Hinge locking mechanism

1 . A gate comprising:

a hinge locking mechanism ( 1 ) for the gate ( 28 ), the hinge locking mechanism ( 1 ) comprising:

a locking component ( 4 ) that is connectable to the gate and which is biased against a first plate ( 16 ) that is connectable to a post ( 30 ) about which the gate pivots, such that the locking component is secured to or within the first plate when the gate is in the closed position, thereby preventing movement of the gate into the open position,

wherein a biasing means ( 2 ) biases the locking component against the first plate, and

wherein the locking component comprises at least two protrusions ( 6 , 8 ) disposed on L-shaped arms that each extend radially from a rotational axis of a hinge pin, then each extend downwardly and parallel to the rotational axis to spread load when force is applied to open the gate that accommodate separate recesses or cut-outs ( 14 , 18 ) in the first plate when the gate is closed, and

wherein the hinge locking mechanism ( 1 ) is configured for a user to operate the gate with one hand while maintaining three points of contact with a ladder.

2 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein a first spring ( 2 ) acts as the biasing means.

3 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein the biasing means is manipulable to disengage the locking component from the first plate, such that the gate is configured to be opened.

4 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein the locking component comprises three protrusions.

5 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein the locking component is in an inverted U-shaped configuration.

6 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein the locking component is connectable to a lever or handle ( 10 ) manipulable by the user, said lever or handle ( 10 ) configured to manipulate the biasing means to disengage the locking component from the first plate, such that the gate is configured to be opened.

7 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein the locking component is connectable to the gate via a second plate ( 12 ), to or within which it is secured, the second plate being mountable to the gate and rotatable relative to the first plate.

8 . The gate according to claim 7 , wherein the locking component sits above and rests within the second plate which, in turn, sits above the first plate.

9 . The gate according to claim 1 , wherein the recesses or cut-outs are positioned parallel to and on opposite sides of the hinge pin and in an outer edge of the first plate, and where the first plate comprises a disc shape.