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User-Friendly Gate Latch Offers Easier Access
A new gate latch that was designed for people with disabilities will be appreciated by anyone who frequently goes in and out of gates.
Scott Groenier of the Missoula Technology and Development Center in Montana, and Loyd Beaver from Hamilton Hinge Company in Corvallis, Montana, say their "Accessible Ring Latch"
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User-Friendly Gate Latch Offers Easier Access FENCING Gates 31-1-27 A new gate latch that was designed for people with disabilities will be appreciated by anyone who frequently goes in and out of gates.
Scott Groenier of the Missoula Technology and Development Center in Montana, and Loyd Beaver from Hamilton Hinge Company in Corvallis, Montana, say their "Accessible Ring Latch" will also be particularly useful to recreationists, including anyone mounted on horseback.
Groenier's position with the federal government meant he was called upon to try and develop a mechanism to meet accessibility requirements on public lands.
The resulting latch can be opened or closed with one fist or even an elbow, needs less than 5 lbs. of force to work, and doesn't require the operator to twist the wrist or pinch or grasp the controls.
A key feature of the latch is its metal "guard rings," which discourage horses from playing with the device. It's stock-resistant, but not completely stock-proof. The latch must be mounted between 15 and 48 in. above the ground and the reach cannot be obstructed.
This mechanism is a modified version of one that Hamilton Hinge Company was already manufacturing. It now allows one-hand operation.
There are two different models of the modified latch. One of them has one set of ring guards to prevent injury from the sharper-edged lever. The other has two sets of guard rings, so a horse's nose can't get through and open the gate. Both latches have a hole above the ring that allows a pin or lock to be inserted that will make the latch stock-proof.
Horseback riders with pointed cowboy boots can fit their toe between the rings and push down to open the gate. The stirrup and latch are approximately the same height. To close the gate latch, you can just kick the gate shut and it's self-latching.
The special latches sell wholesale for $55 and $65, respectively. The company's standard Ring Latch, which is not quite as accessible to those with disabilities, retail for $25, and a load-bearing version of it is $34.
Useful for all types of fencing
Photos and a video of latch operation can be viewed at Missoula Technology and Development Center's website.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Hamilton Hinge Company, 486 Hamilton Heights Rd., Corvallis, Montana 59828 (ph 406 961-4086; www.fs.fed.us/eng/t-d.php).
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