A server obtains a message that an authorization for requesting an action via a first apparatus is allocated, wherein the action can be caused by a separate control unit. The server compiles information that identifies the action and that allows the first apparatus to check the authorization. The compiled information is transmitted to a second apparatus. The first apparatus can obtain a message from the second apparatus, which is used to request the causing of the action. The first apparatus checks the authorization for the request on the basis of the obtained message and whether the action is an action that is to be caused by the first apparatus or by the control unit. If it is established that authorization exists and that the action is to be caused by the control unit, then the first apparatus transmits a request to the control unit to cause the action.

A magnetic self-latching device for a gate has a main body with handles on either side for operation or has an arrangement to be remotely actuated. A latching body has a high strength magnet usually provided at the bottom of a cavity which defines a latching shoulder. The latching body is adapted to be fixed to a gate post. The main body, with its housing, can be mounted on the gate frame and incorporates a latch pin which, in the door-closed position, is displaced by magnetic attraction to an extended latching position and against the biasing of a return spring. The gate cannot be opened until actuation of the mechanism occurs, for example by rotating a handle to retract the pin against the magnetic force; the gate can then be swung open. When the handle is released, the biasing spring retains the latch pin in a retracted position.

The pushbutton combination lock has a lock bolt mechanism with a lock bolt movably mounted on a frame between a locking position and an unlocking position. The lock bolt mechanism further has two lock bolt actuating mechanisms arranged to move the lock bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position. The lock has a pushbutton combination locking mechanism for locking the first lock bolt actuating mechanism to prevent the lock bolt from being moved by the first lock bolt actuating mechanism to the unlocking position while the second lock bolt actuating mechanism is independent from the pushbutton combination locking mechanism. The pushbutton combination locking mechanism is further rotatably or slidably mounted to the frame such that the user can choose the side for locking and the side for free operation.

A barrier assembly is disclosed having a middle door portion that pivots about a vertical axis on one side of the frame. A linear extending actuator provides widening ability to the barrier assembly, and allows a more secure grip on opposing walls.

A fence system with a gate assembly mounted in a gap between first and second fence portions of the fence system. A hinge may be used to mount the gate assembly, where the hinge has a clamp fixed to a support with substantially the same cross-section, and the support is fixed to a first member of the hinge. A second member of the hinge can be mounted to the gate assembly with the first and second members being rotatably fixed together, thereby allowing rotation of the gate assembly between open, closed, and various other positions. A latch actuator can selectively secure and release a latch retainer thereby selectively allowing the gate to rotate to the various positions. A handle can be positioned proximate the latch actuator to allow gripping of the handle and manipulating the actuator with one hand, thereby releasing the retainer.

A fence system with a gate assembly mounted in a gap between first and second fence portions of the fence system. The gate assembly can be mounted directly to a post of the first or second fence portions without being mounted to pickets or backer rails of the fence portions. A hinge may be used to mount the gate assembly, where the hinge has a clamp fixed to a support with substantially the same cross-section, and the support is fixed to a first member of the hinge. A second member of the hinge can be mounted to the gate assembly with the first and second members being rotatably fixed together, thereby allowing rotation of the gate assembly between open, closed, and various other positions.

A gate latch assembly includes strike mounting plate and a gate latch. The strike mounting plate has a base portion and a pin attachment portion. The gate latch has a second base portion and a pin engagement portion extending from a mid-portion of the second base portion. This pin engagement portion has a first prong and a second prong separated by a slot. A latch is pivotally mounted to the first prong and effective to releasably restrain a pin within the slot. The pin is affixed to the strike mounting plate and has a length effective to engage the slot. One feature of the assembly is that it is equally suitable for gates that swing to the left and for gates that swing to the right. Further, by changing the configuration of the pin, the gate latch assembly is suitable for sliding gates.

A gravity gate latch that is sized and configured to be positioned in the gap between the free end of a gate and a stationary object when the end of the gate is adjacent the stationary object to automatically engage a strike member on the gate. The gate latch has a pair of side plates that are spaced apart to define a space that encloses a lever actuating mechanism and a hook plate. The hook plate has a hook member that engages the strike member of the gate. The lever actuating mechanism has a pair of lever arms, which can be accessed from either side of the gate, that move the hook plate upward to disengage the strike member. A lock receiving member at the bottom of the gate latch receives a padlock to lock the gate latch. The padlock can also be accessed from either side of the gate.

A gravity gate latch that is positioned near the free end of a gate to automatically engage a strike member. The gate latch has a pair of side plates that are spaced apart to define to enclose a hook plate and a sliding mechanism. The hook plate has a hook member that engages the strike member of the gate and a slot that engages the sliding mechanism to allow the hook plate to move upward and downward between the two side plates. The side plates define an enlarged latch mouth that receives the strike member. The hook member has an elongated edge to be hit by the strike member to lift the hook plate to allow the strike member to pass through the latch mouth and an enlarged area that is hit by the strike member to close the hook member to trap the strike member in the gate latch.

This invention relates to a latch (preferably a slam latch) and to methods of operating a door/gate/panel using the latch. The latch comprises: (i) a mounting body; (ii) a latch bolt mounted relative to the mounting body for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, said latch bolt having a keeper-engaging region extending from the mounting body and terminating at a keeper-engaging end; and (iii) a keeper having at least a first wall and a second wall which are spaced to define an opening for receiving the keeper-engaging region, wherein the first and second walls are adapted to engage the keeper-engaging region of the latch bolt when the latch bolt is in the locking position.