The present gate includes a barrier frame and a gate in the barrier frame. The gate is opened by inserting a foot into a foot opening in the gate, which action compresses springs disposed about pivot pins between the gate and the barrier frame and draws an extended latch downwardly and out of a latch receiver that is bottomless, which action unlatches and frees the gate from the barrier frame such that the gate can be swung open. Downward travel of the gate is minimized until a foot pushes a pivoting stop out of the way.

Disclosed is a gate latch assembly comprising a gate latch cable including a pull loop on a first end of the cable, and a fitting on a second end of the cable, opposite the first end. In certain embodiments, the fitting is made from a zinc, zinc alloy, and/or aluminum which is die cast onto the second end of the cable and is configured to engage a gate latch and to maintain an alignment with a gate latch and/or pull loop such that a pull force on the cable is at an optimal alignment with the moment arm of the gate lock hook. In some embodiments, the end of the cable onto which the fitting material is die cast may be frayed.

A wire crate latch apparatus having, in a first embodiment, a pivoting member that is continually drawn to a closed position by gravity and that is deflected into a catch when the door having the pivoting member is swung closed. The latch apparatus further includes upper and lower stops to contain a distal end of the pivoting member and to hold the distal end in the position to hit an oblique portion of the catch when the door is closed. In a second embodiment, a sliding latch apparatus is deflected by a catch and is relatively inaccessible from inside of the wire crate by back plates on the latch and catch.