide arc of travel and the manner of engagement of the panels - top intermediate and bottomforming the pen prevents deflection of the panel posts during gate closure. In the prior art arrangements such deflection can cause the gate to become free of its latching, allowing an animal to escape. Further the slam catch assembly allows the gate to be slammed shut without springing open and resists slamming heavy duty loads.

Preferably, there is a single slam catch assembly per gate and according to an alternative embodiment there are two spaced apart slam catch assemblies. The number of assemblies will depend upon the strength of the gate closure but in most cases one assembly will suffice.

Panel 32 as shown in figure 6 is an example of a typical gate, support frame slam catch and panel arrangement which provides a robust construction and closure assembly for an animal pen. The intermediate connection 52 provides resistance against post displacement during closing to avoid unwanted re opening of the gate such as through re bound from animal impact.

The striker plate will typically be located on a support post, which includes a restraining plate which prevents the support post from displacement when the free end of the latching arm engages the striker plate during closing of the gate. The displacement hinge allows momentary displacement of a panel post adjacent the gate post during closing. 12 2017200349 18 Jan 2017 5 10 15 20

It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modification may be made to the invention broadly described herein with out departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention. 13

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1 A gate assembly comprising a gate including a first stile, a second side stile and transverse rails extending therebetween, the second stile and transverse rails defining a gate plane; the first side stile co operating with a hinged support assembly allowing attachment of the gate via the hinged support assembly to an adjacent support post to enable the gate to swing relative to said support post; the second stile including a retractable latching arm and means for supporting at least part of said latching arm, a free end of said latching arm capable of movement between a first position in which the free end is advanced into engagement with a striker plate supported on a second support post and a second position in which the free end is retracted on contact with the striker plate during closure of the gate; the striker plate located on a support post at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the latch bolt wherein, the second post includes means to resist deflection of the post as the latching arm engages said plate during closing of the gate; the co -operation of the gate with the hinged support assembly permitting adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway through a wide angle of gate opening and closing of at least 180 degrees; wherein the hinge assembly is laterally off set relative to the support post allowing connection of the first stile to the hinge assembly at an offset position relative to the plane of the gate; thereby allowing the gate to displace fully outside a plane that the gate adopts in the closed position.
2. A gate assembly according to claim 1 wherein hinge assembly allows axial and rotational displacement of said first stile of the gate when the gate is opening or closing.
3. A gate assembly according to claim 2 wherein, the displacement hinge assembly accommodates riding of the gate to its closed position during closure of the gate to the latching arm striking the striker plate.
4. A gate assembly according to claim 3 wherein, the hinge assembly comprises a saddle support which pivotally engages a stile of the gate.
5. A gate assembly according to claim 4 wherein, the hinge assembly includes separate gudgeons fixed at two separate points to the support post, a post of the frame.
9. A gate assembly according to claim 8 wherein the stile of the gate receives the gudgeon in concentric engagement. 10 A gate according to claim 9 wherein, the stile engages the gudgeon so that the gate is capable of axial travel on the gudgeon. 11 A gate catch assembly according to claim 10 wherein, the post is restrained from movement during closure of the gate by a joining member which transfers loads induced on the striker plate to an adjacent panel by impact from the bolt via a second support post.
12. A gate assembly according to claim 11 further comprising a connection member between the second post and the panel which allows transfer of an impact load applied on the striker plate from the bolt during closing of the gate to a fence panel.
13. A gate assembly according to claim 3 wherein, the latching arm is naturally biased to a position in which its free end is extended by a biasing spring.
14. A gate assembly according to claim 13 wherein engagement between the latching arm and the striker plate causes the free end of the latching arm to momentarily retract against the striker plate against the spring bias as the gate closes.
15. A gate assembly according to claim 14 wherein a fixing lug connected at one end to the second post and at another end to a fence panel resists deflection of the second post during closing of the gate; 16 A gate assembly according to claim 15 wherein, the lug is a restraining plate which transfers gate closing loads generated as the gate closes to a fence panel via the second post.
17. A gate assembly wherein the latching arm and striker plate co operate to form a slam catch operating by slamming the gate. 18 A slam catch gate latching assembly for securing a gate to a gateway support frame and allowing closure of the gate; the gate assembly comprising: a hinge assembly for connecting the gate to and mounting on a gateway support post, the hinge assembly including a pair of elongate hinges each connected to and laterally extending from the gate post member; a second post including a striker plate which co operates with a retractable bolt which is attached to a stile of said gate; wherein, the retractable bolt moves between a first position in which the member is advanced and a second position under the bias of the striker plate during closing of the gate, wherein, as the gate closes, deflection of the second post is resisted by an intermediate connection between the post against which the gate closes and an adjacent fence panel; wherein the gate is secured to the hinge assembly to permit adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway through a wide angle of gate opening and closing of at least 180 degrees; wherein the hinge assembly is laterally off set relative to the support post allowing connection of the first stile to the hinge assembly at an offset position relative to the plane of the gate; thereby allowing the gate to displace fully outside a plane that the gate adopts in the closed position.
19. A slam catch gate assembly further comprising a fixing lug connected at one end to the second post and at another end to a fence panel to resist deflection of the second post during closing of the gate, the lug comprising a restraining plate which transfers gate closing loads generated as the gate closes to the fence panel via the second post.
20. A slam catch gate latching assembly according to claim 19 wherein the panel comprises spaced apart posts joined by at least one intermediate rail, each said posts including top and bottom connection plates and at least one intermediate plate, wherein each said plates engage corresponding top bottom and intermediate plates on at least a second panel which engages an adjacent panel.
21. A slam catch gate latching assembly, according to claim 20 wherein multiple panels co operate to form a yard capable of retaining animals.
22. A slam catch gate latching assembly according to claim 21 wherein, the panels forming the yard terminate in an opening having a gate supported by a mounting frame.
23. A portable modular assembly for housing animals, the assembly comprising; a plurality of panels defining a space provided for animals, a frame having post supports connected to two of the panels and which receives and retains thereon a gate; the gate including first and second side stiles and transverse rails; the first side stile including a hinge assembly to allow attachment of the gate to an adjacent support post to enable the gate to swing relative to said support post; the second stile including a retractable latching arm and means for supporting at least part of said latching arm, a free end of said latching arm capable of movement between a first position in which the free end is advanced into engagement with a striker plate supported on a second post and a second position in which the free end is retracted on contact with the striker plate during closure of the gate; wherein, the second post includes means to resist deflection of the post as the latching arm engages said plate during closing of the gate; wherein the hinge assembly is laterally off set relative to the support post allowing connection of the first stile to the hinge assembly at an offset position relative to the plane of the gate; thereby allowing the gate to displace fully outside a plane that the gate adopts in the closed position; and wherein the gate is secured to permit adjustment of the gate relative to the gateway through a wide angle of gate opening and closing of at least 180 degrees; the means to resist deflection of the second post during closing of the gate comprises a fixing lug connected at one end to the second post and at another end to a fence panel; wherein, the lug is a restraining plate which transfers gate closing loads generated as the gate closes to a fence panel via the second post.