Wrap-Around Gate Latch for No-Drill Reversible Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gate latches require drilling into the gate post for installation and cannot be easily switched between right and left-sided installations without disassembling and re-fastening screws, complicating the installation process.
Innovation Solution
A wrap-around gate latch design that allows installation without drilling through the post, featuring a 'C' shaped base frame with detachable front and back parts that can be easily switched between right and left-sided installations using a movable hook and push buttons for double or single-sided operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gate latch is installed using through-holes drilled in the gate post, then the latch can be securely fixed and components can communicate through the post, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is divided into separate front and back components that are mounted on opposite sides of the gate post independently, eliminating the need for through-holes. The front component includes a push button and hook mechanism, while the back component has its own push button, allowing each side to be installed and secured separately without complex drilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible connecting element or mounting system acts as an intermediary between the front and back components, allowing them to communicate and function together without direct physical connection through the post. This intermediary mechanism enables the latch to function as a unified system while avoiding the time-consuming process of drilling through-holes.
2Reliability
If a gate latch is designed with fixed fasteners for installation, then the latch can be securely mounted, but changing the installation direction requires removing and re-fastening all screws
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly incorporates detachable and reconfigurable mounting components that allow the installation direction to be changed dynamically. The front and back components can be removed and reinstalled on opposite sides of the gate post without requiring removal of all fasteners, enabling easy adaptation between left-sided and right-sided installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch assembly is designed as a universal system that can be installed on either the left or right side of the gate post. The symmetric design of the front and back components, along with interchangeable mounting hardware, allows the same assembly to serve multiple installation configurations, eliminating the need for direction-specific models.
3Ease of manufacture
If a gate latch requires drilling through the gate post for installation, then the latch components can be directly connected, but the gate post is damaged and the installation becomes invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The installation method extracts the connection requirement from the gate post itself. Instead of drilling through-holes in the post to connect components, the latch system uses surface-mounted brackets and fasteners that attach to the external surfaces of the gate post, completely avoiding invasive drilling and preserving the integrity of the post.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses sacrificial or removable mounting elements such as surface-mounted brackets and external fasteners that can be easily attached and removed without permanently altering the gate post. These external mounting components serve as temporary connection points that protect the gate post from damage while enabling secure latch installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A gate latch assembly includes a base frame, a front member, a back member, and a moving plate. The base frame is configured to attach to a gate post. The front member is configured to mount to the base frame. The front member includes a movable hook configured to engage a striker bar in a latched position and disengage a striker bar in an unlatched position. The back member is configured to mount to the base frame. The moving plate includes a first end attached to the back member and a second end protruding into the front member. The moving plate is movable to disengage the movable hook from the striker bar.