Latch apparatus with independent identical opposing latches
The present latch apparatus includes a swinging piece having first and second independent latches or sliders sliding in first and second slots. The first and second sliders slide independently of each other. The first and second sliders engage an undersurface of an extension of a first object such as a gate. If either the first or second slider is engaged on the undersurface, the swinging piece is locked and is not swingable such that the first object such as the gate cannot itself swing away from a second object such as a barrier section. Only when each of the first and second sliders has been slid beyond the undersurface can the swinging piece swing to permit the first object such as the gate to be released and thus swingable itself relative to the second object such as the barrier section.
1 . A piece comprising:
a) a U-shaped body having a top plate section and first and second side plate sections;
b) wherein the top plate section is rectangular in shape and defines a plane;
c) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections extends vertically and downwardly from outer edges of the top plate section;
d) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections includes an apertured proximal end that engages a pivot pin;
e) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections includes a slot, each of the slots being elongate;
f) wherein each of the slots is oblique relative to the top plate section;
g) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections includes an undulating lower edge portion;
h) wherein each of the slots is defined by a lower straight edge and an upper straight edge;
i) wherein the lower straight edge runs parallel to the upper straight edge;
j) wherein each of the lower straight edge and upper straight edge is oblique relative to the top plate section;
k) wherein the slot of the first side plate section is aligned with the slot of the second side plate section such that the lower straight edge of the first side plate section is coplanar with the lower straight edge of the second side plate section and such that the upper straight edge of the first side plate section is coplanar with the upper straight edge of the second side plate section; and
l) wherein one of the slots engages a slider, the slider sliding in said slot under the influence of gravity exclusively.
2 . A piece comprising:
a) a U-shaped body having a top plate section and first and second side plate sections;
b) wherein the top plate section is rectangular in shape and defines a plane;
c) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections extends vertically and downwardly from outer edges of the top plate section;
d) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections includes an apertured proximal end that engages a pivot pin;
e) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections includes a slot, each of the slots being elongate;
f) wherein each of the slots is oblique relative to the top plate section;
g) wherein each of the first and second side plate sections includes a lower edge portion;
h) wherein each of the slots is defined by a lower straight edge and an upper straight edge;
i) wherein the lower straight edge runs parallel to the upper straight edge;
j) wherein each of the lower straight edge and upper straight edge is oblique relative to the top plate section;
k) wherein the slot of the first side plate section is aligned with the slot of the second side plate section such that the lower straight edge of the first side plate section is coplanar with the lower straight edge of the second side plate section and such that the upper straight edge of the first side plate section is coplanar with the upper straight edge of the second side plate section; and
l) wherein one of the slots engages a slider, the slider sliding in said slot under the influence of gravity exclusively.
3 . The piece of claim 1 , where the slider slides in said slot under the influence of gravity exclusively, without assistance from an external force configured to urge the slider to move in said slot.
4 . The piece of claim 2 , where the slider slides in said slot under the influence of gravity exclusively, without assistance from an external force configured to urge the slider to move in said slot.