Abstract: A padlock for luggage that can be operated by setting a combination or by inserting and turning a key is provided with an indicator that normally displays a first state when the lock being used in a normal way as a combination operated padlock, but which displays a second state if the padlock has been opened by utilizing a key.
Abstract: A ramp door suited to pivot about an axis that extends substantially horizontally along the bottom of a cargo compartment opening has features of lightweight construction that may be used separately or in combination with features of a frame assembly having an upright configured to extend substantially vertically along one side of the opening to provide an interior space that may be used to house components of a ramp door lift assist system and/or components of a ramp door latching system. In some embodiments, the extent to which a lift assist cable is exposed when the ramp door is open is minimized by connecting the cable to the ramp door, and by guiding the cable into the interior space of the upright, at locations relatively near to the pivot axis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 11, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 25, 2008
Assignee:
The Eastern Company
Inventors:
Richard E. Luehr, Ron W. Phillips, Peter T. Watson
Abstract: A panel-mountable push button actuator assembly for operating a latch or other apparatus having a link, trigger or other operating element that must move a short distance includes a housing having a front portion configured to be inserted through a panel opening from the rear side of the panel, and a generally annular retaining cap that is releasably connected to the front portion of the housing to hold the housing in the panel opening. The cap preferably is held in its installed position on the housing by a compressed foam rubber washer that provides a seal between the cap and the panel. Also disclosed are an O-ring seal that optionally may be interposed between a push button of the actuator assembly and the housing, and a rigidified cam that may be used with the present and other types of push button actuator assemblies to engage and move a link, trigger or other operating element in response to depression of the push button.
Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing which defines a through passage that extends along an axis of the housing, and a slot that extends in a plane which transversely intersects the axis and communicates with the passage for supporting in the housing-defined slot a disc-shaped member having a central opening that aligns with the passage. Movable in the aligned passage and opening is a push button sub-assembly of the unit which includes a front element that, when depressed rearwardly, may cause a rear element of the push button sub-assembly to extend rearwardly from the housing to release a latch or to operate a switch or the like. If the unit is to be lockable, an optional locking mechanism is added to the elements of the push button sub-assembly to selectively drivingly connect the front and rear elements so that depression of the front element will cause rearward extension of the rear element only when the unit is unlocked.