Abstract: A self-aligning latch for a closure panel includes a base member adapted to be attached to either one of a closure panel or vehicle structure and an attaching flange extending transversely along a side of the base member, such that the attaching flange includes an alignment slot. The self-aligning latch also includes an alignment plate pivotally mounted to the attaching flange. The self-aligning latch further includes a striker receiving member operatively mounted to the alignment plate and having a striker lead-in portion for receiving a striker attached to either one of the vehicle structure or the closure panel. The self-aligning latch includes an alignment member disposed within the alignment slot for positioning the alignment plate relative to the attaching flange to align the closure panel relative to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A blind latching system secures a closure element to a storage structure. A keeper sub-assembly is mounted in a fixed position for engagement by a latch sub-assembly which is affixed to and moves with the closure element. The keeper sub-assembly includes a keeper pin defining a generally elongated shaft, a mounting bracket into which the keeper pin is received and a housing for permitting alignment of the keeper pin when fastening with the latch sub-assembly.

Abstract: A shear-type electromagnetic lock is disclosed whose armature can approach the electromagnet from any transverse direction, which can be mounted in any orientation with respect to gravity, and which does not require any door position sensing means. The armature includes a pair of standoffs in the form of conically projecting buttons affixed thereto, the buttons projecting from the plane of contact between the armature and the electromagnet. The buttons have a base angle of 60-80 degrees adjacent the armature, and an angle of 45 degrees distal from the armature, and terminate in a smoothly rounded point. The armature is mounted to a sub-plate via counteracting springs such that the armature "floats" on the sub-plate, with the distance between the armature and the sub-plate being adjustable via adjusting screws.

Abstract: A rod-roller latching system mounted on a panel secures the panel to the frame of an enclosure. The central latch rotates a pawl. Rods attach the pawl to remote latches. Two-part guides each having a mounting bracket and a bearing sleeve position the rods.

Abstract: A window locking arrangement includes a keeper having a locking tab and a lock having a cam member which is rotatably movable into contact with the locking tab. The inner surface of the cam member is flat at its locked location of contact with the keeper tab.

Abstract: A door system for closing a doorway in a mine stopping includes a door hinged adjacent the doorway for swinging relative to the stopping between a closed position and an open position. A keeper is mounted in fixed position relative to the doorway. A latch mechanism is cooperable with the keeper for latching the door in its closed position. The latch mechanism has a detent portion and is operable to move the detent portion between a latching position in which the detent portion engages the keeper for latching the door closed, and an unlatching position in which the detent portion is disengaged from the keeper for allowing the door to be opened.

Abstract: A shear-type electromagnetic lock is disclosed whose armature can approach the electromagnet from any transverse direction, which can be mounted in any orientation with respect to gravity, and which does not require any door position sensing means. The armature includes a pair of standoffs in the form of conically projecting buttons affixed thereto, the buttons projecting from the plane of contact between the armature and the electromagnet. The buttons have a base angle of 60-80 degrees adjacent the armature, and an angle of 45 degrees distal from the armature, and terminate in a smoothly rounded point. The armature is mounted to a sub-plate via counteracting springs such that the armature "floats" on the sub-plate, with the distance between the armature and the sub-plate being adjustable via adjusting screws.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle latch system is aligned in a single operation without trial-and-error manipulations of the striker. An alignment mechanism is mounted on the vehicle body to align the striker on the vehicle body with the latch on the vehicle door. The alignment mechanism includes an elongated latch sensor having one end attached to a loosely mounted striker and another end adapted to mate with the door latch when the door is moved to a partially closed position. After the latch sensor has been locked in a proper position for alignment of the striker and latch, the door can be opened to allow the striker to be fastened to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A yieldable plastic collar is mounted on the latch housing to surround the entry recess of the housing and be engaged by the striker to thereby isolate the striker from noise producing contact with the housing. The plastic collar has a base portion attached to the housing and a striker contacting portion projecting from the base portion into the entry recess of the latch housing. The contacting portion is connected to the base portion by an integrally molded living hinge so that the contacting portion yields to remain in full time contacting engagement with the striker irrespective of shifting movement or misalignment between the housing and the striker.

Abstract: An adjustable gate latch has a striker bar and a latch component including a base with a track. The latch assembly slides along the track when engaged by a striker that is out of line with the latch member. This automatically compensates for relative movement between the gate and the associated gate posts.

Abstract: A window snubber including a flat metal base having means adapted for securing the base against a window frame and/or a window sash, a metal snubber flange integral with the base and extending substantially upright therefrom, and supporting wings integrally formed with the base and the flange, and a method of manufacturing thereof. The flange has a side adapted to engage a window sash and/or a corresponding side of a second window snubber, when the sash is closed relative to a window frame. The supporting wings extend from opposite sides of the flange to integral connections to the base. The flange extends upright substantially along a plane with the flange side adapted to engage a window sash and/or second snubber facing one side relative to the plane, and the wing integral connections to the base extend on the other side relative to the plane. A portion on the top of the flange is bent into the other side relative to the plane.

Abstract: A window guard locking device (34) comprises a flange member (36) having a keyhole (42) therethrough, a member (40) having a central cavity (50), an intermediate member (38) having an opening (46) disposed between the flange member (36) and the member (40) with the axis of the keyhole, the opening and the central cavity being coincident, and at least one projection (48) extending inwardly from a wall of the opening (46) adjacent the keyhole (42) with a surface of the projection (48) being aligned with a respective wall of the keyhole (42).

Abstract: The latch assembly disclosed provides a cabinet latch that is both earthquake and child resistant, but which is easy for an adult to open. This assembly can be used on cabinet doors of differing lengths and configurations.

Abstract: A luggage catch has a catch part having an edge, a tongue pivotally mounted on the catch part, extending downward past the edge thereof, and having a pair of oppositely outwardly directed sides, and a strike part having an edge and formed with a seat opening at the strike-part edge and having a pair of oppositely inwardly directed sides generally complementary to and fittable with the sides of the tongue below the catch-part edge in a closed position of the catch with the edges engaging each other. Retaining formations in the strike part and on the tongue engage each other in the closed position of the catch for holding the tongue in place in the seat.

Abstract: A mounting panel of stamped steel has the door hardware such as the window regulator and door handles fixedly mounted thereon to facilitate preassembly and shipping. The mounting panel is subsequently mounted on the vehicle door. A door latch is provided for latching the door in the closed position and a retainer means is provided acting between the mounting panel and the door latch to loosely connect the door latch to the mounting panel for convenience of preassembly and shipping. The retainer means is a molded plastic retainer having integral projections which are force fit into plurality of openings provided in a door latch. The retainer means also has an integral headed prong structure which is loosely retained within an opening in the mounting panel with the aperture being oversized with respect to the headed prong to thereby permit adjusting movement of the door latch relative to the mounting panel.

Abstract: A self-adjusting lock has a keeper stud with a base that is mounted in a recess in a keeper assembly so that it can slide in four directions. As the bevelled keeper stud is pressed into an opening in a latch assembly, the stud self-adjusts in the necessary direction to achieve alignment. A spring pressing the base against a surface causes the base, and so the keeper stud, to be frictionally held in its new position. The keeper stud has a series of spaced ratchet teeth, axially separated from one another, any of which can interengage with the latch mechanism. Thus, the lock is adjusted in this direction each time the lock is closed, resulting in a lock self-adjustable in six directions.

Abstract: A latch system for securing upper and lower cowl sections of an outboard motor. The latch system comprises a catch assembly located at one end of the cowl assembly, and a latch mechanism located at the other end of the assembly. The catch assembly includes a catch block mounted to one of the cowl sections, with a catch slot formed in the catch block. A roller member is mounted to the other of the cowl sections, for engaging the catch slot. The catch slot is formed so as to provide an end wall against which the roller is maintained when the cowl sections are secured together, with the material of the catch block engaging the roller member to prevent relative vertical movement between the cowl sections. A cam block is located at the same end of the cowl assembly as the latch mechanism, and is mounted to one of the cowl sections. A cam follower is mounted to the other of the cowl sections, and engages a cam surface formed on the cam block for facilitating movement of the roller member into the catch slot.

Abstract: A latch for the tailgate of a pickup truck is provided which employs a conical striker mechanism engaging a resiliently biased jaw, contact surfaces of the jaw and striker being arranged to cause further locking engagement upon attempted withdrawal of the striker from engagement with the jaw in the locked condition, the striker and jaw being arranged in the vehicle body to be self-adjustingly positionable at assembly and utilize a minimal number of separate parts to perform these functions.

Abstract: The improvement as in an electromagnetic door lock device. The device includes an electromagnet which is secured to the underside of the top of door frame, and an armature connected to the top of a door hinged in the frame. The armature moves between a resting unlocked down position and a locking position in which the armature extends up toward the electromagnet being attracted thereto. When in that attracted position, the armature is intercepted by one or more tab plates depending from one or both of the opposite sides of the electromagnet so that the door cannot be opened. Deenergizing the electromagnet causes the armature to fall down to the unlocked position. The improvement includes a protrusion from one or both of the opposite sides of the armature, which protrusion fits within a notch on the underside of the tab plate to lock these two parts together. The tab plate may have adjustment slots for aligning the notch and protrusion.

Abstract: A paddle handle latch includes a frame which defines a recess, and a peripheral handle which is mounted for pivotal movement in the recess. A retainer is mounted to the frame to define a channel having a latching axis and this retainer is shaped to receive a striker moving along the latching axis and to retain the striker against movement transverse to the latching axis. A catch is pivotably mounted in the retainer to move between an open position and a closed position. A linkage interconnects the paddle handle and the catch such that the paddle handle operates to move the catch between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A locking entry door latch equipped with a positive locking dead bolt and a latch bolt. The latch includes a housing, a sliding latch bolt mechanism, a sliding dead bolt mechanism, a center bolt to resist longitudinal loading, a strike assembly with a precatch that holds the door latched when it is not completely closed and a final catch for the latch bolt and dead bolt, a locking mechanism and inside and outside operating handles. Both the locking mechanism and the operating handles are independently operable from inside or outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for improving the safety and air tightness of doors, casement windows, or the like and is applicable to casement locks, casement bolts, multi-bolt locks, or the like. The device comprises in combination a dead bolt and a mechanism for positioning and urging the leaf of the door, window or the like against its dormant frame. The positioning mechanism and the dead bolt are actuated sequentially by a control member such as a control rod cooperating with the control mechanism of the casement bolt, casement lock, multi-bolt lock or the like.

Abstract: A door lock system of a vehicle which comprises a member having a recessed portion which is provided at either one of an end face of a vehicle body and an end face of a door which confront each other when the door is in its closed position; and a member having a projected portion which is provided at the other of the end faces; the projected portion having a guide slot and an engaging slot; the recessed portion having a guide pin with a tapered end portion which is adapted to be guided into the guide slot and a hook member which is engageable with the engaging slot and connected to a door lock opening/closing device to lock the hook member at a locking portion provided at an end of the engaging slot.

Abstract: A pair of bi-fold assemblies includes a lock for securing the assemblies in a closed position. The lock includes a latch bolt mounted on a panel of a first assembly, and a base plate of a second assembly includes an extending portion with an opening to receive the latch bolt.

Abstract: An opening/closing device for detachably coupling a closure member to the open edge portion of a body includes a locking shaft provided upon the side of the body, a bracket secured to the closure member and having a notch defined therein, an operating lever having an end portion provided with a pawl portion for engaging the locking shaft within the open end region of the notch, and spring means provided upon the operating lever for biasing the pawl portion in the direction of engagement with the locking shaft. When the closure member is set upon the body, the notch is engaged with the locking shaft. The closure member is closed relative to the body by the engagement of the notch and pawl portion with the locking shaft. When the closure member is opened in a cantilevered state, this device serves as a hinge. By operating the operating lever against the biasing force of the spring means so as to disengage the pawl portion from the locking shaft, the closure member is separated from the body.

Abstract: An improved roof panel latch mechanisms of the type in which a latch bolt is selectively retractable and extendible from a roof closure panel to respectively engage and disengage an end portion of the latch bolt in the bolt receiving aperture of a keeper mounted on a vehicle body. A sleeve, preferably of plastic material, is slidably mounted on the end portion of the latch bolt and has a tapered end. A spring acts between the latch bolt and the sleeve to bias the sleeve in the direction toward engagement with the keeper. The keeper has a tapered surface engageable by the spring biased sleeve so that the tapered end of the sleeve engages with the tapered surface of the keeper to establish a rattle-free relationship between the latch bolt and the keeper. The latch bolt extends further beyond the sleeve and into the keeper.

Abstract: The locking device is provided with a jaw for receiving a swinging pin or trunnion, e.g. on the side or tail board of a truck or lorry, as well as with a bolt for the jaw opening. It also has a pivotably mounted claw movable by the bolt by means of a cotter gear and this claw grasps said pin as soon as it is in the pivoting region of the claw and forces it into the jaw. The bolt is advanced synchronously with the claw movement. The swinging pin is held by the bolt with supporting of the claw in the jaw.

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 microwave oven door aligning assembly is provided and includes a centering prong rigidly mounted on the door of the oven and projecting beyond the inside surface of the door. A clip is mounted to the oven behind the front face of the oven cavity and the clip has an opening in alignment with an opening in the front face. A centering prong receiving receptacle having a rigid square body portion is removably inserted into the clip opening and secured to the clip. The receptacle has a square opening to receive the centering prong which opening is offset from the center of the receptacle such that two opposite sides of the opening are equal distance from the center and the other two opposite sides of the opening are of unequal distance from the center. With this arrangement the receptacle may be rotatably installed to assure proper parallel alignment of the door relative to the top and bottom cabinet walls by cooperation between the centering prong and the receptacle.

Abstract: An adjustable and releasable locking device for a removable vehicle roof panel is disclosed. A rotating lever longitudinally projects a pair of tapered pins which mate with apertures in the windshield post and headliner. The transverse and vertical position of the tapered pins is adjustable to position the panel relative to other parts of the vehicle and provide a smooth transition between the vehicle roof and the removable panel and provide an adequate seal between the vehicle and the removable panel.

Abstract: Valve means associatable with free traveling spherical means are sealing engageable onto and wipable off of companion seats to selectively control flow. A spool permits selective movement of the head means to the seat means and selective engagement of the head and seat means upon shuttling.An interface assembly comprises means which are extendible to the spool and a piston head element within the housing and carried around an extension for travel along the extension in response to pressure variation. The piston head is shiftable in a first direction in response to fluid variation for travel along the extension for transfer of the spherical means within the piston from one camway to another camway without movement of the spool within the housing.

Abstract: An improved security strike plate assembly is provided. The assembly consists of a wrap-around security plate which normally includes an adjustable strike plate. The security plate extends around three sides of a wood lock-side jamb member to which it is mounted in order to enhance the impenetrability of the door by preventing splitting of the lock-side jamb and resultant dislocation of the strike plate and keeper during thrusts against the door. The strike plate is adjustable without removing the security plate to accommodate slight variations in the size or shape of the door or frame during seasonal or atmospheric changes.

Abstract: A latch mechanism comprises a latch member having a latch portion having spaced recess walls defining a recess. One of the recess walls is disposed across a keeper bar receiving slot in the path of a keeper bar entering the slot for rotation of the latch member to a latch position against the force of a latch spring, while the opposite recess wall being positioned to move across the keeper bar receiving slot behind the keeper bar as the latch member moves to the latched position to confine the keeper bar within the slot. The opposite recess wall has a slanted face which when the latch member is in the latched position contacts with the keeper bar to urge the keeper bar into contact with one of parallel sides of the slot, to hold the keeper bar therebetween.

Abstract: Fastening means for a hinged door consists of a locking cam shaped like an elongated hooked finger, swingable about a vertical axis to and from overengaged relation with a keeper pin to secure and release the door. The cam is tapered to reduced vertical thickness toward its free end and is keystone-shaped in cross section. The keeper pin is contained in a keeper housing into and out of which the cam moves. The keeper housing has wall portions with which the cam is engageable if the door is sagged or misaligned, so that due to its tapered form the cam urges the door toward realignment during closing. Due to the cross-sectional shape of the cam, the area of contact between the cam and such wall portions of the housing is limited (theoretically to a point) during movement of the cam to and from the locked position.

Abstract: A generally arcuate camming finger is disposed at each end of a vertical lock rod which is rockable about its axis and which extends above and below the edges of a door of a cargo vehicle body such as an enclosed freight-hauling semi-trailer, or a large container for cargo. The lock rod has a horizontally extending operating handle that locks against the outer surface of the door in the conventional manner. As the door completes its closing movements, each finger enters an opening in a hollow keeper housing secured to the header or sill of the door opening, and when the lock rod is rotated exerts a camming force by engagement with a keeper pin to produce the final movement of the door to closed and locked position. The door has a reinforcing rib which carries one half of an anti-rack mechanism the other half of which is associated with a keeper housing which carries the keeper pin.