GB2218148A - Closure for a gate - Google Patents

Abstract

The closure incorporates a retaining member 1 located slidably within a housing 2 and urged by a spring 18 to a forward position; an inclined extension 19 of the member 1 integral therewith or welded thereto is struck by a receiver 21 to move member 1 backwards to allow the receiver 21 to pass member 1-the receiver 21 is then trapped by member moving forwards. Extension 19 forms a handle 20 for drawing member 1 back to release receiver 21. As shown, housing 2 has a plate 3 with a resilient member 5 welded thereto and a screw 7 is tightened to adjustably secure the closure to a frame member 20 of the gate. The receiver comprises a frame member 21 of a second gate or an elongate support attached to a gate post, wall or fence. A padlock 12 may secure bracket 10 and extension 19. <IMAGE>

Description

Gate Closure This invention relates to an improved closure for a gate and to improved gate systems incorporating the closure.

Gates are provided generally with some form of closure in order to enable them to be secured in a closed position.

Most closures comprise a device which is attached to a gate and incorporates a retainer which is a moving part designed to engage with a receiver. The latter is connected to or forms part of a gate post if a single gate is to be secured. However the receiver can be attached to a second gatae if a pair of gates are to be secured together.

One problem associated with conventional closures stems from the fact that unless precise measurements are made by the person fitting the gate the retainer and receiver may not in the gate assembly be found in register.

Consequently securing the gate in the shut position is prevented. Even if the gate has been installed correctly shifting of the gate supports can, in certain circumstances, take place subsequently with the result that the receiver and the retainer become out of register.

The present invention is directed to a gate closure which can be fitted readily to a gate and which avoids the disadvantages of existing closures.

Accordingly this invention provides an improved closure for a gate incorporating a retaining member located slidably within a guide and urged by a spring means to an advanced position the leading end portion of the member being inclined backwards towards the remaining part of the member so that when the inclined portion of the member enters into contact with a receiver the retaining member is moved from a first advanced position to a retracted position and then to a second advanced position where the retainer is secured by the receiver.

This invention is illustrated but not restricted by the following drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view taken in horizontal section of one preferred form of the device fixed to one of a pair of gates made of steel components.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 1.

In these drawings a retaining member (1) is located slidably within a sheet metal housing (2) extending lengthwise of the member (1). Housing (2) is provided with a heavier gauge metal plate (3) the end portion (4) of which is bent at right angles to the main part of the plate (3). A resilient member (5) is welded on to the outer surface of plate (3) so as to define a space (6) which can be reduced by tightening screw (7). A bracket (8) is secured conveniently by welding on to the bent portion (4) of base (3) and this in turn is connected to a member (9) having an eye (10) which can accommodate a hasp (11) of a padlock (12).

The sliding movement of retaining member (1) is controlled by a guide defined by side (3) and the ends of two screws (13 & 14) which can be fixed relative to the retainer (1) by two pairs of locking nuts (15 & 16) so that they are spaced sufficiently from retaining member (1) so as not to restrict its sliding movement. The two screws are disposed in staggered relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis of the casing. Movement of the retaining member is restricted by a stop screw (7) attached to the member.

This screw is also connected to one end of spring (18) the other end of which is connected to screw (13). The effect of the spring is to urge the retaining member in the forward position so as to protrude beyond a vertical frame member (21) of the gate.

A receiver contacting member (19) constitutes an inclined extension to the retaining member which is further extended to form a handle (22). The angle of inclination of the contacting member can vary although for most purposes an angle of about 45 degrees is satisfactory. The contacting member (19) can be made by either bending the retaining member providing that the latter is sufficiently long.

Alternatively a separate piece of metal can be welded on to the end of the member.

In use screw (7) is removed and members (4 & 6) are separated sufficiently to permit the insertion of the frame member (20) of the gate. The screw is then tightened sufficiently so as to ensure that the device has been secured firmly to the member. By this means the position of the closure on the gate can be adjusted. The gate is hung opposite a gate of similar construction. When the second gate is rotated in direction A, as shown by the arrow, vertical frame member (21) of the second gate strikes member (19) causing retaining member (1) to move backwards against the restraining action of spring (18).

Frame member (21) passes member (19) and pressure from member (21) on member (19) is removed. As a consequence member (1) returns immediately to its original position thereby trapping frame member (21). If desired the two gates can be further secured together with padlock (12).

In order to open the gate bearing the retaining member the latter is drawn back by means of handle (22) so as to release frame member (21). The second gate can then be pushed open. The present closure avoids the need for any precise measurements because it can be fixed at any convenient height on frame member (20). Furthermore the space defined by members (4,8 & 9) and the end of retainer (1) is large compared with the area of cross section of frame member (21) so that if in the course of time even a fairly large change in the relative distance between the two frame members (20 & 21) takes place the closure can still perform satisfactorily. An additional advantage of the present closure is that it can be operated from either side of a gate.

The present device can be used on gates of varying constructions whether they are made of steel or wood.

Where the device is to be used in relation to a single gate, member (21) can take the form of an elongate support for example, a rail or bar which has been attached vertically to a gate post, wall or fence post.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. A closure for a gate incorporating a retaining member located slidably within a guide and urged by a spring means to an advanced position the leading end portion of the member being inclined backwards and away from the remaining part of the member so that when the inclined portion of the member enters into contact with a receiver the retaining member is moved from a first advanced position to a retracted position and then to a second advanced position where the retainer is secured by the receiver.

2. A closure according to Claim 1 wherein the receiver is an elongate member secured vertically to a support.

3. A closure according to Claim 2 wherein the receiver comprises part of a frame of another gate.

4. A closure according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the retaining member incorporates a handle.

5. A closure according to any one of the preceding claims incorporating a housing and means for securing the housing adjustably to a gate.

6. Closures as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the drawings.