The horizontal position you describe is correct, and the rebound of the gate is purely mechanical, facilitated by a thin connector that goes between the gate above the PF and the leaf switch below. When you push the gate down by hand, you should be able to see the connector physically rise above the gate. Below the PF, when the gate is pushed down then the connector pulls the leaf switch closed. Hope that's of some help. If not, if you can post pix of how your gate and leaf switch look above and below the PF, maybe I'll be able to see what the issue is.