A latch with multiple locking means for attaching to a door or gate, said latch comprising:
- a. first, second and third supporting bases for attaching to the surface of a door, gate or jamb, said supporting bases being substantially rectangular in shape such that the vertical dimension of each supporting base is larger than the horizontal dimension of the same, there being defined in each said supporting base a number of holes for insertion of screws or bolts therethrough, such holes being located, one toward the top end, one toward the bottom end, and at least two toward the center, spaced horizontally side by side;
- b. a striker comprising an elongate bar rectangular in shape and having first and second ends, said striker in a horizontal position covering the holes located toward the center of said first, second and third supporting bases, said striker having through the first end thereof four holes spaced in two rows wherein each row includes two holes spaced horizontally and side by side, said holes being in the same horizontal, vertical and diagonal planes, said striker including an aperture centrally disposed in the second end thereof,
- c. a double-pronged keeper defining first and second prongs spatially mounted, side by side, on the lower portion of said first supporting base, said prongs inclining from the front portions thereof toward said first supporting base such that said striker is slidable along said incline, said prongs including on the upper sides thereof a notch adjacent to said first supporting base such that said striker falls into and is securely held by said notches, said first prong including in the rear portion thereof an aperture in which a padlock is stored, said double-pronged keeper further including:
- (1) a rear plate having a top edge, a bottom edge, two vertical ends, a front, and a back, attached between said first and second prongs such that said striker will rest upon the top edge of said rear plate, the back of said rear plate being attached to said first supporting base, and the two vertical ends of said rear plate being attached to inside portions of said first and second prongs;
- (2) a forward plate having a top, a bottom, a front edge, a rear edge, and a first and a second end attached between said first and second prongs such that a gap is formed between the front edge of said rear plate and the rear edge of said forward plate and such that said forward plate is horizontal and the top of said forward plate lies in the same horizontal and the top of said forward plate lies in the same horizontal plane as the top edge of said rear plate, said forward plate including an aperture disposed through the center portion thereof;
- d. a first stirrup defining a generally U-shape and including an aperture defined in top and bottom portions thereof, said first stirrup mounted on said second supporting base such that an interstice is formed therebetween in which said striker pivots;
- e. a second stirrup defining a generally U-shape and including an aperture in a bottom portion thereof, said second stirrup mounted on said third supporting base such that an interstice is formed therebetween in which said striker pivots;
- f. a handle for opening and closing the latch by pivoting said striker, having a vertical member and a U-shaped member which are joined to form a substantially D-shape and including apertures defined in the top and bottom portions of the vertical member such that the aperture in the bottom portion of the vertical member communicates with the aperture in the bottom portion of said first stirrup such that a passage is formed through which a padlock may be placed, said aperture in the bottom portion of the vertical member communicating also with the aperture in the bottom portion of said second stirrup such that a passage is formed through which a padlock may also be placed.
- g. clasp means for prohibiting said striker from sliding and pivoting upward, said clasp means engaging the aperture in the top portion of said first stirrup;
- h. a chain connecting said clasp means to said striker, said chain including on each end thereof a circular band wherein one said circular band is engaged through the aperture centrally disposed through the second end of said striker and the other said circular band is connected to said clasp means, said chain being of such length as to prohibit said striker from sliding when said clasp means is engaged in the aperture in the top portion of said first stirrup;
- i. a ring around which said clasp means is affixed for keeping open a door or gate, said ring screwable into the exterior of an adjacent wall or other surface;
- j. a pivoting assemblage for opening and closing the latch by tilting said striker, said assemblage operable from the side of the door opposite the side to which said bases are mounted.
- k. an additional means for padlocking said latch.