Gravity Gate Latch Lockable and Unlockable by a Padlock from Both Sides of a Gate

Abstract

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.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A gate latch having a lateral front side and a lateral back side, said gate latch comprising: a) a first side plate and a second side plate, each said side plate comprising a latch mouth defined therein at said front side of said gate latch; b) a hook plate between said first side plate and said second side plate, said hook plate comprising a hook member at said front side of said gate latch, and a latch hook; d) a lock receiving member engaged with said latch hook; e) at least one lever arm between said first side plate and said second side plate; and f) a plurality of spacers, each said spacer between, and fixedly engaged with, said first side plate and said second side plate.

22. The gate latch of claim 21, wherein each said lever arm is pivotally engaged with one of said plurality of spacers, and engaged at a proximal end with said hook plate.

23. The gate latch of claim 22, comprising a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein said first lever arm is at said front side of said gate latch and said second lever arm is at said back side of said gate latch.

24. The gate latch of claim 22, said hook plate further comprising an engagement opening.

25. The gate latch of claim 24, wherein each said lever arm is engaged at said proximal end within said engagement opening.

26. The gate latch of claim 24, further comprising a guide spacer between said first side plate and said second side plate, wherein said guide spacer is positioned within said engagement opening.

27. The gate latch of claim 26, each said lever arm comprising a guide arm at said proximal end thereof and positioned near said guide spacer.

28. The gate latch of claim 21, said lock receiving member comprising a slot, wherein a portion of said latch hook of said hook plate is positioned in said slot.

29. The gate latch of claim 28, said latch hook comprising an opening adapted for insertion of said lock receiving member through said slot onto said latch hook.

30. The gate latch of claim 21, said lock receiving member comprising an aperture adapted to receive a shackle of a lock.

31. The gate latch of claim 21, each said side plate further comprising a slot positioned therein, wherein said lock receiving member is slidably engaged in said slot of each said side plate.

32. The gate latch of claim 21, said hook plate further comprising a pull plate.

33. The gate latch of claim 21, said hook plate further comprising a second hook member at said back side of said gate latch.

34. The gate latch of claim 21, each said side plate further comprising a padlock aperture adapted to receive a shackle of a lock.

35. The gate latch of claim 21, wherein said latch hook and said lock receiving member are each medially positioned in said gate latch, said latch mouth of each of said first side plate and said second side plate and said hook member are laterally positioned in said gate latch, and said hook member is between said latch mouth of said first side plate and said latch mouth of said second side plate.

36. The gate latch of claim 21, comprising a first lever arm and a second lever arm, further comprising a guide spacer between said first side plate and said second side plate, wherein each said side plate further comprises a slot therein, wherein said hook plate further comprises an engagement opening, a pull plate, and a second hook member at said back side of said gate latch, wherein said latch hook comprises an opening, and wherein said lock receiving member comprises a slot and an aperture.

37. The gate latch of claim 36, wherein each said lever arm is pivotally engaged with one of said plurality of spacers, wherein each said lever arm is engaged at a proximal end within said engagement opening of said hook plate, wherein said guide spacer is positioned within said engagement opening, wherein a portion of said latch hook of said hook plate is positioned in said slot of said lock receiving member, wherein said opening of said latch hook is adapted for insertion of said lock receiving member through said slot of said lock receiving member onto said latch hook, wherein said aperture of said lock receiving member is adapted to receive a shackle of a lock, wherein said lock receiving member is slidably engaged in said slot of each said side plate, and wherein said guide spacer, said latch hook, said lock receiving member, and said slot in each said side plate are each medially positioned in said gate latch, said mouth of each of said first side plate and said second side plate and said hook member are laterally positioned in said gate latch, and said hook member is between said mouth of said first side plate and said mouth of said second side plate.

38. A gate system comprising: a) a gate having a first side having strike member engaged therewith and a back side; b) a latch post, wherein a gap is defined between said gate and said latch post; c) a lock having a shackle; and c) a gate latch positioned in said gap, said gate latch comprising (1) a first side plate and a second side plate, each said side plate having a latch mouth defined therein for receiving a portion of said strike member when said gate has a closed position; (2) a hook plate between said first side plate and said second side plate, said hook plate comprising a hook member and a latch hook, said hook member positioned for capturing said strike member in said latch mouth of each of said side plate when said gate has a closed position; (3) a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein a distal end of said first lever arm protrudes from said first side of said gate and a distal end of said second lever arm protrudes from said second side of said gate, wherein each said lever arm is pivotally engaged to each of said first side plate and said second side plate, and engaged at a proximal end with said hook plate; and (4) a lock receiving member engaged with said latch hook and positioned in said gap between said gate and said latch post, said lock receiving member comprising an aperture receiving said shackle of said lock.

39. The gate system of claim 38, said hook plate further comprising an engagement opening, wherein said gate latch further comprises a guide spacer within said engagement opening, and wherein each said proximal end of each said lever arm is engaged to said hook plate within said engagement opening.

40. A method of opening a gate from a back side thereof, said gate having front side with a strike member thereon captured in a latch mouth of a gate latch by a hook member, wherein said gate latch is positioned in a gap between said gate and a latch post, said method comprising the steps of: a) pressing down on a distal end of a lever arm protruding from said gap on said back side of said gate; b) pivoting said lever arm around a spacer engaged between a first side plate and a second side plate of said gate latch; c) raising, with a proximal end of said lever arm, a hook plate engaged with said hook member and positioned between said first side plate and said second side plate; and d) raising a lock receiving member engaged with a bottom portion of said hook plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiments and the best modes presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

[0027] FIG. 1 is a back perspective view of a gate system having a gate and using a gravity gate latch that is configured according to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention to secure the gate in its closed position;

[0028] FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the gate system of FIG. 1 with the gate shown in its open position to better show the new gravity gate latch and the strike member that is receivedly engaged by the gate latch;

[0029] FIG. 3 is a front view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 1 shown separate from the gate system;

[0030] FIG. 4 is a top view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 3;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 3 shown in its engaged condition with the strike member being engaged by the hook member of the gate latch;

[0032] FIG. 6 is a left side view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 5 shown with the hook plate lifted upward to place the gate latch in its disengaged condition;

[0033] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 5 shown with the first or front lever raising the hook plate upward to place the gate latch in its disengaged position;

[0034] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 5 shown with the second or back lever raising the hook plate upward to place the gate latch in its disengaged position;

[0035] FIG. 9 is a left side perspective view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 5 shown with the strike member and in its unlocked position;

[0036] FIG. 10 is a left side perspective view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 9 shown in its locked position with a padlock;

[0037] FIG. 11 is a partial exploded left side perspective view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 9 shown with the first plate separate from the other components of the gate latch;

[0038] FIG. 12 is a left side view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 11 shown without the first side plate;

[0039] FIG. 13 is a left side perspective view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 12 shown with the hook plate lifted upward to place the gate latch in its disengaged condition;

[0040] FIG. 14 is a left side perspective view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 12 shown with the first or front lever arm raising the hook plate upward to place the gate latch in its disengaged position; and

[0041] FIG. 15 is a left side perspective view of the gravity gate latch of FIG. 12 shown with the second or back lever arm raising the hook plate upward to place the gate latch in its disengaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] With reference to the figures where like elements have been given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present invention, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth below. The enclosed figures are illustrative of several potential preferred embodiments and, therefore, are included to represent several different ways of configuring the present invention. Although specific components, materials, configurations and uses are illustrated, it should be understood that a number of variations to the components and to the configuration of those components described herein and shown in the accompanying figures can be made without changing the scope and function of the invention set forth herein. For instance, although the description and figures included herewith generally describe and show particular materials, shapes and configurations for the various components of the new gravity gate latch of the present invention, as well as the gate and gate system with which the gate latch can be utilized, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is not so limited. In addition, the exemplary embodiment of the present apparatus is shown and described herein with only those components that are required to disclose the present invention. As such, many of the necessary mechanical elements for attaching and using the present invention are not shown or necessarily described below, but which are well known to persons skilled in the relevant art. As will be readily appreciated by such persons, the various elements of the present invention that are described below may take on any form consistent with forms that are readily realized by a person of ordinary skill in the art having knowledge of gravity gate latches, gate systems and gates.

[0043] A gravity gate latch that is configured pursuant to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is referred to generally as 10 in FIGS. 1-15. The new gravity gate latch 10, herein referred to as the “gate latch”, is utilized with a gate system 12 having at least one gate 14 associated therewith, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art, the gate system 12 and gate 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are typical of gate systems and gates that are utilized with a fence (not shown), which is used to enclose an area (also not shown) to allow a person to enter into or exit from the enclosed area. For purposes of describing the present invention, the gate system 12 is configured for the gate to open outward to the outside or front area 16 and then swing back toward the enclosed or back area 18 (i.e., as if used to control entry or exit from the back yard of a house). The views of the gate latch 10 shown in the figures are referenced as from the front area 16 or the back area 18. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the gate system 12 and the placement of the gate latch 10 of the present invention are not limited to the exemplary gate system 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For instance, the gate system 12 can be configured for the gate 14 to open in the opposite direction (i.e., towards the back area 18) instead of toward the front area 16, with the gate latch 10 of the present invention being positioned to engage the gate 14 or a component thereof, as set forth below.

[0044] In addition to the gate latch 10 and gate 14, the gate system 12 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a first stationary or fixed object 20 to which the gate latch 10 is attached. For purposes of the present disclosure, the first stationary object 20 is a post that is, typically at least partially buried in the ground, concrete or other material or is attached to another stationary object (such as a wall) or part of the fence structure. The first stationary object 20 is referred to herein as a latch post (hereinafter identified as latch post 20). As well known in the art, however, the first stationary object can be a wall of a building, such as a house, or another object that is fixed in position to engage the gate 14. The gate 14 is hingedly attached to a second stationary or fixed object 22 so it can laterally swing relative thereto. For purposes of the present disclosure, the second stationary object 22 is also a post that is, typically at least partially buried in the ground, concrete or other material or is attached to another stationary object (such as a wall) or part of the fence structure. The second stationary object 22 is referred to herein as a gate post (hereinafter identified as gate post 22). As well known in the art, however, the second stationary object can be a wall of a building, such as a house, or another object that is fixed in position to hingedly (typically) support the gate 14. The gate 14 has a first or free end 24 and a second end 26, which is pivotally attached to the gate post 22, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The gate 14 is positioned such that the first (or free) end 24 thereof is aligned with and opposite of the latch post 20 when the gate 14 is in its closed position 28, as shown in FIG. 1. When not engaged with the gate latch 10, the gate 14 is free to swing away from the gate latch 10 and latch post 20 to its open position 30, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0045] The gate 14, latch post 20 and gate post 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are made out of wood, having a plurality of vertical, generally upright positioned pickets 32, one or more horizontally disposed rail members 34 and one or more angled support members 36. As will be readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art, however, the gate 14, latch post 20 and gate post 22 can be made out of a wide variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, fiberglass and the like, and in a wide variety of different configurations. The gate latch 10 and gate 14 are cooperatively configured so the gate latch 10 will securely engage a component of the gate 14 or a device that is attached to the gate 14 to secure the gate 14 in its closed position 28, as shown in FIG. 1. In a typical gravity gate latch gate system, such as the gate system 12, a strike member 38 is attached to or integral with the first (or free) end 24 of the gate 14 so as to extend generally outwardly therefrom, as shown in FIG. 2. As described in more detail below, a portion of the strike member 38 is sized and configured to be engaged by the gate latch 10.

[0046] For purposes of describing the gate latch 10 of the present invention, the gate latch 10 has a first (or post) side 40 that is positioned, typically, in abutting relationship with the latch post 20 (first stationary object) and a second (or gate) side 42 that faces toward the first (or free) end 24 of the gate 14 when the gate 14 is in its closed position 28, as shown in FIG. 1. As will be described in more detail below, gate latch 10 generally comprises a first (or post) side plate 44, a second or gate side plate 46, a latch mouth 48 defined by the first plate 44 and second plate 46, a lever actuating mechanism 50 enclosed by the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, a lock receiving member 52 attached to or integral with the lever actuating mechanism 50 and a hook plate 54 that is moved by the lever actuating mechanism 50 to move a hook member 56 generally upward and downward, as best shown in FIGS. 3-15. When the hook member 56 is up, as shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 13-15, the gate latch 10 will be in its unlatched condition 58 and the strike member 38 will be able to move into or out of the latch mouth 48 (i.e., when moving from or to the open position 30 of gate 14). When the strike member 38 is in the latch mouth 48 and the hook member 56 is down, the hook member 56 traps the strike member 38 in the latch mouth 48 of the gate latch 10 to place the gate latch 10 in its latched condition 60 and, when the gate latch 10 is in use with the gate 14, place the gate 14 in its closed position 28, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3-5, and 10. Normally, the gate latch 10 is in an unlocked condition 62 that allows the lever actuating mechanism 50 to move the hook member 56 upward to receive the strike member 38 into the latch mouth 48 or to release the strike member 38 from the latch mouth 48. When the gate latch 10 is in its locked condition 64, the lever actuating mechanism 50 will be unable to move the hook member 56 upward and downward and, in typical use, the strike member 38 will be trapped in the latch mouth 48 of gate latch 10, as shown in FIG. 10. The lock receiving member 52 is structured and arranged to be engaged by a padlock 66 to place gate latch 10 in its locked condition 64. In a preferred configuration, the lock receiving member 52 has an aperture 68, best shown in FIGS. 3, 9-11 and 13-15, that is sized and configured to receive the shackle 70 of a padlock 66, as best shown in FIG. 10.

[0047] The gate latch 10 of the present invention is sized and configured to be attached to the latch post 20 and be positioned in a gap 72 between the first (or free) end 24 of the gate 14 and the latch post 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In one embodiment, each of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 have one or more mounting holes 74, best shown in FIGS. 5-11, that are sized and configured to receive a connecting element (not shown), such as a screw, bolt, nail or the like, that is selected to secure the gate latch 10 to the latch post 20 (or other type of first stationary object). In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 have two mounting holes 74. The mounting holes 74 on the first side plate 44 are aligned with the mounting holes 74 on the second side plate 46 so the connecting element can go through both first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, and into latch post 20, or otherwise engage the first stationary object, to secure the gate latch 10 thereto. The first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 have an upper end 76, above which the hook plate 54 moves as a result of the lever actuating mechanism 50 when the gate latch 10 moves to its unlatched condition 58. The first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 also have a lower end 78 below which the lock receiving member 52 hangs when the gate latch 10 is in its latched condition 60. The lock receiving member 52 also hangs below the lower end 78 of first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 when the gate latch 10 is in its locked condition 64, as shown in FIG. 10. In the embodiment shown in the figures, each the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 also has a slot 80 that is sized and configured to provide for free movement of the lock receiving member 52 as the gate latch 10 moves between its latched condition 60, with the lock receiving member 52 downwardly disposed, and its unlatched condition 58, with the lock receiving member 52 generally upwardly disposed in between the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46.

[0048] The first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, which are disposed in spaced apart relation to provide room for the lever actuating mechanism 50, lock receiving member 52 (when up) and hook plate 54, by a plurality of spacers 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D and 82E, best shown in FIGS. 3-4 and 9-15. The first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 are joined together, with the spacers 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D and 82E between, utilizing a plurality of plate connectors 84, which may be rivets, screws, bolts or other devices, that are received through connector apertures 86 in the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, as best shown in FIGS. 5-15. In addition to keeping the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 in spaced apart relation, the spacers 82D and 82E at the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 also function as padlock stop members that prevent the shackle 70 of the padlock 66 from moving upward much beyond the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 in order to prevent the shackle 70 interfering with the lever actuating mechanism 50 disposed between the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46. As explained in more detail below, the two spacers 82A and 82B at or near the upper end 76 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 are specially configured to allow components of the lever actuating mechanism 50 to pivot relative to the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 and, as a result, move the hook plate 54 up and down to move gate latch 10 between its latched condition 60 and unlatched condition 58.

[0049] The lever actuating mechanism 50, which is best shown in the partial exploded views in FIGS. 11-15, is structured and arranged to allow the hook member 56 to automatically raise up when contacted from the first (or front) side 88 of the gate latch 10 (where the latch mouth 48 is located), by the strike member 38 as the gate 14 moves to its closed position 28 and to allow the user to manually place the gate latch 10 in its unlatched condition 58 when necessary or desired by the user. As best shown in FIG. 12, the gate latch 10 has a second (or back) side 90, which is directed in an opposite direction from the first (or front) side 88 so as to be generally disposed in the direction of the back area 18 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The lever actuating mechanism 50 generally comprises a pair of lever arms, shown as first (or front) lever arm 92 and second (or back) lever arm 94 (each of which have a first end 96 and a second end 98), a guide spacer 100 and a latch hook 102, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The configuration, function and operation of these components are set forth in detail below.

[0050] Each of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 are pivotally connected to the spacers 82A and 82B near the upper end 76 of the first side plate 44 and second slide plate 46 so as to pivot relative to the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 and move the hook plate 54, and therefore the hook member 56 itself upward or downward. The second end 98 of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 pivot in an upward direction when the user presses downward on the first end 96 of either the first lever arm 92 or second lever arm 94. This will place the gate latch 10 in its unlatched condition 58 so the user can move the hook member 56 out of the way of the strike member 38 to allow the user to disengage the gate latch 10 from the strike member 38. Once disengaged, the user can open the gate 14. Because there are two lever arms (first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94), one on the first (or front) side 88 and one on the second (or back) side 90, the user can unlatch the gate latch 10 from either the front area 16 or back area 18 by pressing down, respectively, on the first end 96 of first lever arm 92 or the second lever arm 94. As such, the user will not have to reach over the gate 14, walk around to the opposite side of the gate 14 or utilize any string, cord, wire or other elongated member. The first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 will pivot in a downward direction due to gravity to place the gate latch 10 in its latched condition 60, when the strike member 38 is in the latch mouth 48, or to close the hook member 56 in the latch mouth 48 in preparation for contact with the strike member 38, when the strike member 38 is not in the latch mouth 48. As will be readily appreciated by persons who are skilled in the relevant art, the lever actuating mechanism 50 of the gate latch 10 is structured and arranged for easy and convenient latching and unlatching of the gate latch 10.

[0051] The guide spacer 100 is sized and configured to guide the movement of the hook plate 54 and the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94. In one embodiment, the guide spacer 100 is made out of plastic and mounted against the inside wall of the second or gate side plate 46, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The guide spacer 100 has a pair of mounting holes 104, best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, that are in alignment with the mounting holes 74 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 so the connecting element that secures the gate latch 10 to the latch post 20 (or other first stationary object) can pass through the guide spacer 100. As best shown in FIG. 12, the guide spacer 100 is positioned generally in the upper half (i.e., toward the upper end 76) of the second side plate 46. The guide spacer 100 is dimensioned to fit in the space 106 defined between the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 when they are attached together, as shown in FIGS. 3-10, and to engage components of the hook plate 54 and the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94, as shown in FIGS. 11-14.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 have a downward extending (i.e., toward the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46) guide arms 105 toward the second end 98 of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94, as best shown in FIG. 12. The guide arms 105 are cooperatively sized and configured with the guide spacer 100 to help direct the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 upward and downward in the space 106 between the connected first side plate 44 and second side plate 46. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide arms 105 are disposed in a slight outwardly directed angle to compensate for the angle of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 as they pivot when the first end 96 of the first lever arm 92 and/or second lever arm 94 is pressed downward by the user to unlatch the gate latch 10.

[0053] The latch hook 102 is utilized to draw the lock receiving member 52 upward in the space 106 along the slot 80 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, as best shown in comparing FIGS. 11-12 to FIGS. 13-15, and to evenly raise the hook plate 54 when the user presses downward on the first end 96 of the first lever arm 92 or second lever arm 94 for smooth and easy operation of the gate latch 10 from either the front area 16 or back area 18 sides of the gate 14. The latch hook 102 is attached to or integral with the hook plate 54 so as to extend generally downward (i.e., toward the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46) therefrom and sized and configured for a portion of the latch hook 102 to engage a slot 108 in the lock receiving member 52, best shown in FIGS. 13-15, so the lock receiving member 52 will move up and down with the latch hook 102, which itself moves up and down with the hook plate 54. As shown in these figures, the latch hook 102 has an opening 110 through which the lock receiving member 52 is inserted to hang from the latch hook 102 below the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 when the gate latch 10 is in its latched condition 60 with the strike member 38 in the latch mouth 48, behind hook member 56, or if the hook member 56 is closed so as to be in position to be contacted by the strike member 38 when the gate 14 is moved to its closed position 28.

[0054] The hook plate 54 and latch hook 102, which are preferably integrally formed, define a generally rectangular shaped engagement opening 112, best shown in FIGS. 13-15, that is engaged by the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94, the guide spacer 100 and the slot 108 in the lock receiving member 52. With regard to the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94, the second end 98 of each the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 is structured and arranged to contact the inside surface of the upper end of the engagement opening 112 to lift the hook plate 54, and therefore the hook member 56, upward when the first end 96 of the first lever arm 92 or second lever arm 94 is pushed downward by the user when he or she wants to pass through the gate 14 from either the front area 16 or back area 18. More specifically, when the user presses downward on the first end 96 of the first lever arm 92 (which he or she will do from the front area 16 side of the gate 14), the lever arm 92 will pivot the second end 98 thereof upward against the inside surface of the upper end of the engagement opening 112 to lift the hook plate 54 and hook member 56 upward so the strike member 38 may be removed from the latch mouth 48. When the user presses downward on the first end 96 of the second lever arm 94 (which he or she will do from the back area 18 side of the gate 14), the lever arm 94 will pivot the second end 98 thereof upward against the inside surface of the upper end of the engagement opening 112 to lift the hook plate 54 and hook member 56 upward so the strike member 38 may be removed from the latch mouth 48. In either direction, with the gate latch 10 in its unlatched condition 58, the user may then open the gate 14 and cross to the front area 16 or back area 18. With regard to the guide spacer 100, the guide spacer 100 engages the inside surfaces of the sides of the engagement opening 112 to evenly guide the hook plate 54 upward so the movement of the hook plate 54 and hook member 56 will be smooth and easy. With regard to the lock receiving member 52, when the hook plate 54 moves upward, as described above, it will engage the upper end of the slot 108 in the lock receiving member 52 and pull the lock receiving member 52 upward (if the shackle 70 of the padlock 66 is not in the aperture 68) along the slot 80 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, as shown in FIGS. 13-15.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second end 98 of each of the first lever arm 92 and the second lever arm 94 are bent back to go around the latch hook 102 (i.e., towards the first end 96) to form a generally U-shaped second end 98, as shown in FIGS. 13-15. This configuration allows the latch hook 102 to move freely relative to the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94.

[0056] The above operation of the gate latch 10 to move the gate latch 10 to its unlatched condition 58 utilizes the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94. In a preferred configuration of the gate latch 10 of the present invention, the gate latch 10 also has a pull plate 114 attached to or integral with the upper end of the hook plate 54 so as to extend above the upper end 76 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, as best shown in FIGS. 5-15. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the pull plate 114 is integral with the hook plate 54, as best shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 13-15. The pull plate 114 is sized and configured to be grasped by the user and pulled upward (away from the upper end 76 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46) to pull the hook member 56 out of the latch mouth 48 to place the gate latch 10 in its unlatched condition 58 so the strike member 38 can be removed from the latch mouth 48, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, and the gate 14 moved to its open position 30. With the gate latch 10 attached to the latch post 20 (or other first stationary object) and positioned in the gap 72 between the first (or free) end 24 of the gate 14 and the latch post 20, the user merely has to reach into the gap 72 and pull upward on the pull plate 114 to place the gate latch 10 in its unlatched condition 58 (with no padlock 66 in place).

[0057] In a preferred configuration of the gate latch 10 of the present invention, all of the components except the spacers 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D and 82E and the guide spacer 100 are made out of steel or other metal that is selected to be rigid and strong. To be substantially corrosion resistant, it is preferred that these components are painted, powder coated or otherwise treated. When manufacturing the components, they can be laser cut or formed by other processes well known in the relevant art. In one embodiment, the hook plate 54 also has a hook-shaped member 116 at the second (or back) side 90 of the gate latch 10, as best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, to provide symmetry, balance and allow the hook plate 54 to be placed in the space 106 between the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 in either direction. When putting the gate latch 10 together, the guide spacer 100 is placed against the second side plate 46 in a pair of small sized predrilled guide holes. The lock receiving member 52 is slid onto the latch hook 102 by inserting the slot 108 of the lock receiving member 52 through the opening 110 in the latch hook 102 and then directing it towards the bottom end of the latch hook 102. The latch hook 102, with the lock receiving member 52 at the bottom thereof, is placed onto the second side plate 46 with the guide spacer 100 in the middle of the latch hook 102. This also positions the hook plate 54 in position with the hook member 56 at the latch mouth 48. Rivets or other plate connectors 84 are placed into the connector apertures 86 of the second side plate 46 and the spacers 82A, 82B, 82C, 82D and 82E are placed onto the plate connectors 84. The lower three spacers 82C, 82D and 82E can be cylindrically shaped. The upper two spacers 82A and 82B, which are each associated with one of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94, respectively, are sized and configured to be spacers/bearings to allow the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 to pivot relative to the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46. The bent second ends 98 of each of the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 are placed on the latch hook 102 at the engagement opening 112 thereof and the first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94 are engaged with their respective spacers 82A and 82B (which also serve as bearings). Once the components of the lever actuating mechanism 50 and the hook plate 54 are in position, the first side plate 44 is placed on the assembly, with the connector apertures 86 thereof aligned with the plate connectors 84 so the plate connectors 84 go through the first side plate 44 and then secure the plate connectors 84.

[0058] As set forth above, the gate latch 10 of the present invention is sized and configured to be attached to the first stationary object (i.e., latch post 20) and positioned laterally (i.e., from the first (or front) side 88 to the second (or back) side 90 of the gate latch 10) in the gap 72 between the first (or free) end 24 of the gate 14. The lock receiving member 52 is positioned on the gate latch 10 such that when the shackle 70 is received in the aperture 68, the padlock 66 will hang below the gate latch 10 in the gap 72, as can be readily understood by viewing FIGS. 1 and 10. As such, a person wanting to lock or unlock the gate 14 will be able to easily reach, rotate and manipulate the padlock 66, such as by using a key or operating a combination mechanism, to place the gate 14 in its unlocked condition 62 (i.e., no padlock 66) or its locked condition 64 (i.e., shackle 70 in the aperture of the lock receiving member 52). With the padlock 66 in place, the gate latch 10 cannot be moved to its unlatched condition 58, because the upper end of the shackle 70 will bump against the spacers 82D and 82E at the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 and prevent the hook plate 54 from moving upward enough for the hook member 56 to clear space for the strike member 38 to move out of the latch mouth 48. Although this is required for security (i.e., preventing unauthorized persons from passing through the gate 14), it can be difficult if an authorized person wants to pass through the gate 14 when the gate 14 is in its locked condition 64. Unlike other gravity gate latches, which allow access to the padlock 66 from only one side of the gate 14, the gate latch 10 of the present invention will allow a person to always be “on the right side” of the gate 14 with regard to being able to reach the padlock 66 for locking or unlocking the gate 14.

[0059] In the preferred embodiments of the gate latch 10 of the present invention, the gate latch 10 is provided with several features that enhance the effectiveness and use of the gate latch 10. One such feature is the addition of one or more padlock apertures 118 in the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 that is provided as a place to store the padlock 66 when it is not in use in the lock receiving member 52. As will be readily appreciated by persons who use gravity gate latches, once the padlock 66 is removed to unlock the gate 14 and the gate 14 is to remain unlocked, there is usually no convenient location to set down or otherwise place the padlock 66 until it is time to lock the gate 14. With the gate latch 10 of the present invention, the user can place the shackle 70 of the padlock 66 through the padlock apertures 118 and let the padlock 66 hang there until it is time to lock the gate 14. The padlock apertures 118 in the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46 are positioned toward the first side 88 and/or the second side 90 of the gate latch 10 (shown generally toward the first side 88 in the figures). The padlock apertures 118 must be sized and configured to receive the shackle 70 of a typical padlock 66. In addition to providing a place to store the padlock 66, the padlock apertures 118 allow the user to leave the gate 14 unlocked (i.e., no padlock 66 in the lock receiving member 52), but provide an illusion that in fact the gate 14 is locked. For instance, from the front area 16 a person will see the padlock 66 in the padlock apertures 118 and, without detailed inspection, will assume that the locked padlock 66 hanging from the gate latch 10 is locking the gate 14 and will be unlikely to even approach the gate 14 in an attempt to gain unauthorized entry into the back area 18. The padlock aperture 118 feature will provide added security for the user.

[0060] Another feature preferably provided with the gate latch 10 of the present invention is that the hook member 56 is provided with an elongated edge 120, shown in FIG. 12, that provides greater tolerance for receiving the strike member 38 inside the latch mouth 48 of the gate latch 10. As well known in the art, many gates 14 of the type that are utilized with gate latch 10 have a tendency to sag, shift or otherwise move due to wood swelling, disrepair or improper build. The elongated edge 120 of the hook member 56, angling away from the first (or front) side 88 of the gate latch 10, provides increased tolerance for receiving the strike member 38 against the hook member 56 to receive the strike member 38 into the latch mouth 48 in case the gate 14 sags, shifts or otherwise moves.

[0061] In use, the user unlatches the gate latch 10 (when there is no padlock 66 in the lock receiving member 52) by pushing down on the first end 96 of the first lever arm 92 or second lever arm 94, depending on whether he or she is in the front area 16 or back area 18 side of the gate 14, or by pulling upward on the pull plate 114, which can be done from either side of the gate 14. The gate 14 is then free to swing to its open position 30. To latch the gate 14, the round section of the metal strike member 38 hits the angled face (i.e., the elongated edge 120) of the hook member 56, causing the hook plate 54 to lift upward and allow the strike member 38 to pass into the latch mouth 48. Once the strike member 38 has passed the bottom of the elongated edge 120 of the hook member 56 gravity causes the hook plate 54 to fall back into place, thereby capturing the strike member 38 in the latch mouth 48 behind the hook member 56 to securely place the gate 14 in its latched condition 60. At the bottom of the gate latch 10 (i.e., at the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46) there is a unique tear-drop shaped lock receiving member 52, with an aperture 68 therein, that is attached to the latch hook 102. To place the gate 14 in its locked condition 64, the user inserts the shackle 70 of a padlock 66 through the aperture 68 of the lock receiving member 52 and locks the padlock 66. With the shackle 70 of the padlock 66 inserted into the aperture 68 of the lock receiving member 52, the latch hook 102 is not able to move sufficiently upward into the space 106 to allow the hook member 56 to move out of the latch mouth 48 due to the upper end of the shackle 70 contacting the two spacers 82D and 82E at the lower end 78 of the first side plate 44 and second side plate 46, thereby maintaining the gate latch 10 in its locked condition 64 and unable to move to its unlatched condition 58. Because the gate latch 10 is mounted in the gap 72 between the first stationary object (i.e., latch post 20) and first (or free) end 24 of the swinging gate 14, the user can conveniently and easily rotate the padlock 66 to the side of the gate 14 (i.e., toward the front area 16 or back area 18) where he or she is standing to lock or unlock the padlock 66.

[0062] The unique design of the gravity gate latch 10 of the present invention allows it to be mounted in the gap 72 between the latch post 20 and the first (or free) end 24 of the gate 14. By placing the gate latch 10 between the latch post 20 and the gate 14, the gate latch 10 solves the problem of the inconvenience and difficulty of getting to the gate latch 10 or the padlock 66 when they are only readily accessible from one side of the gate 14. This unique design allows the user to securely and automatically latch and unlatch and easily and conveniently lock and unlock the gate latch 10 from either side of the gate 14. The first lever arm 92 and second lever arm 94, which extend beyond the outer edges of, respectively, the first side plate 44 and the second side plate 46, provide for easy opening from both sides of the gate 14. The large open latch mouth 48 and the longer elongated edge 120 of the hook member 56 allows the strike member 38 attached to the gate 14 to be more easily engaged and not jam.

[0063] While there are shown and described herein specific forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present invention is subject to modification with regard to any dimensional relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly, materials, size, shape and use. For instance, there are numerous components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present invention.