Abstract: A door security apparatus for preventing undesired opening of a door includes a rockshaft journaled for pivotal movement at the bottom edge of the door and having at least one stop arm extending therefrom is disclosed. An operating device is connected to the rockshaft or to a stop arm for pivoting the rockshaft to move the stop arm into and out of door bracing engagement with the floor proximate the door.

Abstract: An improved safe is provided which offers the security of currently known more complex safes at substantially less cost. The safe preferably includes a cabinet having apertured door frame structure, with a door having inner, outer and sidewalls. Locking apparatus located within the door includes a series of selectively operable toggle mechanisms, each having a pair of pivotal links coupled to a locking bolt. The locking bolts are designed to extend through the aligned frame and door apertures to lock the door. The frame structure is formed of interconnected, seamless webs integral with the cabinet walls and presenting a recess to receive the door lip. Additional security is achieved by reinforcing the door lip with flange structure forming a part of the marginal door frame and by attaching the handle to the actuator for the toggle mechanisms so that excess force renders the handle inoperative.

Abstract: A draw pull latch for securing two members together comprises a keeper affixed to one of the members and a second one-piece part which is composed of three segments; i.e., a base segment, an intermediate segment, and a locking segment. The base segment is adapted for being affixed to the second one of the members and the intermediate segment is flexibly connected to the base segment and the locking segment for pivotal movement of the segments about transverse axes. When in the locked condition, the intermediate segment is disposed in substantially coplanar relation to the base segment, and the locking segment is disposed in overlying relation to the base segment and the intermediate segment and to the keeper. The locking segment is detachably connected to the keeper, and the flexible connection between the intermediate and locking segments is closer to the second member than the flexible connection between the intermediate and base segments.

Abstract: A self protecting toggle latch assembly in which the latch handle nests in a narrow slot cut a part way through the extruded side member of the container. The slot interrupts a hole of circular cross section which is extruded throughout the length of the side member to form a hole on each side of the slot. The handle is pivotally retained in the side member by projections thereon which engage the holes formed in the side walls of the slot.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for a motor vehicle door in which a lock housing with a rotary catch acting on a locking bolt on the side of the body, a spring-loaded locking latch, a knee lever arrangement engaging at the rotary catch and at the housing which is formed by two lever members connected in a dead-center joint, and an actuating mechanism is provided, whereby two end positions of the dead-center joint which are coordinated to the locking, respectively, the open position of the rotary catch, are determined by control abutments, and whereby a torque is to be introduced into the rotary catch by means of the actuating mechanism by way of the knee lever, by means of which the door is adapted to be transferred into the locked position against the force of an elastically deformed door seal. This lock arrangement is characterized in that the closing force is to be introduced manually into the actuating mechanism by a door handle at which a return device is effective.

Abstract: An over center toggle latch for holding a door closed against a surface of a receiving structure comprises a latch housing adapted to be mounted on the receiving structure, a toggle member pivotally mounted within the housing for pivotal movement between a latched and unlatched position, a keeper mounted on the door having a dog projection adapted to be received within the housing when the toggle member is in the unlatched position and retained therein when the toggle member is in the latched position, and a pair of guide members in sliding telescopic arrangement, outwardly urged apart by a spring, for retaining the toggle member in the latched or unlatched positions, and for holding the door closed by a predetermined amount of force.

Abstract: An adjustable over-center latching assembly (11) for securing aircraft panels (13A, 13B) is operated by a worm shaft (21) and segmental gear (25) in order to obtain the rotational directional change required to move a latching member (15) into and out of engagement with a keeper (17). A secondary locking feature is provided due to the irreversible nature of the gear and worm arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preloadable vector-sensitive latch which automatically releases when the force vector from a latch member reaches a specified release angle. In addition, it contains means to remove clearance between the latched members and to preload the latch to prevent separation at angles less than the specified release angle. The latch comprises a triangular main link (77), a free link (74) connected between a first corner of the main link and a yoke member (72), a housing (82), and an actuator (71) connected between the yoke member and the housing. A return spring bias means (70) connects the main link to a portion of the housing. A second corner of the main link is slidably and pivotally connected to the housing via a slot (81) in a web portion of the housing. The latch housing has a rigid docking ring (79) alignable with a mating locking ring (75) which is engageable by a locking roller (78) journalled on the third corner of the triangular main link.

Abstract: A latch system is provided for an aircraft nacelle. In one embodiment, the nacelle (10) comprises first (24) and second (18) cowls that are hingedly mounted to the nacelle for pivotal movement between closed, operational positions and open, maintenance positions. The latch system comprises latch means (42) movable to and from a latched position in which the latch means holds the first cowl in its closed position and prevents it from moving to an open position. The latch means includes locking means (152, 168) associated with the second cowl for holding the latch means in its latched position when the second cowl is in its closed position. As a result, the first cowl is held in its closed position when the second cowl is in its closed position. In a second embodiment, a disengageable latch (40) is provided for latching the edge of a cowl remote from the cowl hinge point (132).

Abstract: A two-part latch comprising hinged bail and crank for latching a globe and ring assembly to a fixed housing requires no screws, rivets or similar discrete fastening means. The crank member is a rectangular link formed from a length of resilient wire having its ends butted together at a split near the middle of one side. It is inserted into a captivating recess in which a pair of side ramps and a cut-off center ramp engage opposite faces of the link and cause the portions on each side of the split to twist and snap back after passing beyond the cut-off, whereby the crank is permanently captivated in a hinged attachment.

Abstract: A railway hopper car has a hatch opening defined by its upper deck surface. A hatch cover is adapted to close the hatch opening. A hinge arrangement is connected with the upper deck surface and a locking arm extends from the hinge arrangement and across the hatch cover, being connected to the hatch cover. The hinge arrangement has a stop thereon which supports the hatch cover when it is pivoted open. The locking arm has a hatch engagement portion on the end opposite the hinge arrangement which is engaged by a latch structure connected with the upper deck surface. The latch structure includes a pivoting latch holder and latch which may be engaged with the latch engagement portion and rotated in one direction to seal the hatch cover and rotated in the opposite direction to unseal the cover.

Abstract: A two-piece fastening assembly, for cabinet doors and other relatively movable objects, is disclosed. One piece comprises a housing, having attachments on its outside to fix it to one of the movable objects, with a rotatable, reciprocating catch positioned inside having projections which alternately engage fixed sockets in the housing. The other piece is a keeper that is attached to the other movable object that contacts the reciprocating catch and allows closing and opening of the two parts.

Abstract: A luggage, handbag or like clasp for a receptacle has a tension member engaging over an upper clasp part when a lever is displaced, the lever being connected to the tension member by a pair of independent links. The tension member and the base plate are provided with camming surfaces which swing the tension member outwardly when the lever is swung into its open position and inwardly when the lever is swung into its closed position.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism has a pivoted latch disposed between a retaining solenoid and a four-bar toggle linkage. The toggle linkage connects the operating stem of the solenoid to the latch, has an under-the-center arrangement in a direction away from the solenoid in the latched position of the mechanism, and provides a substantial mechanical advantage to amplify the holding force of the solenoid. When the solenoid is de-energized and pressure is applied to open the door, the latch pivots and the toggle linkage collapses to release the keeper bar. The keeper bar is trapped but has a limited movement in both horizontal and vertical directions in a plane substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the latch. The overall arrangement is relatively simple, compact, inexpensive, easy to install, and reliable in its operation.

Abstract: A door operating mechanism for a cab door of a material handling implement is disclosed which includes a hold-open latch arrangement for conveniently maintaining the door in a partially open position. The operating mechanism includes a selectively operable door latch mechanism mounted on the cab door which cooperates with a latch pin mounted on the cab frame for releasably maintaining the cab door in a closed position. The hold-open latch of the mechanism is pivotally mounted on the cab door for movement between active and inactive positions, whereby in the active position thereof the hold-open latch is releasably engageable with the frame-mounted latch pin. By this construction, the hold-open latch and latch pin can be positioned in cooperating engagement with each other whereby the cab door is maintained in a partially open position.

Abstract: A double hook latch includes a hook assembly, and means for adjusting the position of the hook assembly relative to a keeper arm. Each hook is mounted to independently rotate and the hook assembly can pivot to accommodate misalignment of a keeper arm.

Abstract: Improved low profile over-center toggle latch having a latch arm with an internally threaded latch barrel nut for adjustable cooperation with a threaded latch draw bolt. The bolt is pivotally coupled to a latch handle assembly. The latter comprises projecting sidewalls and a grip end. The latch handle assembly is mounted by means of integral flanges cooperating with journals defined in a mounting stirrup, the latter being mounted on the container body.

Abstract: A tunable quick release mechanism for securing at least one drum head to a drum shell in an aesthetically pleasing manner. The mechanism may be used with a drum having either one drum head or two drum heads. An anchor affixed to the drum shell is connected to grip by means of lever. A pivoting lug fitted within retaining grooves formed within the grip is connected to means to clamp the drum head to the drum shell. Spring means may be used to secure the pivoting lug within the retaining grooves.

Abstract: A closure (20) for a cable splice includes two mating covers (23, 24) and two end plate assemblies (30--30). Longitudinally extending joints between the covers are filled with sealing gaskets (141--141). Also a peripheral channel (45) in each end plate is filled with a circumferential gasket (147). The covers are assembled together to enclose the end plate assemblies with the gaskets in the joints therebetween. Then, the covers are moved toward each other and secured together by moving a continuous wire latch support frame (121) which is disposed on each side of the closure and which has a plurality of latching fingers (126--126) mounted pivotally therealong to cause each latching finger to snap past a center bistable position into locking engagement with an aligned seat along the closure. As the covers become secured together, the longitudinal and circumferential gaskets are caused to seal their associated joints.

Abstract: An adjustable draw latch of the over-center type for latching two closure members has a tension-link cover which is detachably secured pivotally at one end to a keeper mounted on one of the closure members. The cover is secured pivotally at its other end to one end of an adjustable compression link. The other end of the compression link is pivotally attached to a base bracket mounted on the other closure member. The adjustable compression link includes an internally threaded nut which is pivotal within the base bracket, and a T-shaped member having an a cross head of cylindrical shape and an externally threaded stud which extends from the cross head at right angles thereto and is threaded into the pivot nut. The cross head is pivotally secured within the cover at one end thereof. The cover provides a bearing surface for the cross head.

Abstract: An improved latch for securing together a pair of hinged cowlings surrounding an aircraft engine. The latch is characterized by having a safety lock for engaging a hook when the latch is in a locked or latched position and also for engaging the hook when the hook has been disengaged from a latch keeper thereby allowing the operator of the latch to engage and disengage the cowlings using only one hand.

Abstract: A fastener to removably secure two panels consists of a spring-loaded toggle latch (catch unit) on one panel and a keeper plate (strike) with a keeper lip on the other panel. The toggle latch comprises a pivot bracket with a flat base plate and opposite upstanding side ears, a pivotable operating lever (handle) and a pivotable hasp member (draw bar) having a downwardly turned lip at its free end to engage the keeper lip. The three members of the toggle latch are solely joined by left and right single-turn coiled torsion springs which spring-load the hasp member. In one embodiment the flat base plate of the pivot bracket has two openings, each with a series of staggered indentations forming pairs of indentations, which indented pairs are differently spaced from the edge of its panel, to permit adjustable mounting of the pivot bracket on its panel.

Abstract: A locking device comprising a handle rotatably supported on a body through a support shaft, a catch hook rotatably supported by said handle through a rotary shaft, and a hook secured to a counterpart member to be fastened to or detached from said body and engageable with said catch hook at the time of locking, said rotary shaft for rotatably supporting the catch hook on the handle being provided at a position closer to the body than a straight line passing through the support shaft and a portion of engagement between the catch hook and the hook when the handle approaches the body to take a locking position, and the counterpart member being locked against the body through the catch hook through a turnover action of the catch hook, said action occurring when the handle rotates, wherein there is provided a retainer to be projected to a position close to an opposite side portion of the handle during locking, said opposite side portion being substantially opposite to the rotary shaft with the support shaft interpo

Abstract: A power door latch for automotive vehicles in which an electric motor drives a crank to move a slider which, in turn, can act upon a toggle linkage and a pawl so that the latch can release a rotary bolt and a toggle linkage can displace the rotary bolt to latch or release a pin of the doorpost. The toggle linkage allows high friction forces to be readily overcome utilizing a low power motor.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an improved electro-mechanical lock wherein a connecting rod is articulated at its ends to the bolt and to a lever or crank, the latter being able to rotate about the axis of articulation of the connecting rod, with the special feature that the basic assembly formed by the bolt-connecting rod is constantly impelled by the action of a tension spring which has one of its ends anchored to the end of the articulation shaft of the connecting rod and of the crank.

Abstract: A universal single hung window including a frame and at least one prime window sash therein movable in the plane of the frame and tiltable about the lower edge thereof out of the plane of the frame, whereby the window may be used as a single hung or a hopper window in one position thereof and in another position thereof may be used as a glider window. The window structure includes a thermal barrier between a prime window and a storm window. A pivot lock having an over center spring therein extends in one position thereof into the path of the one prime window sash to lock it in closed position. In another position thereof the pivot lock permits movement of the one prime window sash in the plane of the frame.

Abstract: Door mounting structure for pivotally mounting a door to a cabinet for selectively closing an access opening of the cabinet and permitting the door to be opened from either side, as desired. The door mounting structure includes locking structure for effectively positively retaining the opposite side of the door in latched association with the hinge structure of the cabinet when the door is opened from either side. Operating structure is provided for closing a latch member from an open position as an incident of closing movement of the door portion carrying the latch. The door mounting structure is mounted within the upper and lower portions of the door for selective latched association with hinge pins mounted to the top and bottom of the cabinet.

Abstract: A removable latch assembly to be used in conjunction with releasably hinged closure panels, and more particularly for use in combination with a removable glass panel and an associated fixed frame structure such as employed with sunroofs for vehicles, wherein the assembly includes a toggle-jointed latch defined by a latch handle and a demountable anchor bracket interconnected by toggle-arm members. The opposite end of the latch handle is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the panel; and the toggle-arm members are pivotally connected to a demountable anchor bracket that is removably secured to the fixed frame structure by means of a keeper linked to the anchor bracket. The latch assembly is so arranged as to establish a low-profile position with in the opening of the frame structure when in both a closed and an open mode.

Abstract: A multi-portion ski fitted together with numerous shaped two-part metal coupling devices one part, usually forward, has two or more threaded metal ferrels protruding upward into which metal screws are fastened. The bottom plate on the connection portion slips over the ferrels forming a tight fit. The top plate, of about one half the size, adjustably locks the bottom plate into place by interacting with slots in the sides of the ferrels. An adjustable screw controls the tension of the locking portion of the coupling device which should always tightly lock the portions together without deformation of parts.

Abstract: An over-centered lock arrangement is provided for office furniture units, such as desks, credenzas and the like, that include one or more pedestals, having at least one closable compartment, in the nature of a drawer, a cabinet, et cetera, with a mechanism to lock the compartment closed, and a top extending the length of the unit. A primary lock is mounted in the unit, and includes lock tumblers mounted in a plug or cylinder, which is rotatable between the locked and unlocked positions. At least one lock slide is slidably mounted in the unit, and reciprocates to shift the compartment lock between locked and unlocked positions. The cam lock assembly includes a crank arm connected with the tumbler cylinder, and an actuator arm having opposite ends pivotally connected with the crank arm and the lock slide at first and second pivot points, whereby rotation of the tumbler cylinder reciprocates the lock slide.

Abstract: An enclosure for the end opening of a vehicle having one or more interior elevated decks includes a pair of door assemblies each comprising a plurality of pivotally joined panels. The door assemblies are suspended in a vertical manner by means of hanger assemblies having tracking elements guided within a rail member disposed above the level of a vehicle elevated deck. Transverse movement of any panel concurrently displaces the entire associated door assembly, as a unitary articulated assembly, between a closed position sealing off the end opening, and an open position with the door assembly well-spaced from a lateral edge of the deck, in which latter position maximum lateral clearance is provided for lading carried by all decks or levels.

Abstract: A door-operating mechanism is disclosed which is particularly suited for use with hingedly mounted swinging glass doors of a refrigerated display cabinet. The door operating mechanism includes an extensible gas spring biased toward an extended condition, and a linkage arrangement operatively interconnecting the gas spring with the door. A portion of the gas spring is movably disposed within a slot defined by the linkage arrangement such that in one position of the gas spring the door is biased toward its closed position, and in another position of the gas spring the door may be maintained in an opened position such as for stocking or maintenance of the display cabinet.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a window or door closure hingedly mounted on a fixed frame comprising a control cam and catch fixed to the hinged side of the frame, a driving rod slidably mounted on the closure, a dog mounted on one end of the driving rod for latchingly engaging the catch, and a cam follow mechanism connected to the opposite side of the driving rod for engaging the control cam so that the dog is moved by the driving rod in latching alignment with the catch when the closure is moved to the closed position relative to the frame.

Abstract: Passenger safety in vehicles equipped with sun roof accessory is enhanced by provision of a safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus for vehicle sun roof panels movably mounted in a vehicle roof opening circumscribed by a fixed flange. The apparatus comprises a roof panel, a roof opening interfitting flange defining a panel seat, anchor means secured to the flange freely of protrusions engendering personal injury, and an articulated coupler comprising first bar means connected at one end to the panel, and second bar means connected at one end to the anchor means, the first and second bar means being pivotally connected to each other at their respective other ends for locking the panel in seated or opened position relative to the flange, the second bar means being bodily deflectable from its said connected relations for complete panel removal from said flange, the anchor being thereby exposed and, by virtue of its design without exposing injury engendering protrusions.

Abstract: A toggle latch for fastening two members together. The latch includes a base adapted to be coupled to one member to be fastened and a draw bar connected to the base and having a free end for engagement with the other member to be fastened. A lever having an opening therein is connected to the draw bar and the base and is pivotable to shift the draw bar between open and closed positions to unfasten and fasten the two members respectively. A spring catch is provided having an anchor portion affixed to the lever. A resilient intermediate portion of the spring catch extends from the anchor portion and terminates in an actuator arm projecting through the opening in the lever. The resilient intermediate portion biases the actuator arm in one direction and permits the arm to be moved in a second direction.

Abstract: A safety binding for cross country skis that is capable of releasing a ski boot when the binding is overstressed by forces acting in any direction. The binding includes a boot mounted toe piece capable of being mounted upon the skier's boot that has a pair of laterally opposed open faced sockets formed therein and a ski piece having a pair of ball-like members mounted upon coating scissor arms. The ball members are laterally receivable within the socket openings when the scissor arms are moved from an open position toward a closed position thereby securing the toe piece to the ski piece. A biasing means acts between the arms of the scissors to urge the ball members into the closed position and thus hold the boot of the skier to the ski with a predetermined amount of force. Overcoming the holding force in any direction will cause the scissors to open and thus release the boot from the ski.

Abstract: A latch assembly holds a free hanging door against a support frame. The assembly includes a base adapted to be mounted to the support frame which includes a latch recess. A handle is pivotally mounted to the base and has a latch projection at one end thereof. A hook is coupled to the other end of the handle and the latch projection is arranged to enter the latch recess and be lockingly retained therein as the handle is rotated to a position whereat the door is drawn firmly against the support frame for locking the door and the handle.

Abstract: A fastener with a pivotable handle member comprises a fixed hasp to be secured to one panel and a lever assembly to be secured to the opposite panel. The lever assembly includes a bracket member having opposite side portions each having an opening to rotatably support the shaft portions of a pivotable handle member. The handle member has eccentric wing portions which provide camming force when pivoted within the curved portions of a movable hasp member which moves to open or close the fastener.

Abstract: A security bar for securely holding in a closed position a horizontally sliding door, such as a so-called patio door, for example, or a horizontally or vertically sliding window. The security bar of the invention consists of a massive metallic or plastic bar member, preferably square or rectangular in cross-section, pivotally supported at one end by means of a bracket from an inoperative position to an operative position wherein the free end of the bar member is supported by a clip with the longitudinal axis of the bar member substantially orthogonal to the rear edge of the frame of the sliding door or window and to a fixed structural surface such as the door or window jamb.

Abstract: A positioning device for selectively maintaining a vehicle closure member in an opened position and a closed position and including four pivotally interconnected link members which work in pairs for locking the closure member in the opened and closed positions.

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: Initial opening movement of a drawer in a cabinet by cam action raises a locking bar to lock the other drawers closed. In so doing the locking bar rotates a pinion having an arm which stresses a spring carrying it past an over-center position to maintain the bar in locking position while the moving drawer travels to the fully open position. The end of the closure of this drawer by cam action returns the bar, arm and spring to their initial state. A key-lock mechanism can raise the bar to lock all the drawers shut. If the cabinet is tilted forward substantially, gravity causes a ball to run to a position to hold the pinion against rotation thereby preventing all the drawers from automatically becoming locked due to the bar running to the locking position under gravity or inertia.

Abstract: A positive acting non-handed flush mounted fastener or lock ideally suited to casement windows and other swinging closures is provided. No parts project into the room to interfere with window hangings and when the sash or other closure is locked, no parts project into the light or sight line. A compound locking action employing a pivoted locking lever, a latch connected with the locking lever through a toggle and toggle link, and a cam track for the toggle link and latch provided in a casing for the lock develops great force to draw in or release a sash or other closure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for sliding doors, particularly of railway freight cars, has a hasp pivotally connected to a member defining an edge of the door opening, the pivotal connection being resiliently mounted on the edge defining member so as to keep the hasp under tension when the door is locked, the other end of the hasp being removably connected to the door by a manually actuable element pivoted on the door and manually swingable by means of a movable handle from locked position, in which the hasp is held in tension by a resilient connection to the door edge defining member, to an over-center unlocking position, movement of the hasp between locking and unlocking position being accommodated by the resiliency of the mounting of the hasp pivotal connection to the relatively movable member. An improved seal latch is also provided.

Abstract: According to the invention a lock for a portable container comprises a lug for being fixed on the body of the container, a latch having a hook-like end intended for engaging the cover of the container, a link connecting the latch with the lug, and a stirrup. The stirrup is introduced into longitudinal slots provided on the latch, said slots coinciding with a transverse groove provided on the lug when the lock is closed, due to which the stirrup enters the groove and fixes the latch, thereby preventing the latter from displacement relative to the lug.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supplemental locking device for panel type doors which are mounted in a frame having top and bottom members and where one panel is adapted to open by sliding with respect to the other into a position adjacent the other door panel. More particularly, the apparatus of the invention includes a vertically disposed mounting post attached to the top and bottom door frame members and having a rigid bar pivotally attached to the mounting post so as to abut against or lock onto the handle or other part of the frame of the movable door so as to prevent the movable door from being open when the locking bar is perpendicular to the mounting post and in contact with the sliding door's handle.

Abstract: A detachable latching device adapted for use with movable panels, and more particularly for use in combination with removable panels and the related fixed frame structure such as employed in sun-roofs for vehicles, wherein the device comprises a toggle-jointed latch having a pair of toggle bars wherein one defines a latch-handle-link member and the other a toggle arm, each being pivotally connected to the other at one end. The opposite end of the handle-link member is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the panel; and the toggle bar is pivotally connected to a demountable anchor bracket removably secured to the fixed frame structure wherein the anchor bracket includes a pair of oppositely disposed cleat members that are removably lockable to the fixed frame structure.

Abstract: An over-center latch mechanism having a spring loaded link including a projecting rod. The rod having an "S" shaped bend on its free end which permits insertion and removal of said bend from an elongate slot only by actuation of the lever in the over-center mechanism.

Abstract: A tension latch, embodying an over-center latching principle, includes means for adjusting the latch tension in the fully closed and latched position. The adjustment means is readily accessible through a channel-like opening formed by the latch handle. The same portion of the latch handle contains a secondary locking mechanism which is laterally offset from the adjustment means and is activated from the side of the handle, thereby maintaining complete access for tension adjustment. The lateral mounting and action of the locking mechanism allows the low profile of the latch to be maintained.

Abstract: A device for opening, closing and latching a roof vent closure member for vehicles and including an upper latch member pivotally connected to the closure member, a lower latch member pivotally connected to the frame defining the opening in the roof, said upper and lower latch members being pivotally interconnected and a bar connected to said upper latch member in offset relation to its pivotal connection to the lower latch member for actuating the device. The pivotal connections of the latch members are arranged to provide a toggle or off center relationship in closed position of the closure member. The latch members and pivotal connections thereof are so arranged to permit the crossbar to be positioned below and outwardly of the frame defining the roof opening to provide headroom, non-obstructed vision, and aesthetic appearance.