Gate opener

Claim 1

In combination, a first support means, a normally closed gate means hingedly secured at one end thereof to said first support means, a second support means adjacent the other end of said gate means, a latch means on said second support means movable between locked and unlocked positions, means on said gate means engageable with said latch means when said latch means is in said locked position to maintain said gate means in its closed position, an actuating means connected to said latch means for moving said latch means to its unlocked position, said actuating means extending therefrom to a location adjacent the approach area of the gate means, means secured to said gate means for returning said gate means to its closed position subsequent to the gate means having been opened, said actuating means comprising a flexible member extending upwardly and away from said latch means, said gate means being prevented from opening by said latch means until said flexible member has been longitudinally moved so that the engagement of animals with said gate will not cause said gate to be inadvertently opened, said latch means comprises a bracket secured to said second support means, said bracket having a first opening formed therein, said means on said gate means engageable with said latch means comprises a horizontally slidable plunger which is receivable by said first opening when said gate means is in its closed position, said actuating means comprises a lever element pivotally secured to said bracket, said lever element having a portion thereof which is moveable towards said plunger to push said plunger from said first opening to permit said gate means to be opened.