Abstract: An electronic lock incorporating one or more shape memory metal wire segment as its electromechanical transducer. An electronic control circuit injects electrical current into the shape memory metal wire, causing it to heat up and contract. A gate is positioned by the action of the shape memory metal wire(s) to either allow or block the movement of a locking bolt that affect locking or unlocking. Millions of operational cycles are achieved by limiting the stretching of the shape memory metal wire at low temperature to small percentages of its total length. The design lends itself to miniaturization, with commensurate reduction in power consumption, that is useful to the evolution of future electronic locks.

Abstract: A locking system for a door of an enclosure has a handle, lock, and locking bolts mounted to the door, door jams mounted to the enclosure, dead bolts coupled to the locking bolts, and a blocking bolt coupled to the lock. When door is closed and handle is closed, then locking bolts are moved to locked position, such that door jams block path of locking bolts and thereby prevent door from being opened. When lock is unlocked, dead bolts can move toward each other allowing door to be opened. However, when lock is locked, door cannot be opened because blocking bolt, between dead bolts, prevents dead bolts from moving toward each other.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention features a door stop. In some embodiments, the door stop can be used to lock doors open. The door stop can include a base having first and second contact surfaces. The base can be positionable in an open position. In the open position, the first contact surface can contact a door jamb, a first hinge plate, or both. In the open position, the second contact surface can contact a hinged edge of a door, a second hinge plate, or both. The base can include a third contact surface. The third contact surface can be configured to contact a frame stop when the base is positioned in the open position. The third contact surface can be generally perpendicular to the first contact surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns an adjustable striker assembly for use with a closure for a vehicle compartment, and a method of forming such a striker assembly. A striker has a shaft with a hoop extending from one end, and engagement rings extending around the shaft, defining at least one gap between the engagement rings, and being canted relative to an axial direction of the shaft. The engagement rings may include a detent or a catch. The assembly also includes a bracket, which may be molded around the striker, that includes partial threads extending into at least one of the gaps, and flexing fingers that may operatively engage the detents or catches on the engagement rings.

Abstract: A striker assembly of a vehicle is mounted with a coil part of a torsion spring at one column of the striker, thereby forming a simple and compact appearance of the striker, exerting a pop-up function within the simple structure, and enabling to reduce the weight, raw material and improve the appearance of the trunk room.

Abstract: A latch assembly having a keyless toggle lock capability and capable of being unlocked by either a low level security key or a master key. When a user rotates the front handle or rear handle the actuator of the latch assembly provides for sliding movement of a sliding element so as to provide for actuation of a latching means.

Abstract: A simplified oven door lock reduces the number of components subjected to fatigue from repeated tensile movement. The oven door lock includes a mounting plate, an actuator having an output shaft and the actuator being coupled to the mounting plate, a cam having a mounting hub at its center and an offset hub displaced from the mounting hub, the mounting hub of the cam being coupled to the output shaft actuator so the actuator rotates the cam with respect to the mounting plate, a lock pin extending upwardly at a first position from the mounting plate, an unlock pin extending upwardly at a second position from the mounting plate, a latch mounted to the offset hub of the cam so the latch extends between the lock pin and the unlock pin so that opposing sides of the latch plate slide against the lock pin and the unlock pin as the latch moves in response to the actuator rotating the cam.

Abstract: A door lock mechanism includes a rotatable spindle, an invertable tubular adapter, a doorknob and an interchangeable lock core. The rotatable spindle has a first longitudinal assembling slot, a second longitudinal assembling slot and a pair of retaining notches. The invertable tubular adapter has a third longitudinal assembling slot, at least one positioning protrusion and an upraised engaging block. During assembly, the third longitudinal assembling slot of the invertable tubular adapter and one of the first longitudinal assembling slot and the second longitudinal assembling slot of the rotatable spindle are aligned to receive the interchangeable lock core. The upraised engaging block is engaged with one of the first longitudinal assembling slot and the second longitudinal assembling slot of the rotatable spindle. The positioning protrusion is positioned in one of the retaining notches of the rotatable spindle to prevent any radial movement of the invertable tubular adapter in the rotatable spindle.

Abstract: A combination lock includes: a base mounted securely on a suitcase; a case locking mechanism mounted on the base and operable to move between locking and releasing positions; a dial lock mounted on the case locking mechanism, including a lock controlling member, and operable between locking and releasing states through operation of the lock controlling member; and a key-operated unlocking unit mounted on the case locking mechanism, including a core, and operable in a manner that the case locking mechanism is permitted to move from the locking position to the releasing position when the core is moved from a first angular position to a second angular position.

Abstract: A steering lock that is easy to assemble but difficult for an automobile thief to dismantle. The steering lock includes a cover on which a support structure for supporting a lock mechanism is integrally formed. The lock mechanism is attached to the cover to assemble a first subunit. A steering lock ECU is attached to an ECU case to assemble a second subunit. The first subunit is attached to the second subunit to assemble a lock unit. The lock unit is attached to the housing. A bolt fastens the lock unit and the housing to each other. A second connector is then attached to the housing.

Abstract: A safe electromagnetic lock including a first bolt provided with an elastic fastener, an elastic slide bolt positioned on an end of the first bolt, an electromagnetic device connected to a computer and a second bolt. The computer controls induction of the elastic fastener by the electromagnetic device, and a key inserted into a first keyhole, or another key inserted into a second keyhole, controls sliding movement of the elastic slide block to push against the elastic fastener, thereby releasing an abutting state and effecting unhindered unlocking of the safe electromagnetic lock. Upon unlocking, a front end of the second bolt extends out from a case, and protruding mount of the second bolt is used to press down on a steel ball, thereby enabling the second bolt to achieve a solid fixation and effectively preventing mistakenly locking and avoiding forgetting to lock the safe electromagnetic lock.

Abstract: The padlock housing assembly includes a padlock housing having monolithically formed walls for cradling an existing padlock therein. A top one of the walls is provided with an annular aperture for receiving a U-shaped shank of an existing padlock therethrough. The shank maintains a static relationship with the padlock housing when the shank is passed through the aperture and engaged with the existing padlock to a closed position. An audio mechanism is included for playing an audio file when the shank is biased to an open position and is housed within the cavity. At least one LED is also provided for emitting a predetermined luminescence when the shaft is biased to the open position. A trigger mechanism transmits a power input signal to the audio mechanism when the shank is biased to the open position. The triggering mechanism is operably engaged with the shank.

Abstract: A low-cost combination tilt-lock-latch mechanism for a sliding window that combines ease of installation and adjustment with simplicity of use. The mechanism includes at least one tilt-latch mechanism adapted for mounting in the window sash. The tilt-latch mechanism includes a housing and a plunger having a latch bolt portion retractable within the housing. A plunger latch member automatically latches the plunger in a retracted position to enable tilting of the sash. Further, the mechanism may include an actuator mechanism and a flexible linking member. The tilt-latch may include a locking member adjustable from outside the housing of the tilt latch, to lock the flexible linking member to the plunger, thereby operably coupling the actuator mechanism with the tilt-latch.

Abstract: A latching system and method are provided for facilitating an easier and/or smoother latching of a locking mechanism, such as a latching and catching mechanism for use with the closing of doors. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary latching system comprises a catch device and a latch handle configured for maintaining closure of a door. To reduce or prevent any undesirable “kick-back” of the latch handle during closure of the door, the catch device can comprise a catch spring mechanism configured to facilitate engagement with the latch handle. To provide for a substantially even balance against the catch device and/or to provide for a substantially even pressure against a door gasket, the latch handle can comprise a latch spring mechanism configured to allow engagement of the latch handle to the catch device as well as facilitate engagement of the door during closure.

Abstract: An improved sash lock and keeper for a sash window assembly is disclosed. The sash window includes an upper sash window and a lower sash window. Each of the sashes is mounted within opposed guide rails which permit at least one of the sashes to travel slidably therein. The sash lock includes an actuator for engaging a keeper. The keeper is mounted on a style of one of the sash windows. The actuator has an actuator arm and a cam. The cam has a cam surface for engaging a keeper surface. When the cam surface engages the keeper surface thereby locking the two sashes, a flag extends from the keeper to signal that the actuator is in locking engagement with the keeper.

Abstract: A key system (1) for a motor vehicle comprises transmitter electronics arranged inside a housing (2) and used for the contactless locking and/or unlocking of a door of the motor vehicle and/or operation of the motor vehicle. The system further comprises an emergency key (3) for mechanically locking and/or unlocking the door of the motor vehicle and/or for the operation of the motor vehicle. The emergency key is received inside the housing (2) in a substantially complete manner.

Abstract: A securing system and method including an article holder portion having at least two separable portions; a mount portion adapted for carrying at least one of the separable portions of the holder portion; and optionally at least one sensor for monitoring the article and providing an output signal indicative of article tampering.

Abstract: A handle of a vehicle door of the present invention includes a base, a cover, a grip, and an aligner. The base is mounted on an interior side of a door panel. The cover is assembled to the base through the door panel. The grip is assembled to the base through the door panel. The aligner is disposed on the grip adjacent to the cover, such that a gap between the cover and the grip is maintained as a first predetermined gap when the cover and the grip are assembled to the base.

Abstract: A door catch includes a back plate having two laterally symmetric sleeves formed on a front face thereof. An elastic check member is mounted in a rear end of each sleeve to replace a conventional screw to confine a steel ball and a spring in the sleeve, so that the spring normally pushes the steel ball forward to partially project from a front open end of the sleeve and the elastic check member backward to firmly close the rear end of the sleeve. The steel balls projected from the two sleeves of the back plate together firmly clamp between them a stop post correspondingly mounted on a movable door leaf.

Abstract: A combination lock includes a lock body, a locking latch, a numerical actuation unit including a plurality of number rotors and a plurality of locking rings, and a password reset unit. The password reset unit includes a reset driver slidably extended at the lock body to couple with the locking rings, wherein when the reset driver is moved to drive the locking rings to slidably disengage with number rotors, the number rotors are free to rotate on the lock body to reset a new number-combination, such that when the reset driver is released that the locking rings are slidably returned back within the number rotors, the detachable end of the locking latch is unlocked once the number rotors are rotated at the new number-combination.