James "Scott" Groenier, Project Leader

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and other land-management agencies need a gate latch that meets Federal accessibility requirements. Such a latch would allow persons with disabilities to open and close a gate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act/Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADA/ABAAG) require that controls to operate devices such as a gate latch must:

• Be operable with one hand
  
  
• Require no more than 5 pounds of force
  
  
• Not require the user to pinch or grasp the controls or twist the wrist

The USDA Office of General Counsel has determined that when the Forest Service installs a gate, berm, or other type of barrier on a road or trail to restrict motor vehicle traffic and when foot travel is encouraged beyond the restriction device, a passage that is at least 32 inches wide must be available around that closure.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states that no person can be "excluded from participation" in a Federal agency opportunity that is open to all other people, solely because that person has a disability. Under these regulations a wheelchair that meets the legal definition of a wheelchair or mobility device can be used anywhere foot travel is allowed.

Development of the Accessible Ring Latch

A market search for accessible gate latches found just one latch that came close to meeting the requirements. The EquiCatch Latch, manufactured in the United Kingdom by Syspal Ltd. for Snug Cottage Hardware, can be operated with one hand, but requires more than 5 pounds of force to operate. The Ring Latch (figure 1), manufactured by Hamilton Hinge Co. of Corvallis, MT (406-961-4086), required less than 5 pounds of force, but required two hands for operation.

Figure 1—The original ring latch
manufactured by the Hamilton Hinge Co.

MTDC contacted Loyd Beaver, the owner of Hamilton Hinge Co., to discuss modifying the existing latch to make it accessible. At the time, Beaver did not have a latch design that would meet the requirements for accessibility. He agreed to work with MTDC to see if one could be developed. A collaborative effort produced the Accessible Ring Latch (figure 2) design.

Figure 2-An Accessible Ring Latch
with a guard ring (red) on one side.

The parts of the latch illustrated here have been painted different colors to help show how the latch works. The rings that keep the gate closed are black. The guard ring that discourages horses from opening the gate is red. The lever that lifts the rings so the gate will open is green. The gate pin is yellow.

This new ring latch meets the ADA/ABAAG Accessibility Guidelines requirements. It can be opened with less than 5 pounds of force and the gate can be pushed open with a closed hand or an elbow, without twisting the wrist or pinching or grasping the rings or the gate.

The latch must be mounted between 15 and 48 inches above the ground and the reach must not be obstructed.

The latch still has minor problems. A second guard ring (gray) can be built into the design to further discourage horses (figure 3) from playing with the mechanism. The guard rings are stock resistant, but not stock proof. Clever horses with lots of time may open the latch eventually. Another common problem for all gates is normal wear and tear that causes the gates to fall out of alignment. Periodic gate maintenance is needed to keep the gate working properly.

Figure 3—An Accessible Ring Latch
with guard rings (gray and red)
on both sides of the lever to make it
difficult for horses to open the latch.

Operating the Accessible Ring Latch

The Accessible Ring Latch is easy to use. One caution: Do not push on the gate before pressing down on the lever or the ring will bind.

1. Press down on the lever with your hand or elbow (figure 4).

   
   Figure 4—One hand presses down on the
   lever (green) of the accessible latch.

2. Continue to press down until the ring on the far side lifts to its highest position (figure 5).

   
   Figure 5—When the lever (green) is pressed
   down, one ring (black) is lifted out of the way.

3. Rotate your arm or hand to put slight pressure on the gate (figure 6).

   
   Figure 6-Pressure is applied to the gate and lever
   (green) at the same time, opening the gate.

4. Release the lever (figure 7).

   
   Figure 7—When the lever (green) is released,
   the gate begins to open.

5. The gate is open (figure 8).

Figure 8—The gate is opening to allow passage.

Another Gate Latch

The EquiCatch Latch (figure 9), manufactured in the United Kingdom, was "designed to fulfill the needs of the DDA," the United Kingdom's Disability Discrimination Act (1995). The requirements of that act differ from the accessibility requirements in the United States.

Figure 9—The EquiCatch manufactured for Snug Cottage Hardware
came close to meeting the Federal accessibility requirements.

Opening the latch required more than the 5 pounds of force allowed by Federal accessibility requirements, even when the latch was lifted from the center. When the latch was lifted from one edge with a closed fist, it required even more force to open.

More information about the EquiCatch can be found at http://www.snugcottageimports.com.

Summary

The Accessible Ring Latch can be opened with one closed hand, with less than 5 pounds of force, and without twisting the wrist or pinching or grasping the controls. The new latch will help provide access to public lands for all people.

The Accessible Ring Latch may be purchased from:

Hamilton Hinge Co.
486 Hamilton Heights Rd.
Corvallis, MT 59828
Phone: 406-961-4086

About the Author

James "Scott" Groenier, professional engineer, began working for MTDC as a project leader in 2003. Scott earned a bachelor's degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a master's degree in civil engineering from Montana State University. He worked for the Wisconsin and Illinois State Departments of Transportation and with an engineering consulting firm before joining the Forest Service in 1992. He worked as the east zone structural engineer for the Eastern Region and as a civil engineer for the Ashley and Tongass National Forests before coming to MTDC.

For additional information about accessible gates and latches, contact Scott Groenier at MTDC.

Phone: 406-329-4719
Fax: 406-329-3719
E-mail: jgroenier@fs.fed.us