Gate latch system
View Patent ↗Disclosed is a gate latch assembly and method comprising a gate latch cable including a pull loop on a first end of the cable, and a fitting on a second end of the cable, opposite the first end. The fitting is configured to engage a gate latch and to maintain an alignment with a gate latch and/or pull loop such that a pull force on the cable is at an optimal alignment with the moment arm of the gate lock hook.
1 . A gate latch method, comprising:
applying a pull force on a cable coupled to a lock hook of a gate latch for pulling the lock hook to an open position, the lock hook including a hole disposed within a top planar portion of the lock hook,
wherein the lock hook is coupled to the cable via a fitting, the fitting being attached to the cable and releasably engaged through the hole in the lock hook, and wherein the fitting comprises:
a first traverse segment snuggly engaged through the hole in the lock hook and in a general cross alignment to the cable,
a first longitudinal segment extending continuously from an outer end of the first traverse segment towards the cable, the first longitudinal segment being in general alignment with the cable, the first longitudinal segment further including an internal wall configured to align against an external surface of an inner side segment of the lock hook, the inner side segment of the lock hook being adjacent the hole in the lock hook, and
wherein the fitting is configured to maintain the cable in perpendicular alignment to an axis of rotation of the lock hook, the fitting further comprising a second traverse segment extending continuously from an end of the first longitudinal segment opposite the first traverse segment, the second traverse segment further extending inwards to form a slot together with the first traverse segment and the first longitudinal segment, wherein the inner side segment of the lock hook is captured within the slot.
2 . The gate latch method of claim 1 , wherein the internal wall of the first longitudinal segment is flat.
3 . The gate latch method of claim 1 , the fitting further comprising a cable attachment segment which extends continuously from an end of the second traverse segment opposite the first longitudinal segment and towards the cable, wherein an end of the cable is embedded within the cable attachment segment and is in alignment with the first longitudinal segment.
4 . The gate latch method of claim 3 , the fitting further comprising a second longitudinal segment extending continuously from an end of the first traverse segment opposite the first longitudinal segment and away from the cable such that the second longitudinal segment, the first traverse segment, and the first longitudinal segment form a zigzagging shape that snakes through the lock hook.
5 . The gate latch method of claim 4 , wherein the second longitudinal segment includes a substantially flat wall configured to align flatly against an internal surface of an outer side segment of the lock hook, the outer side segment of the lock hook being adjacent the hole in the lock hook, wherein the inner side segment and the outer side segment of the lock hook are disposed on opposite sides of the hole in the lock hook.
6 . The gate latch method of claim 5 , wherein the internal wall of the first longitudinal segment is flat and configured to align flatly against the external surface of the inner side segment of the lock hook.
7 . The gate latch method of claim 1 , the fitting further comprising a second longitudinal segment extending continuously from an end of the first traverse segment opposite the first longitudinal segment and in a direction away from the cable, wherein the second longitudinal segment includes an external wall that aligns against an internal surface of an outer side segment of the lock hook, the outer side segment of the lock hook being adjacent the hole in the lock hook, wherein the inner side segment and the outer side segment of the lock hook are disposed on opposite sides of the hole in the lock hook.
8 . The gate latch method of claim 7 , wherein the second longitudinal segment, the first traverse segment, and the first longitudinal segment form a zigzagging shape that snakes through the lock hook.
9 . The gate latch method of claim 7 , wherein the external wall of the second longitudinal segment is substantially flat.