Gate Latch with Dual Handles and Nested Strike
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate latches with hook-shaped latch bolts require large mounting holes and generate significant forces during door closure, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A gate latch design featuring two handles with pivot points and lever arms, a spring element for biasing towards a closed position, and latch bolt strikes with receiving and holding sections, allowing for easy operation from either side and accommodating misaligned latch bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hook-shaped latch bolt is used to secure the gate, then the gate can be locked securely, but large mounting holes are required in the gate profile
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is divided into separate components: a latch bolt that moves independently within a confined space, a strike plate with receiving and holding sections, and a handle assembly. This segmentation allows the latch bolt to function without requiring a large rectangular hole through the entire gate profile, as it only needs a small mounting hole to accommodate its movement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch bolt is nested within a confined space in the gate profile, moving within a limited area rather than extending entirely through the profile. The strike plate with its receiving and holding sections provides a nested structure that guides and contains the latch bolt movement, eliminating the need for a large rectangular mounting hole.
2Reliability
If a heavy hook-shaped latch bolt is used to withstand door rebound forces, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and mounting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strike plate is designed with different local qualities: a receiving section with a rounded bottom that allows the latch bolt to pass through during closing, and a holding section with a rounded top that engages the latch bolt to prevent opening. This localized functional differentiation provides reliable locking under force without requiring a complex overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex hook-shaped bolt that must pivot and hook behind the reception element, the invention inverts the approach by using a simpler latch bolt that moves linearly and is engaged by the strike plate's holding section. This reverses the complexity from the moving bolt to the stationary strike plate, simplifying the overall mechanism.
3Reliability
If the latch bolt must extend entirely through the gate profile to lock, then the locking function is achieved, but the mounting hole dimensions must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The latch bolt is nested within a confined space in the gate profile rather than extending entirely through it. The strike plate with receiving and holding sections provides a nested structure that contains the latch bolt movement within a short distance, eliminating the need for a long latch bolt extension through the entire profile.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces the need for large mounting holes and effectively secures the gate from either side, accommodating misalignment and providing a secure locking mechanism with reduced operational force.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element for biasing towards a closed position
Implementation Method 2
the first handle comprises a first pivot point between a first lever arm and a first latch bolt strike
Implementation Method 3
a first lever arm and a first latch bolt strike, and wherein the second handle comprises a second lever arm
Data Source
AI summary
A gate latch for use with a gate may include a first handle to operate the gate latch from a first side of the gate and a second handle to operate the gate latch from a second side of the gate.