Abstract: A pedal trash receptacle intended for use in public places including restaurants, which allows two-handed handling of food trays. The trash receptacle utilizes a push-pull, or Bowden type cable connected between a foot pedal and a pivotally mounted door to cause opening of the door by actuation of the foot pedal. The trash receptacle comprises an upper portion which is hinged to a lower main portion so that the upper portion can be flipped open to permit insertion and removal of trash bags. When the top is closed the trash receptacle permits trash to be deposited through a door mounted and hinged in the upper portion of the trash receptacle. Stepping on the foot pedal causes the door to open inwardly permitting trash to be deposited inside the receptacle. When the foot pedal is released the door is closed by the action of springs. The trash receptacle also permits trash to be deposited by pushing the door open by hand.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for operating a door hold-open device and a device for carrying out the method. A door hold-open device which unlatches a held door based upon the occurrence of an unlatch condition includes a door latching mechanism, a signal processing circuit having a power source. The method consists of the steps preventing the signal processing mechanism from consuming electrical current, upon occurrence of an unlatch condition, generating a unlatch condition signal and providing electrical current to the signal processing mechanism to power it, determining the continued existence of the unlatch condition signal with the signal processing mechanism and upon determination of the continued existence of the unlatch condition signal with the signal processing mechanism, transmitting an electrical unlatch signal to the door latching mechanism.

Abstract: A swing-away emergency escape window is provided which automatically swings outwardly from a closed position to an opened position when a latching handle is actuated. A method of converting a conventional window to the emergency escape window is described.

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: A hydraulically damping apparatus for the door of a control part of electric and electronic goods comprises a damper body, a rotating fan having wings mounted on a shaft, a transmitting lever operatively fixed to the shaft of the rotating fan and a door integrally formed with an interlocking plate. The apparatus can shorten the opening time and maintain the safety by automatically controlling the damping oil flow.

Abstract: A door hold open device for use with fire doors connected to a door closer unit. The hold open device has a latching means that automatically unlatches if the power supply drops below a predetermined threshold or a person attempts to disconnect the power supply. The device includes an electrical actuating means for unlatching the held open door. The actuating means allows a door to be latched open without constant current being supplied to the actuating means, so battery power is possible. The invention may be used with any door closer unit, does not require special wiring, and may include a self-contained power supply and an integral smoke detector.

Abstract: The shutter opening device, particularly for pleasure craft hatchways, has a gas spring type pneumatic cylinder which actuates the closing and opening movements of the shutter of hatch. A control rod protrudes from the stem of the cylinder, and a pivoting lever acts upon the rod. A button is used to keep the lever in one of the two positions which either locks the stem in a secured position or permits the stem to freely slide.

Abstract: A door hold open device for use with fire doors connected to a door closer unit. The hold open device has a latching means that automatically unlatches if the power supply drops below a predetermined threshold or a person attempts to disconnect the power supply. The device includes an electrical actuating means for unlatching the held open door. The actuating means allows a door to be latched open without constant current being supplied to the actuating means, so battery power is possible. The invention may be used with any door closer unit, does not require special wiring, and may include a self-contained power supply and an integral smoke detector.

Abstract: An integrated capsulized cabin for a passenger aircraft is provided and consists of an independent frame structure with a pair of bulkheads on each end in which sliding bulkhead doors will close by air pressure during air pressure loss to seal the cabin. A very strong elastic wire mesh material is disposed about the frame structure within the fuselage of the aircraft to reinforce the frame structure during expansion and contraction conditions.

Abstract: A burglar bar assembly for establishing a security barrier across a door or window opening composed of a plurality of horizontal cross bars held in vertically spaced relation by intervening and transversely related vertical members. Certain of the vertical members are fixed rigidly to certain of the cross bars, but slidably joined to others in a manner to provide for extension and retraction adjustment of the barrier to accomodate variations in door or window dimensions. The bar assembly is hingedly connected at one end to a window or door frame to provide for swinging opening and closing operation of the barrier. A safety latch is mounted adjacent one end of the bar assembly and comprises a spring loaded cam member pivotally moveable against spring bias by a remotely operated cable. The cam member serves to capture and lock the unhinged end of the barrier to a rigid locking channel secured to the window or door frame; such channel having spaced angulated slots receptive of the cross bars.

Abstract: An removable frame assembly for building apertures that can be readily pushed out by a user in an emergency situations. It includes a fixed frame rigidly mounted to the aperture and a second frame removably mounted to the fixed frame. The removable frame rigidly houses the window for the aperture and, optionally, security bars to prevent trespassers from entering through the window. The security bars can be installed inside or outside the building. A relatively remotely located locking mechanism releasably keeps the fixed and removable frames together. A spring member sandwiched between the fixed and removable frame members urge the separation of the two when the locking mechanism releases them.

Abstract: A hood tilt control mechanism includes a hood support brakcet having one hinge leaf attached to the chassis including a longitudinally extending slot for slidably receiving one end of a telescoping hood tilt assist mechanism and a second hinge leaf attached to the hood and providing a pivotal mount for the other end of the assist mechanism. The assist mechanism telescopes or extends respectively against the bias of opening or closing springs disposed adjacently on the assist mechanism so that when the hood is closed, the closing spring exerts a counterbalancing force on the hood to assist its opening. As the hood opens the closing spring force goes to zero and, as the hood moves to the open position, the opening spring is engaged by the mechanism to dampen the motion of the hood, ultimately stops the hood by interference of the spring coils, and counterbalances the hood weight in the open position to assist closing.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is provided for a jail cell door. The door is suspended from a trolley and is slidable, on a fixed rail, between fully open and closed positions. Means are provided for releasably locking the door in either of those positions. Stop means at opposite ends of the rail respectively limit movement of the trolley to the closed and fully open positions. Each stop means includes a compression spring which absorbs shock forces when the door is displaced to its extreme positions. The spring means also provide a force for displacing the door from its closed or fully open positions upon release of the means locking the door in either of these positions.

Abstract: A releasable mount for window grilles and the like. A wall-mounted portion is attached to a wall near the window and includes a fixed housing with a latch member having an opening therethrough and a trigger pin mounted for movement from a cocked, extended position to a release position. A grille-mounted portion is rigidly attached to the grille and includes a latch pin having a cavity with a catch assembly inserted into the fixed housing and partly through the opening in the latch member. The catch assembly expands to a catch position upon contact of the latch pin with the trigger pin. Then the catch assembly catches on the latch member and prevents the latch pin from being withdrawn from the fixed housing. The trigger pin remains biased in the cocked position, and keeps the catch assembly in its expanded position. However, when the trigger pin is moved to the release position, the catch assembly may retract and enable the latch pin to be withdrawn and separate from the fixed housing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a window specially designed for emergency use. The window comprises a fixed outer frame (1) and a sash (2) mounted for normal horizontal pivoting movement between open and closed positions about axis Y--Y. Two arms (3) extend in the respective side rebates between the frame (1) and sash (2), and opposed horizontal pivots (6) are secured to the sash (2) and the arms (3) for such normal pivoting movement of the sash (2). Each arm (3) is connected to the top (1a) of the frame (1) by a hinge (4) and each arm is acted on by a respective telescopic gas spring (5) confined within the rebate but acting on the associated arm (3) to urge it outwardly of the frame (1). For normal opening and closing movement of the sash (2) for which a casement fastener (7) is fitted, the arms (3) are retained secured to the frame (1) by a catch arrangement that is operable manually by a control handle (8) separate to the fastener (7).

Abstract: A skylight, having a wing actuated by pneumatic springs, can be moved to an emergency opening position thereby substantially exposing the opening area of the skylight case. The skylight also acts as a residential ceiling or attic skylight which has, in the normal open position, a considerably smaller opening than in the emergency open position. A locking device is provided to restrict the long extension stroke of the piston rod of the pneumatic springs to a partial stroke. This partial stroke allows an opening which essentially corresponds to the standard opening of the wing in a residential skylight. The locking device, located on the cylinder of the pneumatic spring, includes a specially designed latch which, in order to effect partial stroke restriction of the piston rod, lockingly engages a stop located on the side of the case by means of a catch pin.

Abstract: Weight compensation for hinged doors, hatches, gates, or the like, which swing up and down on an upper horizontal hinge axis, comprises a torsion rod extending parallel to the hinge axis and having hollow shafts or bushings at its respective ends, one of the bushings is connected through a lever and a continuously length adjustable rod to the frame and on one side of said door, hatch, or gate, the other bushing is mounted to a lever, and a continuously adjustable tensioning screw fastens that lever to the door, hatch, or gate, and at the other side thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle accessory assembly is disclosed for mounting on an interior panel, such as on a visor, for example, and includes an accessory device, such as a vanity mirror assembly, interconnected with the visor or other vehicle panel at a generally fixed location thereon. A preferred top-hinged accessory door is pivotally interconnected with the visor or other interior panel for selective pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a closed position wherein the accessory device is substantially covered and an open position wherein the accessory device is substantially exposed. A resilient biasing device is provided for resiliently biasing the accessory door toward the open position, and an overrideable latch apparatus is adapted for retaining the accessory door in the closed position.

Abstract: This invention concerns a traction device such as a door closure made from memory alloy. In the preferred form the traction device comprises an elongated length of memory alloy, heating means operable to heat the element to restore it to its original shape, relatively movable parts attached to respective ends of the element, one of which is connected to a load which is to be displaced in the direction of traction when the element is heated, and a spring which yields resiliently to allow the load to move in the direction opposite to that in which traction is exerted if the element is hot.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a lid is disclosed, which includes a rotary damper and an auxiliary rotary damper. An input gear of the rotary damper is in mesh with an output gear of a lid. An input gear of the auxiliary rotary damper is in mesh with the output gear of the lid or the input gear of the rotary damper. Thus, the lid can be sufficiently braked during the opening and closing operations.

Abstract: A security door comprises first and second vertical door jambs spaced from one another to define a doorway therebetween, and a door for closing the doorway. The second door jamb has a generally channel-shaped recess therein extending generally vertically from adjacent the bottom of the jamb to adjacent the top of the jamb. The security door includes a hinge on the first door jamb for supporting the door adjacent one vertical edge of the door, constituting its inner edge. The hinge enables the door to swing on a generally vertical axis between an open position wherein the door is swung out of the doorway and a closed position wherein the door closes the doorway and the opposite vertical edge of the door, constituting its outer edge, is spaced inwardly from the recess in the second door jamb.

Abstract: A simple, compact counterweight mechanism for a lid for a sub-surface container. A straight rigid beam extends from front to rear within the container. Front portions of the beam are connected to the overlying lid, middle portions of the beam are pivotally connected to the container and rear portions of the beam are pivotally connected to a pair of rearwardly extending control arms, which are pivotally connected at their rear to a depending counterweight.

Abstract: An improved security window cover is provided having a peripheral frame structure and a security shielding door or cover hingedly attached to the frame. The frame has at least two walls intended to conform to the interior building wall adjacent the window and at least two other walls intended to ultimately conform to the shape, contour and dimensions of the inner circumferential edge of the wall opening in which the window is installed. The inner circumferential walls of the frame have a degree of flexibility, thereby allowing the installer to quickly and easily bend or shape the inner circumferential wall to conform to the inner circumferential edge of the wall opening in which the window is installed.The shielding door may have a ridge medial and parallel to the edges of the door and on the side thereof facing the outside of the building.

Abstract: A flame deflecting device that comprises a fire resistant lamina and a protective casing mountable on a building exterior in rows above windows. Each device has a width greater than the window below. When mounted on a building, the device does not extend vertically by more than three feet (0.9 m). When activated on the occurrence of fire, the flame resistant lamina is released and extended substantially horizontally from the building exterior, thereby deflecting flames, smoke and hot gases escaping from below.

Abstract: In combination with a building door, there is provided a key safe for a door key comprising an open ended housing secured within and projecting through the door. A safe door is hinged to and closes one end of the housing and has a retractable latch bar engageable with the building door to lock the safe door. A combination lock on the safe door includes a normally open printed circuit connected to a power source. A solenoid is connected to the circuit and includes a plunger connected to the latch bar. A tamper proof key tray is nested within the housing and normally spring biased for ejection inwardly of the building door. A first detent assembly is interposed between the safe door and tray so that any forceful opening of the safe door disengages the detent assembly.

Abstract: A rotation damper comprises a base member, a gear wheel rotatably mounted on the base member via a damper, a spiral spring having one end attached to a cap member and the other end attached to the gear wheel and adapted to be wound up with the rotation of the gear wheel, and a locking member for locking the spiral spring in or releasing it from the wound-up state. When the gear wheel is rotated to the neighborhood of a limit position against the spring force of the spiral spring, the spiral spring is locked in the wound-up state. The spiral spring is released from the wound-up state by further rotating the gear wheel. The rotation damper is applicable to a cassette holder of a cassette tape recorder, for instance, and permits the holder to be opened and closed under braking force while eliminating the need for a separate holder locking mechanism.

Abstract: A fireplace screen assembly arrangement is disclosed which includes a frame assembly upon which glass doors and a pair of mesh doors are mounted for slideable lateral movement between closed and open positions with respect to an associated frame assembly and fireplace. The mesh doors are latched in a closed position, and automatically move to lateral full open positions under the influence of a weight and chain mechanism. When the mesh doors are moved to a closed position of rest, a door and frame latching mechanism engages to hold them in that position. In that position, they are ready to open fully when an operator knob is moved to release the latching mechanism. In this manner, convenient use of the fireplace is enhanced, with the mesh door-opening mechanism permitting a user to easily open the mesh doors for gaining access to the fireplace area.

Abstract: An improved security window cover having a peripheral frame structure and a security shielding door or cover hingedly attached to the frame. The frame has walls which conform to the interior building wall adjacent the window and walls which conform to the shape, contour and dimensions of the inner circumferential edge of the wall opening in which the window is installed. The inner circumferential walls of the frame have partial rigid joints joining them to one another which create a degree of flexibility for fit and installation. The shielding door preferably has a lip or ridge on the outside which is medial and parallel to the edges of the door which serves to strengthen the door, protect the frame installation means and act as a guide and support for insulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimney flue cap for a fireplace which can easily be installed on the top of new or existing chimney flues. The cap comprises a generally planar sheet of metal designed to fit over the opening in the top of the flue. The cap is mounted to the flue by a hinge means formed from two plates. The first plate is mounted on the cap with a portion extending past an edge thereof. The extending portion is divided into three parts, the outer two of which are bent downward to form a portion of the hinge. The center flange is bent upward and is connected to a spring which urges the cap towards the open position. A second plate is mounted on the side of the flue and has three outwardly projecting tabs. Two tabs are connected to the downwardly depending flanges to form the hinge and the third tab serves as an anchor for the spring which opens the cap.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly of the type for transmitting motion in a curved path to open from a remote location at least one vent door which is held in a closed position by latches which engage the door, the assembly including core elements for transmitting linear motion along a curved path and an actuator for actuating the linear motion of the core elements. Conduits guide the path of the core elements. The core elements include a portion extending from the conduits and adapted to be operatively connected to the latches of the vent door whereby operation of the actuator actuates linear motion of the core elements to disengage the latches from the vent door.

Abstract: A five sided steel box with a honeycomb member therein formed by corrugated sheets and defining a plurality of hexagonal elongate recesses. Spacers on the outer faces of the walls of the box have tie bars secured transversely thereto and the ends of the bars are welded to protective hoops. A door closes and seals the box and comprises a framework, a panel mounted on the framework by means of clamping screws or parallelogram linkage and coil springs, and a seal between the panel and the open side of the box. The framework is preferably hinged to protective hoops of the box at one side and provided with a latch arrangement at the other.

Abstract: A first gear is fixedly connected to the rotary shaft of a swingably mounted lid, and is engaged with a second gear which is rotatably mounted on a stationary member. The second gear is biased by means of a spring in such a direction that the lid tends to swing open, while a ratchet portion having a recess is provided at a peripheral portion thereof. A pawl is arranged to engage with the recess to stop the rotation of the second gear, and is arranged to disengage with the recess to release the second gear when intended to open the lid. A brake member is interposed between the stationary member and the second gear to prevent the lid from rapid opening. The pawl may be manually disengaged from the recess by depressing a push-button operatively connected thereto. Such a push-button may be omitted if the shape of the recess is arranged to easily disengage from the pawl when the lid is pulled manually.

Abstract: An ashtray device comprises an ashtray unit, a housing for accommodating the ashtray unit, energizing means disposed within the housing for energizing the ashtray unit in the direction of being opened, retaining means for keeping the ashtray unit in a closed state, and means for releasing the retaining means from the outside. By building the ashtray device into the dashboard of an automobile, for example, a driver is relieved of special care and allowed to devote all his attention to the operation of his automobile even during the use of the ashtray unit.

Abstract: A balancing device consists of at least one balancer, for example a pneumatic jack, one end of which is connected to the deck lid by a swivel joint and whose other end is hinged to the vehicle body. The balancer is hinged to the vehicle body through a bent return lever consisting of two unequal arms and is attached at its bend to the vehicle body about an axis parallel to the hinge axis of the hatchback. The end of the arm oriented toward the axis forms a hinge for the said other end of the balancer while the end of the other arm of the bent lever is in contact with the concave cam surface of a cam attached to the deck lid.

Abstract: A fire activated device which closes off a wall opening through which a plastic pipe or other fusible member extends. The device includes a back plate which is mounted to the wall with an opening in the plate in alignment with the wall opening which receives the pipe. A spring loaded cutting blade is normally held away from the pipe by a fuse plug which melts in the event of a fire. The blade is then released and cuts through the pipe under the influence of the springs. A stop plate holds the blade in position to cover the opening to prevent fire from passing through it to the adjoining room. The springs are shielded from the heat by telescoping tubes which contain them.

Abstract: In a window assembly including a panel mounted for pivotal movement relative to a casing in a roof sheathing, a moving rib attached to the panel and a guide rib operatively connected to the moving rib, actuating means for automatically pivoting the panel from a closed position overlying the casing to an open position disposed at a predetermined angle to the casing comprising a preloaded spring member, at least one actuating lever connected to said spring member, said actuating lever pivotally connected at its ends to the casing and guide rib and operable upon release of the panel from a closed position to effect pivotal movement of the panel to a predetermined angular position relative to the casing for a given linear displacement of said spring member and adjusting means for selectively varying the angular displacement of said panel by said actuating means.

Abstract: The specification discloses a prefabricated partition arrangement for fitting rooms and the like, comprising a pair of parallel, laterally spaced side panels having rearward edges thereof fastened to an interior wall of a building by a first pair of channels. A front panel with a door therein extends between the forward edges of the side panels and is connected therewith by a second pair of channels, thereby forming a sturdy, postless partition assembly.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism for an overhead baggage compartment which is generally located in the passenger section of an airliner. The hinge mechanism comprises, a dual-cam guided four-bar linkage mechanism which produces a compound motion to the door for retraction through a relatively narrow horizontal opening into an area above the baggage compartment. Ordinarily, a four-bar linkage mechanism would have its operation designed around two fixed pivot points; however, in this disclosure there is only one fixed pivot point and the other of said pivots is a walking pivot which is guided by a dual-cam device for profiling the travel of the door.

Abstract: A door is mounted to hinge about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position. A torsion bar is mounted in pretensioned manner to bias the door from the closed position to the open position and to hold the door in the open position in a tensioned manner. The vehicle body is made of molded reinforced plastic while the hinges and mounting plates are metal.

Abstract: An emergency air vent structure actuated by smoke, gas or oxygen deficiency sensors to permit the influx of fresh air to an enclosure. The emergency air vent structure is characterized by a spring-actuated panel which is released by means of a rocker arm and latch actuated by a solenoid which solenoid is operated by any one of a number of detectors such as smoke, gas or oxygen deficiency. Upon opening of the panel, an alarm is sounded giving an audible warning of the unsafe conditions within the building.

Abstract: Door holder is adapted to work with conventional door closer. Holder comprises a shoe moving along a track and connected to the closer operating arm. A latch, when device is activated, holds shoe with door in open condition. Latch is attached to a frame near the track and which may be moved away from latching engagement with shoe either by forcible closing of the door manually or by de-activating closer.

Abstract: A pair of doors hinged to a frame and including a self-locking three-point latch and coordinated closing system.

Abstract: Guard apparatus for a window or the like in a building characterized by a guard element that is hingedly mounted to a wall adjacent the window and adapted to prevent entry into the window from the exterior and having a releasable fastener that is releasable interiorly of the building without tools to allow emergency egress through the window but resists force exteriorly of the building. The releasable fastener has a lock housing that is inaccessible from outside the building when the lock bar on the guard element is inserted into its normal latched position. Also disclosed are specific structural details and preferred embodiments of the releasable fastener.

Abstract: A safety vent preferably for use in a high rise building for permitting the escape of smoke and fumes and comprising a fixed frame accommodated by an opening in the building, a movable frame pivotally secured to the fixed frame and means for biasing the movable frame to an open position. In the preferred embodiment the movable frame includes panel means and pivots at its lower end. A latch mechanism maintains the movable frame in a closed position while a release mechanism, operated either electrically or pneumatically, can be energized to permit opening of the vent. Limiting means in the form of shock absorbers or snubbers interconnect between frames for limiting the open position of the vent.

Abstract: An articulated hinge having a movable pivot axis cooperates with an energy storage device for automatically opening and securing an unlatched compartment door in a first open position. Primary and secondary linking members are rotatively mounted to a support structure adjacent the interior of the compartment door opening, and are also rotatively mounted on a hinge base member. The hinge base member forms a pivot axis about which the compartment door is mounted for rotation. A coupling member is associated with the compartment door and the primary and secondary linking members. When the compartment door is rotated, the coupling member causes the primary and secondary linking members to rotate about their attachment points to the support structure and thereby causes the pivot axis of the compartment door to move along a predetermined path.

Abstract: A pair of doors hinged to a frame and including a self-locking three-point latch and coordinated closing system.

Abstract: A latch for releasably holding two members together. The latch includes a stud adapted to be mounted in fixed position on one of the members and a receptacle adapted to be mounted in fixed position on the other of the members and located to engage with the stud when the members are brought together. A coupling on the stud and receptacle automatically couples and holds the two members together. A release on the stud and receptacle which is exposed for actuation acts to uncouple the latch and permit the members to be separated. The coupling includes at least one flanged finger on the stud resiliently displaceable and a fixed rim on the receptacle so that when the stud and receptacle are engaged the flanged finger will displace and engage the rim to close the latch. The release includes a surface to direct the resilient finger away from engagement with the rim and release the latch when the release is actuated.

Abstract: Automatically actuable silo door apparatus and a silo equipped with same. The apparatus preferably comprises a door member adapted to selectively block a silage discharge orifice, a hinge assembly for mounting the door, retractable gun means for automatically activating the door apparatus, and trigger apparatus responsive to silage level for selectively activating the gun means to open the door. In a preferred form of the invention each trigger means comprises a portion received within an upper adjacent silo door orifice whereby an automatic silo unloader will contact and activate it during the unloading operation. The hinge means preferably comprises first and second spaced apart door hinge bars, each having portions pivotally mounted to the door member and integral offset portions thereof pivotally received by the silo. The hinge means enables the door member to be moved out of and away from the silo door orifice when opened to prevent interference with the unloader.

Abstract: A releasable door hold-open device or assembly is mounted on the header over a door panel. The assembly has a track channel with a top web and depending flanges. A door panel connector arm has a traveller movable in the track channel. A solenoid operates a detent in the track channel near the hinge end of the traveller path. A conductor channel is fastened to the top web and communicates with the track channel through an opening. A connector block releasably adjoins the track channel and the conductor channel at the hinge end thereof. A smoke detector underlies the connector channel at the other end of the track channel. Conductors from outside extend through the connector block, through connecting plugs in the block and track channel and to the solenoid and through the conductor channel to the smoke detector.

Abstract: Garage door assemblies having a frame for receiving a door mounted for over head swinging movement and a spring element as an energy storing member which compensates for at least a part of the weight of the door. For the transfer of the force of the spring element to the door, there is provided a lever system including a lever capable of pivoting between a first position in which the spring force has a low leverage and a second position in which the spring force has an increased leverage sufficient to provide a turning moment capable of swinging the door. The lever is retained in its first position by a releasable locking device.