Abstract: A latch includes an angled bracket having a front flange and a rear flange, each flange defining a hole, a cylindrical bolt having a front end and a rear end with an orthogonal bolt handle located intermediate of the front and rear ends, and a coil spring. The angled bracket includes at least two substantially orthogonal contiguous sides which extend from the front flange to the rear flange where these sides contain a substantially U-shaped slot, a portion of which lies on one of the sides and a portion of which lies on the other side. The bolt is arranged relative to the angled bracket such that the bolt handle extends through the slot and the ends of the bolt extend through the respective holes in the flanges. The spring is arranged coaxial to the bolt and biases the bolt forward to a latched position. In order to move the bolt to the unlatched position, the bolt must be both rotated and translated for the bolt handle to move through the U-shaped slot.

Abstract: A connector for connecting panels surrounding an enclosure for cattle or horses allows one person working alone to connect adjacent panels. The connector comprises a U-shaped portion having a down-turned leg on one end and an up-turned leg on another end. The down-turned leg is pivotally connected to a post of a first panel. A post of a second panel is moved adjacent the post of the first panel. The U-shaped portion is then pivoted around the post of the second panel. A slidable sleeve, which is slidably engaged to the first post, is lowered to slidably engage the up-turned leg of the U-shaped portion, thereby connecting the adjacent panels.

Abstract: A gate latch assembly includes a pair of cover members having a common plane of symmetry. A first cover member defines a recess receiving an adjoining lever and spacer block, each having its own plane of symmetry perpendicular to the cover plane of symmetry. The spacer block includes a pair of recesses on opposing sides of the block at one end thereof for receiving the lever on either side of the block. The remaining cover member closes the recess and defines another recess with the first cover member for receiving a portion of a gate or other swinging member on which the gate assembly is mounted. The symmetry of the assembly permits it to be used for left-handed or right-handed and inside or outside opening. A preferred hinge includes a pair of identical post leaves and a gate leaf. Each post leaf includes a knuckle and a post plate supported tangentially from the knuckle by an extenison portion.

Abstract: A gate lock of the oarlock type having a locking member fixed to a collar at the end of the collar having the oarlock hingeably mounted thereto. The lock member is a push button lock having a lock bar which extends to engage the oarlock to hold it in the locked position. The lock member always remains fixed to the device in an operable position so the lock may easily be engaged.

Abstract: A latch for use with a gate includes a latch body having a planar mounting surface on a rearward side thereof with a pair of space apart flanges which receive a bolt in openings thereto. The bolt is positioned parallel to the surface of the gauge and is slidably and rotatably disposed within the flange openings. An enlargement on one side of the bolt will allow the bolt to pass through one of the flanges when in a predetermined angular position for removal. However an offturned end of the bolt extends rearwardly of the mounting surface, and the bolt enlargement is so oriented such that the bolt is not removable from the latch body when the body is normally attached to the gate.

Abstract: A positive gate latch having a striker bar and two vertical catch members held in place by two sleeves secured to a base. When the catch members are down, the striker bar (often referred to as a gate tongue) cannot move in either direction. The catch members are attached to an operating bar, allowing passage when activated from either direction. The gate latch may be locked in three separate positions, allowing passage in only one direction or may be locked allowing no passage in either direction. The latch is designed primarily for use on tubular structures, such as chain link fence.

Abstract: This application discloses a latch assembly for a fence gate or the like comprising a two piece relatively movable first assembly mountable on one wall of the fence and a second assembly having a flexible body fastened at one end to the gate and having a loop at the other end which is positioned over both pieces of the first assembly and is locked to the first assembly by a gravity forced movement of one of the pieces of said first assembly.

Abstract: The present lock is for use on an animal gate hinge having an eye fastened to the animal enclosure and a rod fastened to the gate and extending from it across the top of the eye and then down through the eye. This lock has a lower ring which can be slid up onto the exposed lower end of the rod below the eye and a latch swiveled to the ring and extending up from it for releasable attachment to the rod between the gate and the eye.

Abstract: A gate latching apparatus which incorporates a chain segment and a cooperating latch plate assembly. The latch plate assembly has a chain link receiving slot and a gravity operated keeper whereby the chain may be latched by pushing it against the keeper and into the slot but requires separate manipulation of the keeper in order to remove the chain from the slot.

Abstract: A latch shield for covering a latch assembly and preventing opening of the latch assembly from outside of a closure associated with the latch assembly. The shield has a hollow interior arranged for receiving the latch asembly and is attached to a stationary frame of the associated closure for spanning the gap between the stationary frame and a movable element of the closure when the movable element is in a position blocking access through the closure in order to prevent a tool inserted through the gap from releasing the latch assembly and permit opening of the closure.