Self retracting piston and collar for sliding bolt keeper

摘要

The present invention consists of a pipe 1, open at one end and closed at the other, which is intended to mount into the ground to function as a keeper to receive a sliding bolt mounted on a closure such as a gate. Within the pipe 1 there is a self retracting piston that consists of a piston head 3 and a coil compression spring 4. A domed collar 2 is attached to the open end of the pipe 1 and a perforation 5 is formed at the closed end to allow water to escape. The device operates to prevent debris from clogging up the pipe. The lowered bolt displaces the piston head 3 against the spring 4 and the spring acts on the piston head 3 to push debris out of the pipe when the bolt is raised. The piston head 3 is domed and wedge shaped so as to crush sand and other materials that may wedge themselves between the piston head 3 and the inside of the pipe 1.