Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing that defines a passage extending along an axis. A push button assembly has components movable in the passage including a forwardly-biased push button at the front of the housing that is movable along and turnable about the axis. Two independently movable operating elements at the rear of the housing move differently in response to depression of the push button when the push button is turned to different orientations about the axis. The rear operating elements may extend concentrically along the axis, and the unit may be lockable to permit and prevent some operating element movement. The operating elements may be used to selectively disengage, or to engage and move a variety of auxiliary devices situated behind the unit. The unit may provide enhanced resistance to defeat by hammering than has been offered by a known form of push button unit.

Abstract: A handle and housing assembly has a graspable handle turnable about a principal axis relative to a housing, structure extending from the handle along the principal axis through an opening defined by the housing, and a seal that turns with the handle and defines a thin annular skirt of resilient material extending about the principal axis and pressed substantially flatly into engagement with an annular portion of the housing extending substantially concentrically about the opening. In some embodiments, the structure includes a shaft that extends from the handle through a spacer that is encircled by the skirted seal; in some embodiments, an O-ring is interposed between the handle and the spacer; and, in some embodiments, a rear part of the spacer extends into the housing opening to facilitate smooth turning of the handle and the spacer about the principal axis.

Abstract: A vent apparatus (10) comprises a perforated screen (12), a door (18), a guide (24), and a handle (26), and a lever assembly (30). The door is adjacent a first face (13) of the screen and includes at least one arm (20, 22) that extends through at least one slot in the screen. The guide (24) is mounted adjacent a second face (14) of the screen. The handle (26) is in pivoting connection with the at least one arm and is operative to move relative to the guide to cause the door to move between a closed position (62) to an open position (64). A lever assembly (30) extends from the handle in pivoting connection with the guide. As the handle moves, the lever assembly is adapted to maintain the handle sufficiently close to the guide such that at least a portion of the handle is operative to slide along the guide.

Abstract: Locks for luggage, travelcases, briefcases and the like that can be operated by setting a combination or by using a key include an indicator to provide a signal in response to use of the key. The locks retain relatively movable components in latched engagement when locked, and permit relative movement of the components when unlocked. In some embodiments, the indicator provides a visual signal if an associated travelcase has been opened for inspection by unlocking the associated lock using a key; and, in some embodiments, the indicator can be reset upon entry of a proper combination.

Abstract: An electronic access control and recording system includes a lock, a card reader, a key card configured to communicate with the lock and with the card reader, a database, and an administrator microprocessor configured to provide a user interface and to communicate with the database and with the card reader. At least one of the lock and the card contain a microprocessor and a non-volatile memory storing encrypted information. In use, the key card provides access to the lock and transfers the encrypted information between the lock and the database via the card reader and the administrator microprocessor. The administrator microprocessor provides a user interface for reviewing and administering the database. The user interface also provides account and password qualification for users.

Abstract: A latch has a pair of oppositely acting latch bolts slidable on a housing that are engageable with latching formations on a strike. The housing has a pair of substantially parallel posts configured to shield portions of the latch bolts during insertion into and withdrawal from openings defined by the strike. A plug is turnable on the housing to slide the latch bolts toward and away from each other between latched and unlatched positions. In lockable embodiments of the latch, the plug may be provided with a keyway into which a key can be inserted and turned to move the latch bolts; and, in some embodiments, the latch bolts are retained in their latched positions when the key is removed.

Abstract: A handle and housing assembly includes a housing having front and rear sides. A handle is connected on the front side of the housing to a shaft that extends through the housing along a forwardly-rearwardly extending axis. The handle may turn the shaft about the axis to turn components connected to a rear portion of the shaft, and/or the handle may move shaft-connected components forwardly and rearwardly along the axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, the housing defines a forwardly facing recess, and the handle is nestable within and extendable from the recess. In some embodiments, the handle and housing are provided with padlockable formations that extend side by side when the handle is in its nested or retracted position.

Abstract: A handle, housing and cover assembly includes an relatively thick oval handle sandwiched between a relatively thin oval housing base and a relatively thin oval cover. The oval exteriors of these three relatively movable components are of substantially the same size and shape, and align when the cover is closed and when the handle is in its normal, non-operated position to provide a low profile stack of components that can nest comfortably within the palm of one's hand so the palmed cover can be moved by gentle hand pressure between closed and open positions, and so the handle can be pivoted by fingertip pressure between non-operated and operated positions. The cover, when open, provides access to a keyway into which a key can be inserted and turned to selectively prevent and permit turning of the handle relative to the housing base.

Abstract: A handle and housing assembly includes a housing having front and rear sides. A handle is connected on the front side of the housing to a shaft that extends through the housing along a forwardly-rearwardly extending axis. The handle may be used to turn the shaft, to turn components connected to a rear portion of the shaft, and/or to move shaft-connected components forwardly and rearwardly along the axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, the housing defines a forwardly facing recess, and the handle is nestable within and extendable from the recess. In some embodiments, the handle is nestable within the recess in a variety of orientations. In some embodiments, housing-defined stop formations limit the range through which a shaft-connected component is permitted to turn. In some embodiments, housing-defined formations guide movement of a lock bolt that may engage a shaft-connected component to retain the shaft, the handle and the shaft-connected component in one or a plurality of orientations.

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.

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.