Abstract: A pivotal gate latch (1), including housing (2), in which a pivotal sleeve (8) and gate post embracing plates (9 and 10) are disposed for pivotal movement. A latching flange (11) is arranged within the housing that engages with an upper disposed detent or shoulder (21) formed in the pivotal sleeve, to secure the gate frame (P) in place and sustain it in a locked condition. Vertical displacement of the latching flange, either manually or through remote cables, permits horizontal pivoting the latch plates in either direction, after which time, if the gate is biased by associated springs or cables, the gate may be self-centering, and locked automatically by the return of the latching flange to the rest position within the shoulder.

Abstract: By providing an automatically displayed, easily seen, positive visual indicator on a combination lock each time the combination lock is placed in its combination set or re-set position, a unique, easily used, enhanced combination lock is realized. Preferably, the visual indicator is automatically displayed upon entry of the lock into its combination setting or resetting position, thereby providing the user with a positive, readily seen, visual display clearly informing the user that the combination sequence may be altered. Furthermore, the lock construction of the present invention is constructed with the interior chambers thereof virtually sealed from ambient surroundings, thereby preventing unwanted contamination from entering the interior of the lock and the rotating components thereof. In this way, degradation by contamination is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: A system 10 for remote operation of a deadbolt lock locks or unlocks a deadbolt 22 associated with a door 14 with a remotely-operated actuator 28 that is operationally coupled to deadbolt 22. The system 10 can convert an existing manually operated deadbolt 22 into a remotely operated deadbolt by replacing an existing turnpiece associated with the manually operated deadbolt with a remotely operated actuator 28. Alternatively, the system 10 can lock door 14 of building 12 by mounting system 10 on or in either door 14 or building 12. System 10 can cooperate with other security systems in the building, including a siren 34 or a window sensor 46.

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: An electrically operable tubular lock assembly includes a support to be mounted on an inner side of a door, a hollow cylinder having an outer end mounted on the support and an inner end extending inwardly from the support, a spindle extending axially inside the hollow cylinder and connected to the hollow cylinder for simultaneous rotation therewith, a rotary handle body connected to the inner end of the hollow cylinder, a driving wheel mounted on the support around the hollow cylinder and having a first gear part adjacent to the support and a second gear part adjacent to the handle body, an electric motor mounted on the support adjacent to and externally of the driving wheel, a first transmission mechanism mounted on the support and connected to the first gear part and the motor, and a second transmission mechanism mounted inside the handle body and connected to the second gear part and the spindle.

Abstract: A latch device, which is especially adapted for an exit bar, incorporates a trigger assembly. When the latch device is retracted and released, as ordinarily occurs when the door is opened, the latch bolt is biased to an intermediate extended position. The trigger engages the rim of the strike plate which in turn releases a retainer arm and allows the latch bolt to project to an extended position within the strike thereby providing a latch function of high integrity.

Abstract: A locking ring includes two semi-annular ring portions with a U-shaped cross section. The locking ring serves to retain an electric meter in its meter socket in a manner which is well known. Both ends of each ring portion terminate in housings, each housing having an axial lock receiving aperture therethrough. When the ring halves are brought together to form a complete circle, the clockwise-most and counter-clockwise-most housings slide over each other until their lock receiving apertures are in axial alignment. A barrel lock can then be inserted into each of the two sets of aligned apertures, to secure the locking ring against opening. When a barrel lock is removed from either set of apertures, the ring can be opened at that location and removed from the meter.

Abstract: A kit for retrofitting a door with a remotely controllable locking mechanism having a combination key-operated deadbolt lock and door knob latching lock for a door. A housing for the operating parts is insertable in a mortised pocket or cavity in the latch edge of the door or it may be attached to the exterior surface of the interior well of the door. The electronics to operate the mechanism sends a signal to a receiver installable in the wall near the locks. Power is supplied to solenoids to simultaneously activate the locking and unlocking mechanisms of the deadbolt and the door knob latching lock when the kit is assembled in the door. Manual key overrides are provided for the deadbolt and for the latch.

Abstract: By providing a separate and independent release assembly having independent activation means for controlling the release or opening of a combination lock, an effective, easily produced, combination lock is achieved. The combination lock of the present invention virtually eliminates the ability of unauthorized persons from opening the lock, using known picking techniques, while also being constructed with the interior chambers thereof virtually sealed from ambient surroundings, preventing unwanted contamination from entering the interior of the lock and the rotating components thereof. In addition, a minimum number of components are employed in combination with a housing and a movable shackle which is completely controlled by a separate and independent shackle release assembly having an independent activation member. In this way, the unique combination padlock construction of this invention is achieved.

Abstract: A security pouch for carrying confidential documents or other valuables from a sending to a remote receiving station, the pouch being adapted to inform its receiver whether at some point in the course of transit, the pouch had been intercepted and opened and then reclosed. The pouch is provided with closure means, a locking mechanism which when locked engages the closure means and secures the documents within the pouch, and an electronic module operatively coupled to this mechanism. The electronic module includes a random number generator, an elapsed time measuring unit and an LCD display to present the number and the elapsed time. When at the sending station, the sender locks the pouch containing the documents, this action triggers the generator to produce and display a random number. And it also resets the elapsed time unit which then proceeds to count time.

Abstract: An adjustable lock latch is composed of a main body, two fastening plates, two rotary wheels, and a handle. The main body has two action rods provided with a projection. The fastening plates are provided with a first position confining hole and a second position confining hole. The rotary wheels are provided with a through hole and a moving block engageable with the projection of the action rods of the main body. The handle is engageable with the through hole of the rotary wheels and with the first position confining hole or the second position confining hole of the fastening plates, so as to actuate the moving block of the rotary wheels.

Abstract: The present invention provides new door lock combination chambers for use with door locks, particularly pushbutton door locks. The combination chamber includes rotary keys which are actuated by pressing pushbuttons when entering an unlocking code into the combination chamber. The rotary keys rotate and engage idler gears which are engaged with a timing gear and code gears. The code gears have pockets which become aligned with an unlocking slide when the proper unlocking combination is entered into the combination chamber. The unlocking slide can be slide into the pockets on the code gears, and thus allow a corresponding locking mechanism retract a latch bolt in a door.

Abstract: A long shackle padlock includes a cylindrical housing, a lock housing fitted in the cylindrical housing, a locking means protected in the lock housing, and a shackle. The locking means can move a first bead and a second bead with a coil spring interposed between, for locking and unlocking, with the second bead fitting in a bead hole of the foot of the shackle in locking, and with the first bead pushed and moved inward by the locking means to let the second bead move inward to disengage from the bead hole of the foot of the shackle in unlocking. The locking means and the lock housing can be applied to other kinds of locks such as common padlocks, U-shaped locks, wire locks, etc.

Abstract: A pair of restraints, preferably in the form of handcuffs, are separately connected to a housing assembly by way of elongated cables. The cables are attached at their other ends to a rotatable spool sturdily housed within a box ratchet assembly. Each restraint is first separately applied to a resisting arrestee's wrists. The cables are then reeled into the spool member with a ratcheting motion, enabling a law enforcement official to maintain a controlled joinder of the handcuffs and the arrestee's wrists.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a permanent magnet with a high coercive force and a permanent pole-reversible magnet with a low coercive force used in securing members in cooperation with wedging members. The apparatus also includes a release device, with a securing member inserted, and a combined control and feed device and a verification device, in the form of a till. The entire release device can therefore be, for example, directly linked to invoicing for a paid sum. The control and feed device controls and feeds the electromagnet coil of the magnetizing device. To release a securing member, the magnetizing device is activated, thereby reversing the poles of the permanent pole-reversible magnet. Both permanent magnets in the securing member subsequently repel, the wedge is released and the pin can be withdrawn from the locking section.

Abstract: A steel wire (1) when pushed or pulled will release an emergency bar (2) with a saw blade (3) to untie whatever is bound. A steel bar (4) with a handle (5) that is attached to the detent lever (6), which will release the latch (7) to open the catch (8) in a straight line.

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 door latch actuator operates a latch bolt assembly of a door. The door latch actuator employs a spring latch plunger and a dead latch plunger mounted in a housing that has a latch cavity sized to receive the spring latch bolt and the dead latch bolt pin. The spring latch plunger engages and retracts under the pressure of the spring latch bolt, and the dead latch plunger engages the dead latch bolt pin. A drive operates the plungers to first withdraw the dead latch plunger to allow the dead latch bolt pin to move to an enabling position for the spring latch bolt. Next, the drive advances the spring latch plunger and thereby the spring latch bolt in moved to a release position and the door may be opened. The drive is preferably a rotary drive using a motor driven crank and pin system. Sensors are provided to detect the position of the system. The method of the invention encompasses the operative steps of this door latch actuator, and the method can include timing steps.

Abstract: The opening of a sliding shackle permits removal of a stack of individual dial type tumbler rings each may possess a number of individual peripherally disposed indicia plates which are removable from each tumbler ring so removed from the body of the padlock. Each tumbler is keyed to permit opening of the lugged shackle in only one rotational orientation of each tumbler. The indicia plates may be interchanged either with others already on that tumbler, another tumbler, or with other indicia plates altogether. Alphabetic as opposed to numeric indicia are suggested, either fixed directly to the tumbler rings or upon separate indicia plates, of which a large supply may be provided together with the padlock so that a large number of letter combinations are available for the padlock opening combination code which may be set by the owner to a desired code word.

Abstract: A lock including a lock housing, a lock bolt rotatably mounted in the lock housing, an undulating end on the lock housing, a torque plate mounted on the lock bolt for rotation therewith, an undulating face on the torque plate, and a spring mounted on the lock bolt and biasing the torque plate into engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing with the undulating face of the torque plate in meshing engagement with the undulating end of the lock housing. A bracket is mounted on the lock housing, first wings on the bracket, and a key having second wings for engagement with the first wings when the lock is in an unlocked condition.