Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a latching mechanism and stiffness adjustment mechanism disposed in a housing. The housing includes a fishmouth slot for receiving a striker. The latching mechanism includes a fork bolt that moves between a latching position and an unlatching position. The fork bolt has a throat that is aligned with the throat of the housing for receiving the striker when the fork bolt is in the unlatching position and that captures the striker when the fork bolt is in the latching position. An overslam bumper has an elastomeric portion located at a rearward end of the housing slot. The elastomeric portion engages the striker and biases the striker against a surface of the throat of the fork bolt when the striker is captured. The elastomeric portion is preloaded by the stiffness adjustment mechanism that includes a flexible portion of the housing, an expandable bushing, a nut that slides in the bushing for expanding the bushing and an adjustment screw that screws into the nut.

Abstract: A security door latching mechanism and complementary receiver are arranged to be installed within a door and a complementary door jamb. In the preferred embodiment, the installation takes place in a vehicle and the latching mechanism can be installed either in the door or in the door frame or jamb. The latching mechanism includes a plunger shaft which is arranged to extend from the door jamb into the receiver, and is forcibly maintained in the extended position until retracted by an electrical current provided to an actuator. This actuator is spring-driven to keep the plunger shaft in an extended position until provided with an electrical power to retract the plunger shaft. A wedge-shaped guide forces the plunger shaft to slide to the recess when the door is being closed. It is necessary to constantly maintain the electric power to the actuator in order to keep the plunger shaft retracted.

Abstract: A security door latching mechanism and complementary receiver are arranged to be installed within a door and a complementary doorjamb. In the preferred embodiment, the installation takes place in a vehicle and the latching mechanism can be installed either in the door or in the door frame or jamb. The latching mechanism includes a plunger shaft which is arranged to extend from the doorjamb into the receiver, and is forcibly maintained in the extended position until retracted by an electrical current provided to an actuator. This actuator is spring-driven to keep the plunger shaft in an extended position until provided with an electrical power to retract the plunger shaft. It is necessary to constantly maintain the electric power to the actuator in order to keep the plunger shaft retracted.

Abstract: A lock assembly is formed from a two-piece plastic unit that is held together and to the compartment door by a planar lanced metal spring. The latch projection is ramped relative to the latch retainer slot within the compartment door to cause the latch piece to become jammed within the retainer slot in the event the door is subjected to severe internally-generated gas pressures.

Abstract: A lock device has a striker and a lock proper. The lock proper includes a base member having a striker receiving slot into which the striker can be led. A latch plate is pivotally connected to the base member. A locking plate is pivotally connected to the base member. A striker restraining member is pivotally connected through a pivot shaft to the base member. The striker restraining member is pivotal between a restraining position, where a contact edge thereof abuts against the striker, and a releasing position, where the contact edge disengages from the striker. Springs are employed for biasing the latch plate to pivot toward a stand-by position, biasing the locking plate to pivot toward a lock position, and biasing the striker restraining member to pivot toward the restraining position. A link mechanism is employed for causing the striker restraining member to take the restraining position when the latch plate and the locking plate take latching and lock positions respectively.

Abstract: A shipping clip is provided for a casket which has a body or shell with a top ledge including a front edge and a pair of caps pivoted to the body and closable thereon, with each of the pair of caps having a header wall on an end thereof. The header walls are in a confronting relationship one to another when the pair of caps are closed upon the body. The shipping clip spaces the header walls from one another and spaces the caps from the body during shipping of the closed casket. The shipping clip comprises a base which has two side edges and which is adapted to be placed atop the top ledge of the casket body, a first wall extending upwardly from the base intermediate the base side edges, and second and third walls extending upwardly from the base, one of which is located on one side of the first wall and the other of which is located on the other side of the first wall.

Abstract: Objectional vehicle door opening and closing sounds are eliminated by dampening vibration in the vehicle door system. An integral dampener is positioned to engage the bolt of the door latch assembly reducing the resonation of the door opening's frame caused by release of the striker from the latch bolt. The integral dampener frictionally engages the bolt for an initial opening and final closing portion of the linear travel of the door. Once initial opening has occurred and the striker has returned to its normal door-open, no-load position, the integral dampener disengages from the bolt and the latch assembly operates in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment includes a door hingedly mounted thereon, with a latch assembly mounted on the door and cooperable with a latch opening in the storage compartment. The latch assembly includes a mounting bracket and a handle interconnected by a pair of flexible straps, a latch extension formed on the handle, an opening formed in the mounting bracket, and a latch spring having a fixed end secured to an edge of the opening, and a downward bend portion extending from the fixed end to a free distal end, adapted to contact a fixed surface and become compressed when the door is closed to prevent the door from rattling under vehicle operation.

Abstract: An improved anti-theft device for use with a vehicle door locking mechanism, the latter having a sill knob rod rotatably connected to a locking lever so that actuating the sill knob rod moves the locking lever to either lock or unlock the locking device, includes a housing to cover and protect the locking mechanism. The tube is joined to the housing and surrounds the sill knob rod engaged to the locking lever. The periphery of the sill knob rod is spaced away from the inner wall of the tube over the full length of the sill knob rod enclosed within the tube.

Abstract: A door holding device for motor vehicle doors includes a door holding rod which is swivelably attached to a structural door component, a door or a door post. The door holding rod extends with its other end through a holder housing mounted on another structural component or the like. The door holding rod has along its length increased thickness portions which protrude outwardly transversely of the longitudinal direction of the door holding rod. The door holding rod is freely swivelably mounted on a carrier member by means of a clinch bolt or a screw bolt. A spring load is applied to the door holding rod in axial direction of the swivel bearing of the door holding rod. The clinch bolt or screw bolt is mounted secured against rotation in the opening of the carrier member. The clinch bolt or screw bolt additionally has a knurled profiling in engagement with the opening of the door holding rod.

Abstract: A door locking mechanism for use on the inside of a pair of outswinging doors mounted in the opening of a frame in which the doors are hinged at opposite edges and having free edges adjacent each other and free to be moved between the opening and closing of the doors. The mechanism comprises extended members U-shaped in cross section mounted on the doors. One end terminates substantially flush with the free edge of each door. A latch plate is mounted for sliding movement within one U-shaped member. The latch plate is provided with a handle extending through a slot in the U-shaped member which can be employed to move the latch plate. The latch plate is moved between a closed position wherein the latch plate extends past the free edges of the doors to overlap the second door and an open position where the plate is entirely within the width of the first door. A lever is provided to clamp or unclamp the latch plate in either the open or closed positions.

Abstract: A handhole latch is disclosed for use with an infant incubator and which is damped by one or more elastomeric O-rings to reduce noise and vibration that could startle the infant. The O-rings are positioned between a moving piston latch and a housing such that the O-rings are sandwiched between the moving piston latch and the housing as the piston latch snaps, by spring bias, into its position holding the handhole door closed.

Abstract: A door assembly in which an elastomeric roller, carried by a door, rolls against a latch member to pivot the latch member in one direction until the roller reaches a detent and then pivots in an opposite direction to lock the roller in the detent and the door in a closed position. The door is opened by pivoting the latch member in the first direction to release the roller from the detent.

Abstract: Motor vehicle door handle of the type having a spring biased actuating lever for activating the closing mechanism. To reduce impact noise, the actuating lever is assigned, during its return movement until its end position is reached, a damping element which exerts on the actuating lever a braking force reduced with decreasing speed of the actuating lever, thus allowing a uniform return of the actuating lever into its end position and consequently an effective minimization of the impact noise.

Abstract: The Device is of the push pad type having a translating action rod which is biased in the latch bolt-extended position. An abutment is fixed to the action rod to receive thereagainst the extending plunger of a shock absorber which is removably coupled to an open guide base. The base is mounted on a base plate to support action rod operating bellcranks, and to support the action rod therein also. A shock absorber holder is clasped to the guide base, and the cylinder of the shock absorber, in which a viscous fluid is confined, is engaged by the holder to direct the plunger toward the abutment. In the depicted embodiment, the plunger resists retraction, to decelerate and damp the return of the push pad and action rod to their at-rest positions and, consequently, to suppress the operating noise of the panic exit device.

Abstract: A vehicle door may sometime be positioned in a half-latched condition for bringing the door from this condition to a fully latched condition, a door closing device is actuated in such manner that a pawl is rotated by a motor so as to be fully engaged with a striker. Due to this rotation of the pawl, the door is also rotated towards the body. If a portion of material or other objects are unfortunately put between the body and the rotating the door, the transmission of the driving force from the motor to the pawl through a first member and a second member can be interrupted by actuating an inside-handle (an outside-handle) which is operatively connected to the first member. Thus, further movement of the door is prevented, thereby preventing further damage of the material or injury of the other objects.

Abstract: A wedge assembly to be secured to a vehicle door to prevent door rattling during vehicle operation. A slide element is captured by a base plate and stops are provided to prevent inadvertent disassembly.

Abstract: A self-adjusting door strike for a bolt assembly which adjusts to existing door conditions by deflecting a resilient member against the bolt of the door thereby eliminating rattle. The strike includes a conventional strike plate having a compensating member spanning the strike opening. The resilient compensating member can be in the form of a resilient plastic member or rollers axially mounted to a spring-wire. This compensating member engages the bolt to prevent the door and bolt mechanism from rattling within the strike while also compensating for shrinkage or warping of the door.

Abstract: A vehicle door latch for use in combination with a door bolt has a housing formed with a horizontally open recess in which the bolt is receivable, a latch fork formed with a fork seat, and a fork pivot to one vertical side of the recess on the housing supporting the fork for pivoting between a locked position with the seal directed vertically away from the fork pivot and the bolt engaged in the seat and an unlocked position permitting the bolt to enter and exit seat and recess. A latch pawl is pivotal on the housing into and out of a position retaining the fork in the locked position. A retaining dog formed with a dog seat is carried on a dog pivot to the vertical side of the recess on the housing opposite the fork pivot for pivoting between a retaining position with the dog seat directed vertically away from the dog pivot and the bolt engaged in the dog seat as well as in the fork seat, and a freeing position permitting the bolt to enter and exit the recess.

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: A pawl structure in a door locking device for a vehicle in which a latch member is rotatably supported, comprising a claw member engaged with the latch member to prevent the latch member from being rotated, the claw member including a claw portion and a resin portion engaged with the latch member and made of resin and covering at least a portion of the claw portion; and a base shaft member connected to the claw member and pivotally connected to the door locking device and having a base shaft portion substantially perpendicular to the claw portion of the claw member, and a resin portion made of resin and covering at least a portion of the base shaft portion.

Abstract: A bolt assembly for a motor-vehicle latch wherein the assembly is secured to a doorpost and coacts with a latch fork according to the invention has a metallic U-shaped yoke having an inner flange adapted to be secured to the doorpost and an outer flange spaced therefrom, forming a fork-receiving space therewith, and having an outer surface turned away from the inner flange. A metallic bolt is fixed to the two flanges and extends generally perpendicularly therebetween. A nonmetallic resilient sleeve surrounds the bolt between the flanges and a nonmetallic cover overlies at least the outer surface of the outer flange.

Abstract: A latching member is formed with a recess in which a striker is to be fitted. Each of opposite wall surfaces at the entrance of the recess comprises an elastic member to prevent the occurrence of a large noise upon hit of the striker against those wall surfaces. The recess has its deep part formed to have a width not larger than the diameter of the striker, thereby preventing swing movement of the latching member relative to the striker. Further, a fully locking tooth formed on the latching member has an engagement surface to be engaged with a pawl, the engagement surface being provided with a noiseles member to prevent the occurrence of a large noise upon abutment of the fully locking tooth with the pawl.

Abstract: A keyless lock for a window, sliding door and the like is provided and is in a wedge shaped configuration so as to fit between two parts of the window and sliding door to prevent opening thereof.

Abstract: A locking device for locking a closure member of a vehicle including a pivotal locking member having a slot for receiving a rod-like engaging member with a slight spacing between the slot and engaging member. A jackplate is provided which is pivoted coaxially with the locking member and is urged by a spring toward the engaging member thereby absorbing any play produced due to the slight spacing between the engaging member and locking member. This locking arrangement absorbs any vibrations applied to the locking device which may cause rattling sounds.

Abstract: A shroud top vent grille is releasably retained or attached to the front fenders of a vehicle by a retainer means. The retainer means comprises a pair of headed weld studs welded to an inner wall of the fender a predetermined distance below its upper external surface and a one piece plastic retainer member which can be readily secured to the weld studs and which is adapted to releasably retain the shroud top vent grille in place and so that it is flush with the adjacent external fender while preventing rattling.

Abstract: A latch for securing a panel within an overhead opening includes a base portion which is secured to the panel. A cam is pivotally mounted to the base and is biased such that upon insertion of the panel into the opening a foot on the cam snaps over adjoining structure, pinching the structure against the base and thereby securing the panel. A trigger mechanism pivotally mounts to the cam and is configured to lock the cam in an unlatched position upon desired removal of the panel.

Abstract: A locking device comprises a lever pivotally mounted to a panel which is detachably fitted in a roof opening of automotive vehicles, a stationary body fixed to the vehicle roof and provided with a pair of parallel arms each having a hole therein, and a link mechanism including a stationary bracket fixed to the lever, a pair of links pivoted to the bracket and each having a pin for fitting in the hole in the arm and a spring interposed between the links to urge the links to move in opposite directions. The resilient engagement of the pins of the mechanism with the holes in the arms of the stationary body will avoid any rattle caused between the detachable panel and the vehicle roof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination door and panic handle for use on the interior side of entrance doors. In one mode of operation the panic handle may be moved inwards toward the door face to unlatch the door. In this mode of operation the door may be opened on the exterior side by use of a key. In an alternative mode of operation, the panic handle is "locked-out" and prevented from moving. In this mode of operation the door is unlatched and the panic handle may be used as a fixed door handle. In the movable mode of operation, pressure may be applied along any portion of the panic handle to facilitate unlatching the door. The operating mechanism of the panic handle is concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. A new anti-rattle and sound deadening feature is also provided for the latch mechanism, and a particularly unique adjustment feature for in-field adjustment of latch length extension is also provided.

Abstract: An anti-rattle element for a curtain of a closure, the curtain having a corrugated surface and, adjacent to its edges, either a strap riveted to crests of each corrugation or bridges extending across the troughs of the corrugations. The strap or bridges form detent surfaces engageable by a resilient latching tongue protruding rearwardly from a body of the anti-rattle element. The tongue has a tip that engages either the bridge or the strap to hold the anti-rattle element to the curtain. The body of the element also has first and second abutment side faces and a rear face having a recess therein which embraces a portion of an edge margin of the curtain. The anti-rattle element is connected to the curtain in such manner that its abutment faces are disposed respectively on opposite sides of the curtain and face outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided wherein the pawl has a concave recess which provides a vertical clearance between the pawl and the striker to allow limited vertical movement of the door. The vertical clearance reduces contact between the pawl and the striker to reduce wear.