Self-latching magnetic latching device

Abstract

A magnetic self-latching device for a gate has a main body with handles on either side for operation or has an arrangement to be remotely actuated, for example electrically. A latching body has a high strength magnet usually provided at the bottom of a cavity which defines a latching shoulder. The latching body is adapted to be fixed to a gate post. The main body, with its housing, can be mounted on the gate frame and incorporates a latch pin which, in the door-closed position, is displaced by magnetic attraction to an extended latching position and against the biasing of a return spring. The gate cannot be opened until actuation of the mechanism occurs, for example by rotating a handle to retract the pin against the magnetic force; the gate can then be swung open. When the handle is released, the biasing spring retains the latch pin in a retracted position. A lost motion arrangement is provided so that there is substantially no load on the pin when the handles are released and the pin is supported in the retracted position by the return spring. A carriage and an associated actuator or a flexible/semi flexible line connection is provided in the housing for incorporating the lost motion arrangement.