Reversible mount gate latch with manual latch locking

A reversible mount left hand gate to right hand gate latch assembly and striker bar comprising:

• latch striker bar means with a striker bar extension mountable on the front face opposite the rear face of a pivotally mounted gate panel pivotal into open and closed states;
• a gate latch and latch mounting back plate assembly with the back plate mountable on a fence gate member and having a striker bar receiving opening with a rear end that absorbs striker bar closing impact directly with closing of said gate panel;
• a pivotal latch member pivotally mounted on said latch mounting back plate for pivotal movement up and down;
• pivotal mounting means pivotally mounting said pivotal latch member on said latch mounting back plate;
• pivotal latch member pivot position limiting means mounted on said latch mounting back plate;
• cam surface means on said pivotal latch member engageable by said latch striker bar to cam pivot lift said pivotal latch member as said gate panel is being moved to the closed state after which the pivotal latch member drops down to a latched state with the gate panel in the closed state;
• a striker bar receiving opening in said pivot latch member having a rear edge recessed back from the rear end of said striker bar receiving opening to prevent contact of said rear edge with said latch striker bar as said gate panel is being pivoted to the closed state insuring that the back plate absorb strker bar closing impact directly rather than such impact being imposed on the pivotal latch member and on said pivotal mounting means;
• the striker bar receiving opening in said latch mounting back plate is provided with upper and lower divergent entrance cam surfaces that guide entrance of the striker bar into the striker bar receiving opening with closing movement of said pivotally mounted gate panel and aid in insuring proper gate alignment and mutual support as the gate is drawn to the closed and latched state;
• and with said pivot latch member having two entrance lifting ramps symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of said pivot latch member with only one of said two entrance lifting ramps in use at a time depending on right or left gate mounting of said gate latch and latch mounting back plate assembly.