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A kissing gate is a
A kissing gate is a gate
A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word is derived from Proto-Germanic language, Proto-Germanic ''*gatan'', meaning an opening or passageway. Synonyms include yett (which comes from the same root w ...
that allows people, but not livestock
Livestock are the Domestication, domesticated animals that are raised in an Agriculture, agricultural setting to provide labour and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, Egg as food, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The t ...
, to pass through.
The normal construction is a half-round, rectangular, trapezoidal or V-shaped part-enclosure with the free end of a hinged gate trapped between its arms. When the gate is touching an arm it must be pulled or pushed to pass through. The gate may need to be pushed to give access to the small enclosure, and when in the enclosure the person pulls the gate past the bulk of the enclosure to exit. Some examples have latches. Most are installed self-closing, to the side away from the pasture (livestock field), by hinge geometry, a spring or weight.
The gate may be made large enough to fit wheelchair
A wheelchair is a mobilized form of chair using two or more wheels, a footrest, and an armrest usually cushioned. It is used when walking is difficult or impossible to do due to illnesses, injury, disabilities, or age-related health conditio ...
s and the like. Alternatively, to allow pushchairs, wheelchairs, bicycles
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
...
, and other things too large to pass through, a conventional gate with a less consistent swing-back or default animal-proof mechanism may be nearby, or an additional latch may allow it to open more fully.
The name dates back to at least 1875. It reliably forms a barrier rather than needing to be securely latched on each use. Examples, as with stile
A stile is a structure or opening that provides passage for humansrather than animals such as livestockover or through a boundary. Common forms include steps, ladders, or narrow gaps. Stiles are often built in rural areas along footpaths, fen ...
s, on footpaths published as accessible are those replaced, improved or supplemented by gates.
Criticism
Kissing gates have been criticized for the often being built too narrow to account for the needs of cyclists, parents usingstrollers
Various methods of transporting children have been used in different cultures and times. These methods include baby carriages (prams in British English), Child safety seat, infant car seats, portable bassinets (carrycots), strollers (pushchairs), ...
, and wheelchair users, particularly in urban areas which have minimal requirements for animal control.
See also
* Bump gate * Rambler gate *Stile
A stile is a structure or opening that provides passage for humansrather than animals such as livestockover or through a boundary. Common forms include steps, ladders, or narrow gaps. Stiles are often built in rural areas along footpaths, fen ...
Further reading
* Kissing gates are included inBritish Standard
British Standards (BS) are the standards produced by the BSI Group which is incorporated under a royal charter and which is formally designated as the national standards body (NSB) for the UK. The BSI Group produces British Standards under th ...
BS5709:2018.British Standard
British Standards (BS) are the standards produced by the BSI Group which is incorporated under a royal charter and which is formally designated as the national standards body (NSB) for the UK. The BSI Group produces British Standards under th ...
BS5709:2018: ''Gaps, Gates & Stiles'' This extends to their recommended design, signs and maintenance. The standard is functional rather than prescriptive.
References
External links
* * {{wiktionary-inline Types of gates