Abstract: A barrier, for extending across a passageway of a residence, that includes first and second gates. The first gate has width and height, each of which is less than the width and height of the second gate. The first gate is co-planar with the second gate when the first gate is closed. The first gate is pivotally engaged to the second gate. The second gate can be closed to, for example, minimize access of toddlers to the passageway, while the first gate can be opened to, for example, maximize access of small dogs to the passageway. One example of the passageway is the head or bottom of a stairway. The second gate, when closed, minimizes toddlers from falling down or climbing up stairs. The first gate, when open, permits small dogs to walk down or climb up the stairs.

Abstract: The present latch apparatus includes a swinging piece having first and second independent latches or sliders sliding in first and second slots. The first and second sliders slide independently of each other. The first and second sliders engage an undersurface of an extension of a first object such as a gate. If either the first or second slider is engaged on the undersurface, the swinging piece is locked and is not swingable such that the first object such as the gate cannot itself swing away from a second object such as a barrier section. Only when each of the first and second sliders has been slid beyond the undersurface can the swinging piece swing to permit the first object such as the gate to be released and thus swingable itself relative to the second object such as the barrier section.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A barrier for a home is disclosed. The barrier includes two portions that are quickly slideable relative to each other to take expanded and contracted forms. The barrier includes a metal frame and wood panels engaged in the metal frame. Each of the two portions includes at least one wood panel such that, when the barrier portions are slid to and away from each other, the wood panels slide to and away from each other. The barrier includes a corner pet door that opens in the expanded or contracted forms.

Abstract: A double door gate apparatus having a frame, a main gate and a secondary gate, where the apparatus includes the unique features of a) a latch apparatus between uppermost framework members of the main gate and secondary gate, b) the latch apparatus being weighted to return to a normally closed position, c) each of the main gate and secondary gates having an inverted U-shaped piece engaging the bottommost horizontal member such that each of the main and secondary gates need to be lifted prior to being opened and prior to being closed, and d) a pair of hand wheels on a common shaft that work together to space the double door gate apparatus a desired distance from a vertical surface such as a wall.

Abstract: A pet crate having a top, a bottom, and a cage between the top and bottom. The cage can be engaged to and disengaged from each of the top and bottom. When engaged to the top and bottom, or when disengaged from either one or both of the top and bottom, the cage is endless and can safely hold a pet therein. When disengaged from the top and bottom, the cage is foldable into a closed, endless and flat configuration such that the cage can be stored between the top and bottom such that the crate as a whole in such stored configuration is generally flat. When disengaged from the top and bottom, the cage is foldable out into a fence configuration by disconnecting two ends of the cage.

Abstract: A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.

Abstract: A first gate is disposed within a second gate of a barrier for extending across a passageway of a residence. The second gate can be closed to, for example, minimize access of toddlers to the passageway, while the first gate can be opened to, for example, maximize access of small dogs to the passageway. The barrier includes a locking mechanism between the second gate and a frame of the barrier.

Abstract: A barrier employed to keep children and/or pets in or out of certain areas in the house. The barrier includes four panels. Two main panels slide parallel to each other to lengthen or shorten the barrier as a whole. Two side panels stabilize the main panels and extend to the front and rear faces of the main panels to provide a self-supporting in-house barrier. Each of the panels includes a wooden frame. The wood lends less weight, less sharp edges, and more pleasing aesthetics than, for example, a metal gate. Legs are connected to the side panels to further stabilize the side panels and main panels.

Abstract: The present latch apparatus includes a swinging piece having first and second independent latches or sliders sliding in first and second slots. The first and second sliders slide independently of each other. The first and second sliders engage an undersurface of an extension of a first object such as a gate. If either the first or second slider is engaged on the undersurface, the swinging piece is locked and is not swingable such that the first object such as the gate cannot itself swing away from a second object such as a barrier section. Only when each of the first and second sliders has been slid beyond the undersurface can the swinging piece swing to permit the first object such as the gate to be released and thus swingable itself relative to the second object such as the barrier section.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A barrier for a home is disclosed. The barrier includes two portions that are quickly slideable relative to each other to take expanded and contracted forms. The barrier includes a metal frame and wood panels engaged in the metal frame. Each of the two portions includes at least one wood panel such that, when the barrier portions are slid to and away from each other, the wood panels slide to and away from each other. The barrier includes a corner pet door that opens in the expanded or contracted forms.

Abstract: A pet crate having a top, a bottom, and a cage between the top and bottom. The cage can be engaged to and disengaged from each of the top and bottom. When engaged to the top and bottom, or when disengaged from either one or both of the top and bottom, the cage is endless and can safely hold a pet therein. When disengaged from the top and bottom, the cage is foldable into a closed, endless and flat configuration such that the cage can be stored between the top and bottom such that the crate as a whole in such stored configuration is generally flat. When disengaged from the top and bottom, the cage is foldable out into a fence configuration by disconnecting two ends of the cage.

Abstract: A barrier employed to keep children and/or pets in or out of certain areas in the house. The barrier includes four panels. Two main panels slide parallel to each other to lengthen or shorten the barrier as a whole. Two side panels stabilize the main panels and extend to the front and rear faces of the main panels to provide a self-supporting in-house barrier. Each of the panels includes a wooden frame. The wood lends less weight, less sharp edges, and more pleasing aesthetics than, for example, a metal gate. Legs are connected to the side panels to further stabilize the side panels and main panels.

Abstract: A double door gate apparatus having a frame, a main gate and a secondary gate, where the apparatus includes the unique features of a) a latch apparatus between uppermost framework members of the main gate and secondary gate, b) the latch apparatus being weighted to return to a normally closed position, c) each of the main gate and secondary gates having an inverted U-shaped piece engaging the bottommost horizontal member such that each of the main and secondary gates need to be lifted prior to being opened and prior to being closed, and d) a pair of hand wheels on a common shaft that work together to space the double door gate apparatus a desired distance from a vertical surface such as a wall.

Abstract: The present wire enclosure includes a door formed of wire and a wall formed of wire. The door includes a door catch. The wall includes a wall catch. The respective catches engage and disengage each other through the employment of a vertical slide having the door catch. A finger receptor when pulled up in turn pulls up the vertical slide to disengage the catches. When in a down position, the finger receptor prevents the vertical slide from being pulled up.

Abstract: A gate apparatus having an automatically returning gate, an upper latch operated by an upper button, and a lower latch operated by an upper finger handle. Each of the latches must be opened to open the gate. The gate returns without the aid of a spring to a position close to the closed position or to the closed position by the structure of a pivot or hinge connection between the gate and the frame of the gate. Gate tubes are rectangular in section for their entire length. Wood panels are included in the gate and excluded from other portions of the gate apparatus to make the gate stand out to the user seeking to open the gate.

Abstract: A gate latch apparatus is disclosed for a residential safety gate. The gate latch apparatus includes a housing having opposable buttons. The buttons are squeezed to unlock opposing slides. The slides are slid to in turn slide a latch out of a latch receiver to permit the residential safety gate to be opened.

Abstract: A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member.

Abstract: A free standing barrier includes two panels that slide parallel to each other. Each of the panels includes a lower outer corner portion on which is mounted a foot. The feet, in combination with each other, hold the barrier upright and make the barrier free standing. One foot engages one sliding panel and the other foot engages the other sliding panel. Each of the feet includes an outward extension that works as a stop against, for example, a doorjamb, to prevent the barrier from being pushed, such as by a dog, through the opening that the barrier is intended to close off.