SELF-CLOSING GATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1387, 29 June 1878, Page 3

SELF-CLOSING GATE.

The following description of a device for shutting gates ia given in the American Agriculturißt, and will be found more

valuable than many of the patented appliances for the same purpose. The gate may be of any kind that is hung upon hinges. The device may be applied to single or double gates, and to light or heavy ones, by simply changing the weight of the shutting-bar. The shutting-bar (b) is 5 to 8 feet long, one inch thick, and should be made in the form shown in the engraving, so that the weight will be mostly at the further end from the gate. The bar ia fastened to the gate by a half-hinge (a), which should project from the gate two to four inches ; the heavier the gate, the farther the hinge Bhould project from it, so as to make the weight of the bar more effective when the gate is nearly closed. To the lower end there is screwed an iron bolt, in which ia a slot two inchea long, which gives room for play upon the half-hinge. The bar is fastened to the gate-post by a chain or rope (c), which may be lengthened or shortened at pleasure. A guiding bar (c) is fixed to the fence so as to have playroom of two to three inches, in which the shutting-bar may work up and down freely. The mode of operation is as follows : When the gate is opened, the hinge, which is several inches from the heel-post of the gate, pushes the shuttingbar backwards. As it is held by the cord or chain, it cannot go backwards, but is forced to rise in the space between the guide bar and the fence. The height to which it rises is regulated by the length of the cord or chain. When the gate is released, the weight of the shutting-bar operates at once, and as it is held by the cord, it must push upon the gate so as to close it. A self-operating latch (d) should be used, so as to fasten the gate when it is closed. This device can bo used for doors as well as gates, ani will be most useful for those people who are afflicted by visitors who have that very common but very annoying habit of leaving gates

and doors open as they pass through them.