Abstract: A child-resistant latch release mechanism which requires operation of two control members which are separated by a distance greater than that which can be effectively spanned by a preschool child. The two control members must be operated first in a certain sequence and then simultaneously in order to permit operation of the latch release mechanism. Conventional self-latching upon closure is retained by the invention latch release mechanism.

Abstract: A rivetless door latch having a housing with a latch bolt having a pair of side plates and pivot pins seated in pivot sockets in the top of the housing and a lever with a dog leg having pivot pins seated in the pivot sockets in the base of the housing. The side plates of the latch bolt have a camming recess adapted to be engaged by camming projections on the dog leg of the lever. A leaf spring is anchored in the base of the housing and urges against the dog leg in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a sash type window comprising two adjacent sashes arranged to slide one behind the other in a generally horizontal direction within an enclosing frame is disclosed. When the window is in its closed position, actuation of the locking mechanism causes the sashes to slide relative to one another in a direction away from each other to assure better sealing between the sashes and the enclosing window frame. In a preferred embodiment, the two sashes are also drawn towards each other in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction in order to obtain better sealing between the sashes themselves. The locking mechanism may also be used on sliding doors.

Abstract: A movable door actuating member is mechanically connected to a door latching control through a flexible sealing membrane in the door panel. The door actuating member is movably mounted to the door panel and includes a camming surface which deflects the membrane which in turn engages a cam follower of the latching mechanism for actuating the door latch for opening the door.

Abstract: A locking mechanism locks a door or panel over an opening to deter breach of the locking mechanism and prohibit unauthorized access. The locking mechanism includes an escutcheon plate which is non-removably secured to the door. This escutcheon plate has a front side and a back side, the front side facing outwardly away from the door and the back side being inserted through a mounting aperture in the door. A latch is operatively attached to the escutcheon plate. The latch is operated by a handle which is movably attached to the escutcheon plate on the outside of the door and which handle is formed with a blocking portion which extends to cover a specific area of the escutcheon plate. A catch member is mounted on the inside of the escutcheon plate and has an operating member which projects through the escutcheon plate to the outside of the escutcheon plate for engaging and disengaging the catch with the latch.

Abstract: A cam handle lock having a cam handle rotatably associated with an mounting base. The base has a central opening to receive a stem of the cam handle. A thin metal washer is fixed to an end of the stem and structurally arranged to coact with the base whereby the washer is flexed to spring load the cam handle and base into firm engagement with each other.

Abstract: A toggle latch is shown which retains a structure, such as an aircraft door, latched against a second structure, such as the fuselage. The latch includes a housing having a latch actuator joined to the housing a first pivot point and a latch member joined to the housing at a second pivot point. A linkage joins the latch actuator and latch member at third and fourth pivot points. In the latched position, the fourth pivot point is positioned past a center line between the first and third pivot points to create the over-center, toggle effect of the latch. A safety catch is pivoted within the latch actuator which extends into a passage in the actuator. The safety catch also engages the housing when the toggle latch is in its latched position to lock the latch closed. Insertion of a tool into the passage engages the safety catch to remove it from its locking contact with the housing and free the latch actuator for opening the latch.

Abstract: A latch having a base and a latch plate pivoted thereto, the base being adapted for installation on a closure frame and the latch plate being adapted to overlie the closure. The latch plate is pivotally mounted on the base to swing between an unlatched position in which the closure can be opened, and a latched position in which the closure cannot be opened because the latch plate overlies it. A handle pivotally mounted on the base swings the latch plate between the open and closed positions. At least one of the base and latch plate are made of an elastically deformable material. The latch plate is moved to the latching position by the camming action of the handle; and when the latch plate has moved only part way toward the fully latched position, abutment surfaces on the base and latch plate come into contact with each other.

Abstract: An improvement in a door lock of the type having a rotatably mounted cam which has a detent which serves to displace a latching member and to engage the downstream abutment member of a pair of abutment members which are arranged upstream and downstream of the locking member with respect to the direction of rotation of the actuator cam. The abutment members are mounted on a lever arm which is connected to a locking bolt such that rotation of the actuator cam in one direction or the other will cause the detent to displace the locking member and thereafter engage the downstream abutment member to effect movement of the lever arm which in turn effects movement of the locking bolt between an open position and a closed position and to move the downstream abutment member clear of the path of the detent so as to permit the detent to gain access to the locking member when the direction of rotation of the actuator cam is reversed.

Abstract: A toy trap door mechanism is disclosed which includes a trap door pivotably mounted within and flush to a panel which simulates the floor of a castle. A chair in the shape of a throne is rotatably mounted to the floor in the vicinity of the trap door. An actuating lever is pivotably mounted to the underside of the floor and is operatively coupled to both the chair and the trap door. When the chair is rotated from a first position facing an observer to a second position facing the trap door, the lever unlatches the trap door which swings open. Holding the trap door in the closed position and rotating the chair to the first position resets the mechanism.

Abstract: A toggle latch having three linkage means, the first and third linkage means being pivotally connected to a frame and the second linkage means being pivotally connected between the first and third linkage means. The first linkage means having a pivot slidably restrained within a frame aperture for moving between a first position when the toggle latch assembly is secured and a second position where the toggle latch assembly is opened. In one embodiment, a forth linkage means is positioned between the frame and the slidable pivot of the first linkage means in order to decrease the frictional loading on the slidable pivot.

Abstract: A lock mechanism particularly for doors having a narrow stile, wherein a unique arrangement of components provides greater security and facilitates manufacture and installation, as characterized by a heavy pivotally swingable main bolt connected at its inner end to one end of a rocker actuating lever, the end of the lever being provided with a unique escapement for the release and control of the movement of the rocker arm by an associated manually rotatable key-actuated cam extension, to move the main bolt between locked and unlocked positions. An important feature of the escapement resides in a unique arrangement of parts which is not critical as to the dimensions of the actuating cam extension, and which readily accommodate to actuating cams that may vary materially in their dimensions. The escapement also enables a better and more symmetrical resolution of the operating forces and the obtainment of maximum security.

Abstract: A safety lock comprises a lock housing, a pivotal bolt, bolt control means located in the housing to rotate the bolt from a locking to an unlocking position, key actuated means to operate the bolt control means and handle means adapted to operate the bolt control means in a manner such that the pivotal bolt rotates approximately 90.degree. from a locking position to an unlocking position by turning the handle means which is restricted to a turning movement of less than 180.degree.. The pivotal bolt extends outwardly from the housing when it is in a locking position. The key actuated means operates independently of the handle means and preferably rotates through an angle of at least 360.degree..

Abstract: A cabinet for a fire extinguisher including first and second sidewalls connected to a bottom wall and a top wall with a door-hingedly connected, to a sidewall. A conventional tumbler lock is mounted on the door with a latch on the inner end engageable with a catch mounted on the inside of the cabinet. A small closure plate is hingedly mounted at an opening formed in the door adjacent the lock. The closure plate is releasably held closed by a strip of adhesive so that when the closure plate is pushed inwardly of the opening, the edge of the closure plate progressively contacts the latch and disengages the same from the catch thereby allowing the door to be opened.