US1548154A - Gate latch - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 4, 1925.

M. ,R. MECHEM mm: LAT-CH Filed-A iana 1924' I 3mm I Mu.

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Patented Aug. 4, 1925.

UNITED i, STATES MAURICE R. MECI-IEM, OF CLARION, IOWA.

GATE LATCH.

Application filed April 18, 1924. Serial No. 707,446.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAURICE R. MEOHEM, a citizen of the United States, residin at Clarion, in the county of Wright and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Gate Latch, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in gate latches and has for its principal object to provide a simple and efficient device wherein a gate is adapted for swinging movement in ahorizontal plane, means being associated with the gate for holding the same in a lockedpositlon.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a gate latch of the above mentioned character, which is of such a construction as to enable the same to be operab'lefrom'either side of the gate so as to permit the gate to swing 1n either direction as the case may be. g V I A still further object is to provide a gate latch of the above mentioned character, wherein the gate will automatically be locked against swinging movement when the same is returned to its normal posltion.

;; "A further object isto provide a gate latch of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable and furthermore adapted for the purposes for which it is deslgnated.

Other objects and advantages of this in vent-ion will become apparent during the course of the following description,

'In'the accompanying drawing forming a part of-this specification and in which like numerals designate like. parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gate and the latch associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of Figure 1, showing an elevational view of the locking means, and

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof. In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numerals 1 and 2 designate a pair of spaced posts. Disposed between the spaced posts 1 and 2 respectively is the gate designated generally by the numeral 3 and the same may be of any well known constructlon. The gate 3 is hingedly supported at one end to the post 1 in the manner shown at 4 in the drawing and the opposite end of the gate has extending outwardly therefrom a pair of bolts 5 and 6 respectively, the same being arranged adjacent the upper and lower portions of the gate in the manners clearly illustrated in the drawing;

The locking means adapted to cooperate with the bolts 5 and 6 comprises a pair of supporting plates 7 and 8 respectivelywhich are mounted on the inner face of the post 2 in the manner shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, and this means being provided for securing the supporting plate to the post. As the locking means associated with each bolt is substantially of the same construc tion, the descriptionv of one is thought to s'uflic e'for the description of both. Pivotally 'supported'on each plate at their upper ends are the arms 9 and '10 respectively, the pivotal means therefor being shown at 11 and 12 The arms 9 and 10. converge toward their lower ends and pivotally support on their lower ends the bolt, engaging and receiving member1-3. I

The bolt engaging and receiving member 13 is preferably arcuate in design and the ends thereof arepivotally connected to the lower ends of the arms 9 and 10 in the manner shown at 14 and 15 respectively in the drawing. It is to be understood that the lowerends of the arms 9 and 10 are not in any way connected to the plates on which the same a-resupported so as to enable the proper operation of the arms and a-rcuate bolt engaging member in the manner hereinafter to be more fully described. Each of the upper arms 9 and 10 which are mounted on the plates 7 are provided adjacent their lower ends with the cars 16 and 17 respectively, the same being arranged on the lower faces of the arms and this construction provides a means for supporting the upper ends of the rods 18 and 19 respectively. The opposite ends or lower ends of the rods 18 and 19 are fastened to suitable chains shown at 20 and 21 respectively in the drawing and the opposite ends 'of the chains are in turn fastened to the upper faces of the intermediate portions of the arms supported on the lower supporting plate 8 in the manner shown at 22 and 23 respectively in the drawing, this construction is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2. As is further illustrated in Figure 1, the rods and chains are fastened to the upper and lower arms respectively at a point adjacent the supporting plate so as not to interfere with the outward or swinging movement of the gate 3 and the bolts 5 and 6 carried thereby. 1

Normally the bolts 5 and 6 are arranged in the arcuate locking members 13 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2 and the gate is prevented from swinging on its hinges 4. In order to open the gate so as to permit the same to swing in a horizontal plane, either of the rods are moved upwardly so as to cause the upward movement of the respective arm to which the same is connected whereby the arcuate members 13 are raised upwardly so that the bolts 5 may be out of engagement therewith so that the gate 3 may be swung to an open position in the direction depending upon which of the rods is actuated. In actuating the rod 18, thearms 9 are raised upwardly simultaneously swinging the arcuate members 13' upwardly on their pivots 15 formed on the lower ends of the arms 10. This will enable the gate to be swung outwardly in the direction away from the arms 10. By actuating the rod 19 and the chain 21 carried thereby, the arms 10 will be raised simultaneously swinging the arcuate member 13 on their pivots 14 so that the gate may be swung to an open position in the direction away from the arms 9.

After the gate has been swung to an open position, the arms 9 and the locking members 13 assume their normal positions and the gate may then be swung to a closed position and held in locked engagement by the locking members 13 automatically. In this operation, the bolts 5 and 6 will strike out the outer faces of the arms depending of course on the direction in which the gate has been swung to an open position and the striking of the arms by the bolts will cause a similar upward movement thereof and the locking members 13 so as to enable the bolts to enter the locking members and upon be- 1ng positloned thereunder the lockmg members will hold the bolts in locked engagement and against swinging movement.

The simplicity of my device enables the same to be readily and easily placed in position and does not require the use of any complicated members or the like for the purpose of actuating the same. Furthermore, the provision of a device of this character enables the gate to be swung open in either direction and the same may be returned to its normal position and held in a locked position automatically. A device of this character may be manufactured at a very low cost, and will further be strong and durable.

lVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is tobe understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A gate latch including a supporting plate adapted to be secured to a post, a pair of arms pivotally supported at their upper ends on said plate, said arms converging toward their lower ends, and a substantially arcuate shaped locking member pivotally supported at its respective ends to the lower ends of the arms.

2. In combination, a post, a pair of gate latches associated with the post each including a supporting plate secured to the inner face of the post, a pair of arms pivotally supported at their upper ends on said plate, said arms converging toward their lower ends, a substantially arcuate shaped locking member pivotally supported at its respective ends to the lower ends of the arms and adapted to receive a bolt, and. means associated with the arms of the two latches for actuating the arms on the same side of the locking member in unison with each other.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MAURICE R. MECHEM.

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