Gate assembly
OwnerClint Nessethinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a gate assembly that can be configured to reduce the vulnerability of the gate to operation by a horse. In an embodiment, a lever operator is configured to extend above the head of a rider, such that a rider can reach up to operate the lever to open the gate. A configuration is illustrated wherein the operator lever moves relative to the gate as the gate opens and closes for providing full access through the gate area when the gate is open.
Claims21
A gate release assembly for use with a gate that includes a latch, the gate release assembly comprising:
- a support structure configured to support a lever, the support structure being configured to be coupled to the gate;
- and
- a latch control mechanism that is coupled to the support structure, the latch control mechanism being configured to be operatively coupled to the latch such that activation of the latch control mechanism releases the latch, wherein the latch control mechanism is configurable to be unreachable by a horse standing on four legs.
A gate latch assembly configured for use with a gate, the gate latch assembly comprising:
- a latch mechanism configured to be coupled to a gate and to a structure in the vicinity of the gate, the latch mechanism being configured to releasably couple the gate to the structure;
- a latch control mechanism, the latch control mechanism being configured to release the latch mechanism to allow the gate to move with respect to the structure, the latch control mechanism further being configured to be positioned such that the latch control mechanism cannot be reached by a horse.
A gate comprising:
- a gate assembly comprising first and second frame members and a swinging gate member, the gate member having first and second ends, the first end of the gate member being pivotably coupled to the first frame member;
- a latch mechanism that is configured to couple the second end of the gate member to the second frame member to restrain pivotal movement of the gate member with respect to the frame members;
- a latch control mechanism that is operatively coupled to the latch mechanism, the latch control mechanism comprising an operator mechanism that is configured so that it can be actuated by a rider on horseback, the operator mechanism being positioned at a height relative to the ground so as to be out of reach of a horse that is standing on four legs.
A gate latch release mechanism comprising:
- a lateral arm that is configured to be rotatably coupled to a gate;
- and
- a lever arm that is pivotably coupled to the lateral arm, the lever arm being configured to be coupled to a latch mechanism such that the latch mechanism can be released by pivoting the lever arm;
- wherein when the gate latch release mechanism is mounted on a gate, the lateral arm and lever arm extend outwardly on a first side of the gate, the lateral arm and lever arm being configured to rotate toward the gate as the gate opens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.