Adjustable ornamental gate latch

Claim 2

A non-handed latch for gates and the like, comprising a bilaterally symmetrical striker bar, a bilaterally symmetrical strike adapted to be secured to a fixed jamb adjacent the gate, and including means for receiving and retaining one end of the striker bar in a latched position, and bilaterally symmetrical mounting means for mounting the striker bar on the gate to be pivoted between latched and unlatched positions, said mounting means including bilaterally symmetrical means for securing the striker bar on the mounting means in any one of a range of extended positions, the bilaterally symmetrical parts permitting the latch to be used with either a right-handed or a left-handed gate.

Claim 3

A latch according to claim 1 wherein said means for securing the striker bar includes a channel member and a plate member adapted to be drawn together over a portion of said striker bar.

Claim 4

A latch according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a bracket having an opened ear member for loosely receiving said striker bar, and there is further provided means interconnecting said striker bar and said opened ear member to orient the striker bar in a generally horizontal position when the striker bar is mounted in a relatively extended position, said interconnecting means comprises a resilient resinous clip adapted to be secured over at least part of said opened ear.

Claim 5

A latch according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes means permitting the striker bar to pivot relative to the mounting means about a non-fixed point.

Claim 6

A latch according to claim 1 wherein said striker bar includes lock-receiving means, and said strike includes bilaterally symmetrical lock-receiving means adapted to mate with the striker bar lock-receiving means.

Claim 7

A reversible latch structure of generally bilateral symmetrical design, usable with either right-hand or left-hand mounted gates, or the like, said latch structure comprising an elongate striker bar mounted for pivotal movement; a strike plate including a strike adapted to be secured to a fixed jamb, and including oppositely facing retaining means, each adapted to accept an end of said striker bar, depending upon whether a right-hand or left-hand mounting is effected; mounting means for mounting said striker bar on said gate, or the like, for movement between latched and unlatched positions relative to said strike, said mounting means comprising a bracket having a pair of spaced, slotted flanges which receive said elongate striker bar, and positioning means adjustably affixed to said striker bar thereby adapting same for mounting thereto at selected locations along the length of said striker bar, said positioning means sized to be received between said spaced, slotted flanges to limit the degree of lateral movement of said striker bar relative to said bracket, while permitting said striker bar to pivot with respect to said bracket, the adjustability of said positioning means permitting said striker bar to be mounted in any one of a number of extended positions relative to said bracket.

Claim 8

A reversible latch structure of generally bilateral symmetrical design, usable with either right-hand or left-hand mounted gates, or the like, said latch structure comprising an elongate striker bar mounted for pivotal movement; a strike plate including a strike adapted to be secured to a fixed jamb, and including oppositely facing retaining means, each adapted to accept an end of said striker bar, depending upon whether a right-hand or left-hand mounting is effected; mounting means for mounting said striker bar on said gate, or the like, for movement between latched and unlatched positions relative to said strike, said mounting means comprising a bracket having a pair of spaced, slotted flanges which receive said elongate striker bar, and positioning means adjustably affixed to said striker bar thereby adapting same for mounting thereto at selected locations along the length of said striker bar, said positioning means sized to be received between said spaced, slotted flanges to limit the degree of lateral movement of said striker bar relative to said bracket, while permitting said striker bar to pivot with respect to said bracket, the adjustability of said positioning means permitting said striker bar to be mounted in any one of a number of extended positions relative to said bracket.

Claim 9

A reversible latch structure according to claim 6, wherein said positioning means received between said bracket flanges, includes a pair of opposed members adapted to be drawn together to clamp said striker bar therebetween.

Claim 10

A reversible latch structure according to claim 6, wherein there is provided a clip member which is engageable with said slotted flange remote from said strike to maintain the striker bar in a generally horizontal relation when in the relatively extended position.

Claim 11

A rEversible latch according to claim 6, wherein said striker bar includes an apertured flange on the end thereof adapted to engage said strike, said flange being disposed at substantially a right angle to the plane of movement of said striker bar, and said strike including a corresponding apertured flange disposed parallel to said striker bar flange, which flange will align when said striker bar is engaged with said strike to provide a pair of coaxial apertures adapted to receive a lock device.