Adjustable Gate Latch Resolving Misalignment Without Hardware Damage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gates often become misaligned due to weather, seasonal changes, and other factors, making it difficult to securely latch them, which can lead to intrusion and requires frequent adjustments that can damage latch-assembly hardware.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable-latch system with an adjustable-receiver assembly and an adjustable-striker-bar assembly, allowing for vertical positioning adjustments without removing fastening members, ensuring secure alignment and preventing hardware damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If frequent adjustments to gate hinges, fence posts, striker bars and/or stationary receivers are performed to correct misalignment, then the gate alignment is improved, but the screw holes expand and latch-assembly hardware cannot be reattached
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is divided into two adjustable components: an adjustable receiver assembly with multiple receiver holes and an adjustable striker bar assembly with multiple striker holes. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component to correct misalignment without affecting the other, eliminating the need to expand existing screw holes while maintaining alignment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention provides multiple discrete positioning options (receiver holes and striker holes) that allow changing the vertical position parameters of the latch components. By selecting different hole combinations, the system can compensate for misalignment caused by weather, seasonal changes, or shifting soil without damaging the hardware.
2Ease of operation
If the receiver and striker bar are fixed in position, then the latch assembly structure is simple, but misalignment prevents secure latching
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamically adjustable one. The receiver can be repositioned vertically among multiple receiver holes, and the striker bar can be repositioned among multiple striker holes, allowing the system to adapt to changing alignment conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable holes provide multi-functionality by enabling the same latch assembly to accommodate various alignment conditions. The same receiver or striker bar can be mounted in different positions to correct different types of misalignment, making the hardware versatile without requiring multiple complete latch assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable-latch system including an adjustable-receiver assembly and an adjustable-striker-bar assembly. The adjustable-receiver assembly includes a receiver sleeve having a pair of oppositely-disposed channels formed therein and a receiver slidably disposed within the pair of oppositely-disposed channels. A first plurality of fastening members mount the receiver sleeve. The adjustable-receiver assembly further includes a receiver-sleeve cap slidably disposed within the receiver sleeve. The adjustable-striker-bar assembly includes a mounting plate having a striker bar extending laterally therefrom, a second plurality of fastening members for mounting the mounting plate, and a striker-bar cap slidably coupled with the mounting plate. A position of the adjustable-receiver assembly may be adjusted relative to the adjustable-striker-bar assembly without removal of the first plurality of fastening members. A position of the adjustable-striker-bar assembly may be adjusted relative to the adjustable-receiver assembly without removal of the second plurality of fastening members.