Abstract: A lock system for a container with a movable closure or lid. The lock system includes a pivotally mounted latch member, a corresponding rigid latch member which interlocks with the pivoting latch member when the closure is closed, and a push-button lock mechanism having a shoulder portion which engages and displaces the pivoting latch member, thereby permitting the closure to be opened, when the lock mechanism is in its "unlocked" position and the push-button is depressed. The pivoting latch member includes a pair of plates slideably coupled to one another, one pivotally mounted in the container and the other supporting a cross-member which engages the rigid latch member. The pivoting latch member has a slot through which the shoulder portion of the lock mechanism passes (without engaging or displacing the latch member) when the lock mechanism is "locked".

Abstract: A dogging mechanism for a bulkhead door on a ship, which uses a rotatable handle connected to a four bar parallel linkage to pivot a plurality of rollers over a plurality of wedge shaped lugs to tightly close the door and make it water tight when used with a double directional gasket.

Abstract: A latch assembly for overhead bifold doors. The latch assembly is operated by the same manual or powered winch mechanism that is used to open and close the overhead bifold door. A latch assembly may be mounted to one or both ends of the overhead bifold door, and includes a latch arm that is moved to a latching position at the end of the door closing cycle. A latch member is fixedly positioned to the door jamb adjacent the latch assembly, and when the latch arm is drawn down, the latch member is located between it and the overhead bifold door, causing the overhead bifold door to be securely latched in its closed position until the winch mechanism is activated to begin the overhead bifold door opening cycle.

Abstract: A sliding door rotary latch system includes a handle assembly mounted on the sliding door adjacent its leading edge, a rotary latch assembly and locking mechanism mounted on the front post of the door frame cooperating with a strike bar on the handle assembly selectively to latch the sliding door in its fully closed position and a rear latch plate mounted on the back post of the door frame cooperating with the handle assembly selectively to latch the sliding door in its fully open position. The door mounted handle assembly includes an outer pivotal handle, an inner pivotal handle, and an inner actuation mechanism operative to allow either handle independently of the other to actuate either a pivotal front cam actuator arm or a rear pivotal latch independent of the other. Either handle may be held in its pivoted position toward the direction of sliding movement of the door during that sliding movement without adversely effecting the latching action when the door is either fully closed or opened.

Abstract: A canopy locking system includes a series of locking hooks and bolts interconnected with a common torque tube 30 which is turned to lock or unlock the canopy. The shaft may be turned in routine operation by a motor 36 or, in emergency operation by firing a pair of jacks 37.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system includes, interior and exterior handle assembies that are accessible, respectively, from interior and exterior sides of a vehicle door on which the door lock system is mounted. The door lock system includes a rotary latch that is configured to releasably engage a door-frame-mounted striker to "latch" and "unlatch" the door. The door is "locked" and "unlocked" by selectively enabling and disabling driving connections between the handle assemblies and separate release arms of the rotary latch. More specifically, locking and unlocking of the door are effected either by operating an exterior key cylinder, or by operating an interior sill button.

Abstract: A stored energy system for opening aircraft doors, especially useful in connection with emergency slide compartment doors. The system includes a mechanical energy door opening mechanism and a mechanical energy door latch mechanism leaving a latch actuator. Both the latch actuator and the door opening mechanism each have resident stored mechanical energy means wound by rotating an input shaft. Discharge of the energy is prevented by restraining a reverse rotation of the input device, thus enabling the mechanical energy means to be wound in only one direction. When the aircraft door is to be opened, the latch actuator delatches the door and subsequently the door opening mechanism employs a pivotably mounted arm to open the door.

Abstract: An adjustable, quick acting balanced beam latching apparatus for a fluid tight door, hatch or scuttle mounted in an aperture in a bulkhead, wall or deck onboard ships, aircraft and other liquid or gas tight structures. A box frame is secured in an aperture in the bulkhead, and a fluid tight door is pivotally secured to one side of the box frame by suitable door hinges. A plurality of rotating dogs are pivotally secured to retract within the box frame in the retracted position, and to extend through apertures in the box frame when in the extended position. A plurality of balanced beam linkage members are rotatably secured to the rotating dogs. A plurality of connecting rods are rotatably secured to the balanced beam linkage members, and to each other. An operating link is pivotally secured at one end to a central connecting rod, and pivotally secured at the opposite end to an operating crank arm which is secured through an aperture in the door frame.

Abstract: An improved structure is provided for a window sash lock having a catch mounted to a face of a window frame to grasp and release a keeper reciprocally mounted to a face of a window sash. A housing (12) is mounted against the frame face (13) that has an opening therethrough with a portion substantially cylindrical about an axis perpendicular to the frame face (13). An operator (52) for the catch (32) comprises a cylindrical pivotal portion (56) which is receivable within the housing cylindrical portion and is adapted to pivot about the axis. The operator also includes a handle portion (54) secured at one end to the operator pivotal portion (56). The operator further comprises an actuator portion having a button (60) at one end for engaging the catch to control movement thereof. The actuator portion is secured at the other end to the operator pivotal portion. A part of the actuator portion is trapped between the housing and the frame face to prevent removal of the operator from the mounted housing.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system includes a rotary latch having an elongate housing with an end formation that is "inclined" or "tapered" so as to be wedgingly engaged, when "latched," by a correspondingly inclined or tapered wedge block component of an L-shaped striker assembly. As the rotary latch releasably engages the striker to effect "latching," the inclined or tapered end region of the latch housing cooperatively engages the wedge block of the striker to guide the latch into properly aligned engagement with the striker, and to maintain proper alignment of the rotary latch with the striker while "latched." By this arrangement, a strong, racking-resistant type of latched connection is provided that will assist in preventing undesired relative movements of a door and a door frame on which the latch and striker are mounted, respectively. Handle assemblies are connected to the rotary latch to operate the latch to effect "unlatching" of the latch and the striker.

Abstract: A lock device of a door for a cargo room of a wagon type vehicle includes a main lock member disposed at the upper edge of a lower door and having a latch and a ratchet for preventing the reverse rotation of the latch; a main striker disposed at the lower edge of the upper door and engaging with the main lock member; side lock members disposed on both right and left sides of the lower side door; two side strikers engaging with the side lock members; a key operation member disposed on the outer surface of the lower door and releasing the engagement between the main lock member and the main striker; and a door opening handle disposed on the outer surface of the lower door and releasing the engagement between the side lock members and the side strikers.

Abstract: A closure, particularly, a telephone closure base with two closure members and a movable shear locking member. In a closed condition of the closure, aligned apertures of the two closure members may receive the locking member to hold the assembly closed. A part of one of the closure members having the aperture is flexible and tensile and has a flexure position such that, when an opening force is applied to the assembly with the locking member extending through the apertures, the flexible part is flexed under tension and is urged against an opposing surface of the other closure member formed with the corresponding aperture. This flexing action places the locking member mainly in shear while minimizing any bending forces upon the locking member.

Abstract: A security lock mechanism for locking first and second structures to one another to define a controlled space on one side of the structures and for requiring the simultaneous efforts of two persons to unlock the mechanism from locations outside the controlled space.

Abstract: An improvement of locking mechanisms having four latching bolts of the type that include a partially teethed disk mounted to a case and being cooperatively meshed with a geared cylinder that actuates it. The improvement comprises a step of bending of the linkage member that, through a rod, transmits the axial movement to the latching bolts. The axial movement is forced on the rod members by making coupling outer pins connected to the rod members to travel along radially disposed slots on the cover of the locking mechanism. The step in the linkage members allows linkage members to converge over the opposite ends of adjacent linkage members when the disk is rotated to the position that causes the former to be in the innermost position. This combination of elements allows the most volumetric efficient utilization of the space available by maximizing the axial travel of outer guiding pin member and, consequently, the latching bolts driven by it.

Abstract: A compact vehicle hood latch and pop-up device can be pressembled as a unit and mounted to a vehicle and cooperate with a single striker on the hood to effect latching, pop-up and unlatching of the hood. It includes a pivotal primary latch, a detent lever cooperable with the primary latch, a pop-up lever extending across the path of the striker to effect movement of the latter to a pop-up position when the primary latch is released and a secondary latch to release the striker from its pop-up position.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system includes interior and exterior handle assemblies that are accessible, respectively, from interior and exterior sides of a vehicle door on which the door lock system is mounted. The system includes a plurality of rotary latches that are configured to releasably engage door-frame-mounted strikers to "latch" and "unlatch" the door, and a latch interconnection linkage for effecting concurrent unlatching of the rotary latches. The door is "locked" and "unlocked" by selectively enabling and disabling at least one driving connection between at least one of the handle assemblies and separate latch release arms that are arranged to operate a selected one of the rotary latches. In preferred practice, locking and unlocking of the door are effected either by operating an exterior key cylinder, or by operating an interior sill button.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock system includes a rotary latch having an elongate housing with opposed ends that are tapered so as to be securely received, when "latched," within an elongate U-shaped striker assembly that has a pair of spaced, inwardly facing wedge blocks at opposed ends. As the rotary latch releasably engages the striker to effect "latching," the tapered end regions of the latch housing are wedgingly engaged by the wedge blocks of the striker to guide the latch into properly aligned engagement with the striker, and to maintain proper alignment of the rotary latch with the striker while "latched." By this arrangement, a strong, racking-resistant type of latched connection is provided that will assist in preventing undesired relative movements of a door and a door frame on which the latch and striker are mounted, respectively. Handle assemblies are connected to the rotary latch to operate the latch to effect "unlatching" of the latch and the striker.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for spent nuclear fuel shipping container has a lid member with a peripheral groove in its outer edge, the lid member being adapted to rests upon a shoulder within a bore at the mouth of the cask. The lid is forced into sealing engagement with the shoulder by a plurality of radially disposed wedges extending from the inner wall of the cask into the peripheral groove. The wedges are moved by bolts extending through the wall of the cask and cam the lid down against the shoulder as they are forced into the groove.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism mounts on a door for selectively engaging a door strike. A latch bolt moves along a line of action to disengage the strike and allow the door to be opened. A dead lock prevents unwanted opening of the door and includes a blocking element to prevent movement of the latch bolt along its line of action. A release enables the latch bolt to move along its line of action and includes a bell crank for displacing the blocking element whereby the latch bolt can disengage the strike.

Abstract: A window lock assembly is provided for facilitated locking of a pane-carrying frame or sash in a closed position with respect to a window casement. The lock assembly comprises a handle unit in a recessed, substantially flush-mounted position on the casement and including a movable operator handle connected by a concealed rack or the like to at least one locking cam unit mounted on the casement at a remote position relative to the operator handle. The operator handle is accessible for manual movement to displace a locking cam of the cam unit into releasable locking engagement with a keeper mounted on the sash.

Abstract: Door lock and lock assemblies are useful, for example, in vehicle cabs. Latch and lock assemblies of known structures which can be unlocked from inside the cab while remaining locked from outside the cab require complex and bulky linkage assemblies. The subject door latch and lock assembly includes pivotal outer and inner actuator. The pivotal movement of the outer actuator simultaneously pivots the inner actuator to open a catch mechanism. Pivot movement of the inner actuator can be independent of the outer actuator. A locking lever can be pivoted to a locked position to prevent pivotal movement of the outer actuator. Pivotal movement of the inner actuator is not prevented by the locking lever. Thus, the disclosed door latch and lock assembly can be opened from inside the cab while remaining locked from outside the cab without requiring complex and bulky linkage assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a rotatable trailer door is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid actuated cylinder having a free end and a fixed end with the fixed end being rotatably connected to the trailer; a control member, rotatably connected to the trailer, locks the door in its closed position; a control link, having a first end rotatably connected to the control member and a second end rotatably connected to the fluid actuated cylinder free end; and, an adjustable link, having a fixed end rotatably connected to the trailer and a free end rotatably connected to both the free end of the fluid actuated cylinder and the second end of the control link.

Abstract: A single lever is pivotable about two axes and pivoting can be carried out in a prescribed sequence such that first the latches are unloaded and thereafter released, in the reverse, the latches are first latched and thereafter proper latching is monitoring and the latches are locked. The structure includes two shafts that are operated by the lever and they carry respectively latch hooks and cams for latching and scanning these hooks.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shielding cabinet is provided with a unique latch which does not require shielding. The latch includes a rotatable handle connected to a rotatable cam by a link. The rotatable cam includes a slot which engages a roller stud on a door to open and close the door. Conductive gaskets are provided on the cabinet walls and are engaged by wedges on the door, the rotation of the cam assisting in urging the wedge into or out of the space between flexible finger stock pieces. Because the latch is provided in a small recess in the side wall of the cabinet, no significant interior space of the cabinet is utilized.

Abstract: A clamping type cabinet lock that is mounted on a cabinet door includes a link-and-lever type of operating assembly which moves a vertical bar. End regions of the vertical bar are connected to pivotally mounted latch members. The latch members have latch formations that enter between and move behind keeper formations that define channels in which the latch formations are moveable. As the latch formations are moved in the keeper channels, the door is caused to be clamped toward a closed position.

Abstract: A rotary latch has a U-shaped housing that is formed as a metal stamping having a base wall that connects spaced, parallel-extending side walls. A pair of opposed jaw members are housed between the side walls, are mounted for rotation betwen latched and unlatched positions, and are arranged to embrace and latchingly retain a striker as the striker is moved into a pair of aligned notches that are defined by the side walls. A "primary" one of the jaws is biased toward its unlatched position by a housing-carried spring. A "secondary" one of the jaws is arranged to engage a resilient bumper that cushions the action of the latch as the jaws rotate to their latched positions. When the jaws are latched, the primary jaw can be rotated in opposition to the action of the spring to a release position to initiate unlatching of the latch.

Abstract: A multiple-bolt locking mechanism particularly for use with sliding doors having a narrow stile frame movable into closed engagement with a tubular thin walled jamb frame structure and which comprises a vertically spaced upper main locking unit on the door narrow stile frame having a hook-type bolt actuatable by a key mechanism between an unbolted position and a dead-locked bolted position, a lower slave lock unit on the door narrow stile frame having a hook-type bolt, and a upper slave header locking unit, having a longitudinally reciprocable bolt for bolting engagement with door frame header keepers respectively at a door fully closed position and a door partially open position. The hook-type bolts are each movable into hooked bolted relation with a relatively thin wall portion of the jamb wall surrounding a bolt receiving opening therein and which is peripherally reinforced by being sandwiched between an associated inner backup steel plate member and an outer trim steel plate member.

Abstract: A vehicle body structure which can provide a wider passenger compartment than conventional sedan-type vehicles. The vehicle has a substantially flat floor which provides extra space and a single integral door opening on each side. The door opening is closed by a front swinging door and a rear sliding door. The rear sliding door support mechanism is adapted to allow the floor to be positioned lower than in conventional van-type vehicles. The front swinging door has upper and lower door lock mechanisms for locking the front door when closed. The rear sliding door support mechanism includes upper and lower guide rails which are respectively adapted to reinforce a roof side rail and a side sill comprising part of a vehicle framework to provide sufficient resistance to bending stresses applied to the framework, thus allowing a center-pillarless body structure.

Abstract: A door lock arrangement for a vehicle in which there is no pillar against which the trailing edge of a forwardly hinged door may engage, includes locks provided at the top and bottom corners of the door and a centrally located mechanism for simultaneously operating said locks. This mechanism includes means for producing both of the so called "keyless locking" and "self cancellation" functions.

Abstract: Actuating mechanisms (39, 40, 44) for an aircraft door (34) mounted along its upper edge to the body (36) of an aircraft (25) for movement into and out of a door opening (35) in the fuselage (29). The hinge actuating mechanisms (39) include a drive unit (46) and linkage assembly (50, 51) secured to the body (36) with all actuating components (45, 46, 48-51) mounted on the door (34) and positioned so that all actuating components move outwardly and upwardly to points outboard of an above the opening (35) except for actuating links (51) which pass through the upper corners of opening (35), thus defining an esentially unobstructed clearance area for passage of cargo. The latch cam assembly (40) employs a single actuator (90) for pulling door (34) to a fully closed position and for latching/unlatching a plurality of bottom latches (99, 100) and a pair of mid-span latches (42, 109).

Abstract: An enclosed locking system for transportable commercial containers having swinging or roll-up access doors. A main feature of this locking system is that it renders the locked container virtually tamper-proof. Only the key access hole is externally accessible. This locking system may be added to existing containers or incorporated into new units. The system is fitted into the container horizontal frame member positioned at the lower edge of the access doors. The locking system comprises two main sub-assemblies, a cam lock housing and a removable lock assembly. The cam lock housing is bolted or welded to the container frame member, while the lock assembly is removable after a locking bolt therein is disengaged from a portion of the cam lock housing by key operation. When the lock assembly is so removed, it exposes a cam actuator lever which, when pivoted, disengages at least one cam lock from a cavity in the lower horizontal edge of the access doors, allowing entry.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock (201) and latch (204) assembly is provided whereby a key may be used to lock the door (200) and to prevent rotation of the outside door handle (214). An inside door handle (202) is provided remote from the lock assembly (201) and connected thereto by a linkage (216,232,246) which enables the inside handle (202) to operate the lock assembly (201) by overridng the key lock (308). The inside handle (202) can move the linkage to open the door (200) and lock or unlock the lock assembly (201). The outside handle (214) can open the door (200) only if the lock assembly (201) is unlocked. The lock assembly (201) may be unlocked from the outside only by turning the key in the lock (308) to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A dual latching mechanism is provided for latching two spaced locations of a flexible lid to a pair of similarly spaced anchors of a compartment to which the flexible lid is movably mounted. The latching mechanism has two latches mounted on the lid by housings each including a pawl pivotally mounted which is spring biased for movement, when released, to an anchor release position and a blocking dog which is spring biased to a pawl blocking position for locking the pawl to its respective anchor. The latches are interconnected by a latch control which includes two rigid links each link having its outer end connected pivotally to a blocking dog and each having its inner end connected by way of an actuator pin to a key operated lock cylinder which is mounted on the flexible lid. The rigid links are connected so as to maintain axial rigidity for operating the two latches concurrently while having the required flexibility necessary to operate two latches on a flexible lid.

Abstract: A latch particularly adapted to releasably secure an escape door has a rotating catch pivotally connected to a toggle joint link mechanism having an actuating arm and a stop means associated therewith. When the catch is in closed position, the link mechanism is located on the stop means side of its longitudinal axis and force in an opening direction on the catch is resisted by the stop means. The catch is released by pushing the actuating arm to thereby shift the link mechanism to the other side of its longitudinal axis where the link mechanism has sufficient movement to allow the catch to rotatably release.

Abstract: A lock and control assembly for a vehicle tailgate of the type having a pivotal upper window portion and a pivotal lower gate portion which are hinge mounted respectively along a top edge and a bottom edge so that the opposite edges of both meet when in the closed operative position. The assembly includes a pivotal fork bolt supported adjacent the top edge of the gate portion to engage and capture a striker member which is attached to the lower edge of the window when in the closed position. A pivotal detent lever selectively releases the fork bolt and is operatively attached to a first control lever which pivots in one direction to operate the detent lever and release the fork bolt. A second control lever pivots in the opposite direction to release latch mechanisms holding the gate portion in its closed position. A lock cylinder supported in the exterior panel of the gate is aligned with the operating levers and has means to selectively actuate the levers.

Abstract: A one-piece continuous resilient rod extends between spaced apart latch bolts and has its ends operatively connected to the latch bolts. The unrestrained free length of the rod exceeds the spaced relation between the latched positions of the latch bolts so that the rod is flexed and resiliently biases the latch bolts to their respective latched positions. A rotatably journalled handle engages the rod intermediate the latch bolts. Rotation of the handle flexes the rod, and shortens its effective length to withdraw the ends of the flexible rod toward each other and simultaneously move the latch bolts from their latched position to their unlatched position. An integral coil compression spring may be provided in the continuous rod.