Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the opening of a chamber door of a sterilizer or an autoclave. The apparatus is used on sterilizer and autoclave door systems wherein the door is slidably attached to the chamber. However, the present invention may also be used to control other doors. The apparatus includes a cylinder and piston in fluid communication with the chamber which is actuated when the pressure within the chamber is above a threshold level. A cam, pivotally attached to the side guide bar of the sterilizer, cooperates with the piston to prevent movement of the cam with the piston in the extended position but to allow movement when the piston is retracted. A pin, mounted to the door, cooperates wiht the cam such that the pin must slide along the lobe surface of the cam in order for the door to open. When the piston is in the extended position, the cam cannot move and the pin is received in a recess in the cam surface.

Abstract: A portable positive dead bolt lock temporarily installed in a door frame and then removed and carried from one location to another to present, while temporarily used, a positive dead bolt lock. A planar lock plate is provided having a tab flange extended laterally into a notch opening in the door frame when installed, and an opening large enough to permit passage of the head of the dead bolt. An entry slot is provided from the opening extended to a pair of slot extensions therein in diverging relationship relative to the entry slot with one of the slot extensions extending up and the other extending down. Each of the slot extensions having one edge presenting a plurality of seats each presenting a vertical seat edge. The dead bolt having a groove between a head and the bolt body permitting passage of the bolt through the entry slot and into the slot extensions. Springs bias the lock plate toward the door frame when the door is closed.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a closure such as a window comprises a body containing a gear wheel that is rotated by a handle. This rotation is converted to a locking action by actuating members which are provided with a helical thread which engages helical teeth on the gear wheel. Rotation in one sense throws the members out of the body to perform a locking action and reverse rotation retracts the members into the body in an unlocking action. The position of the members can be altered simply by screwing the members into and out of the body.

Abstract: A latch for retaining together two parts of a piece of luggage has a latch element projecting from one of the parts, a housing mounted on the other part and shaped to receive the latch element, and a latch dog movable in the housing between a retaining position preventing the latch element, when engaged in the housing, from withdrawing from the housing and a freeing position permitting the latch element to withdraw from the housing. At least one operating element in the housing is displaceable in first and second nonparallel directions between an actuated and unactuated positions for, on displacement in the first direction and thereafter in the second direction, displacing the dog into the freeing position and for, on displacement in only one of the directions, leaving the dog in the retaining position. Thus if the operating element is accidentally hit by something the latch will not open.

Abstract: A latch includes a housing and first and second latch arms. Each latch arm defines a latching end, and the arms are pivotable between a latching position and a release position. A rotatable cam longitudinally shifts a latch arm follower, and the latch arms define bearing surfaces which engage the latch arm follower. The latch arms are configured such that movement of the latch arm follower toward the latching ends moves the bearing surfaces in a direction tending to move the latch arms to the release position.

Abstract: A split lock ring for securing a top plate or the like to a bulk material container. The split lock ring includes a segmented body with pairs of confronting ends. A chain hinge is secured to the confronting ends of one pair of confronting ends. A lug and bolt locking arrangement is secured to the confronting ends of another pair of confronting ends. In a modification of the split lock ring, a flexible circumferential band hinge is secured to a segmented body having pairs of confronting ends. The flexible circumferential band hinge is secured to the segmented body about the circumference of the segmented body and overlies one pair of confronting ends. The flexible circumferential band hinge extends over an angular distance of approximately 290.degree.. In still another modification of the split lock ring, a segmented body includes three curved segments forming three pairs of confronting ends.

Abstract: An anti-theft latch mechanism is especially suitable for securing vending machines. According to the present invention, a control mechanism (such as a rotatable stud attached to a knob) includes a clutch arrangement by which the control mechanism remotely controls a latch portion. Thus, the control mechanism is not rigidly tied to the remote latch, thereby avoiding possible damage to the latch and relaxing design criteria for the mechanism as a whole. A latch portion prevents vandals or thieves from pushing the door either inward or outward as they attempt to gain entry to the inside of the vending machine. For this purpose, the latch provides a cove in which a catch in the side of the vending machine is enclosed at least partially on all four sides when the door is closed. This cove arrangement substantially prevents the latch from being shaken loose even when the vandal or thief jars the machine.

Abstract: A combination padlock includes a lock body having a hasp fastening member fixedly secured on one side portion of the lock body, a hasp pivotally mounted on the other side portion of the lock body operatively engageable with the hasp fastening member for locking the padlock, a locking bolt longitudinally held in the lock body and resiliently urged to normally bias the hasp for locking the hasp on the fastening member, and a plurality of dials coupled with a plurality of sleeves rotatably mounted in the lock body for operatively locking or unlocking the locking bolt which is in turn actuated to open or close the hasp for unlocking or locking the padlock, thereby providing a sidewardly pivoted hasp with a greater angular pivotal movement of the hasp for a convenient locking or unlocking operation of the padlock.

Abstract: An actuator for transducing a rotational movement into a linear movement, which comprises:a drive motor generating the rotational movement;a first input gear connected to an output shaft of the drive motor;a first output gear engaging with the first input gear at a first gear ratio and having an external thread portion;a second output gear engaging with a second input gear at a second gear ratio and having an inner thread portion meshing with the external thread portion;an output member connected to the second output gear and generating the linear movenment; andthe first and second gear ratios being different from each other.

Abstract: A locking device for securing a sliding door in either a fully closed or partially opened, vented position. The device comprises an elongated bar having one end pivotally attached to the door frame and a free end with a specially shaped recess adapted to engage a lock assembly connected to the door. The lock assembly includes a rotatable shaft having a substantially rectangular cross-section for locking engagement with the bar's recess. Rotation of the shaft between locked and unlocked positions respectively locks and unlocks the bar to the lock assembly. The free end of the bar also may have a folding vent link having a similar specially shaped recess that may be used for venting of the door, while still securing it to prevent unwanted entry.

Abstract: A door lock assembly includes a housing-carried set of interactive operating components for mounting on a closure for releasingly engaging a keeper that is carried by structure located adjacent to an opening through which access is controlled by positioning the closure selectively in "open" and "closed" positions. The lock assembly is "slam-capable" in that its operating components include a pair of oppositely pivoted, spring-biased latch members that are movable into latching engagement with the keeper as the closure is "closed". The lock assembly has a two-part housing formed from first and second members that extend in congruent overlying relationship to define a first passage for receiving portions of the keeper as the closure is "closed." Second and third passages open through opposed side walls of the first passage to permit the opposed latch members to move into gripping engagement with portions of the keeper that are received within the first passage.

Abstract: A door lock device with a latch that is supported by a latch pin engages a striker. A pawl, which meshes with the latch is also supported on the latch pin. A lift lever which mates with the pawl pin moves together with the pawl on the same axis; an outer lever with a release bushing which mates with the lift lever is supported by the pawl pin. A locking link with a curved groove, which is concentric with the pawl pin, guides the release bushing.

Abstract: A releasable latch construction having a body member attachable to a panel, a latching member turnable on the body member for arcuate movement between a latching position and a releasing position, a locking mechanism movably carried by the body member and operable to lock the latching member in either its latching position or else in its releasing position, and an actuator movably carried in the body member and engageable with the locking mechanism, for effecting the locking or releasing movement of the latching member. The actuator is directly engageable by a latch key and is shiftable thereby in order to effect such movements.

Abstract: A plastic door lock comprises opposed flat inner and outer cover plates (1,1') each recessed to house slidable drag units (3,3'), and a core unit (2) located between the cover plates (1,1') housing a latch unit (4) which, on sliding movement of the drag units (3,3'), can be moved between a closed position and an open position. A limit switch (25) housed in the inner cover plate (1') can be pivoted between an unlocked position permitting movement of both the inner and outer drag units (3,3') to actuate the latch unit (4), and a locked position preventing movement of the outer drag unit (3) but being such that, on movement of the inner drag unit (3'), the limit switch (25) is returned to its unlocked position to enable actuation of the latch unit (4) from inside the door. The components of the lock are moulded from a plastics material.

Abstract: A tubular door lock for low safety comprising two knobs provided with a tubular shaft combined with a bearing plate, the tubular shaft having a hook and a projection to combine with an actuating plate, a square rod provided to fit in the actuating plates at both ends to enable the two knobs--the inner and the outer one--to move together at the same time.

Abstract: A telescoping closet flange for bringing a vertical drain pipe even with the level of a concrete floor comprises a cylindrical body, a seal, a slide and a seal cap held together by fastening members. Prior to pouring the concrete floor, a spacer sleeve is fitted over the drain pipe so that, when removed, sufficient space is left for the telescoping closet flange. After the concrete has set, the spacer sleeve is removed and the telescoping closet flange is placed over the drain pipe. The flange may be slid up or down along the drain pipe to achieve the desired height. By tightening a set of shoulder bolts and nuts, a water tight seal is formed between the flange and the drain pipe.

Abstract: A magnetic catch comprises a magnetic assembly and a catch plate. The magnetic assembly includes a magnet flanked by two pole shoes. The magnet and pole shoes are biassed against a casing portion by an abutment feature provided integrally on a support member which is retained by resilient clips extending from the casing. The localized nature of the abutment feature provides a gap between the pole plates and the support member. This gap allows the pole members to move relative to the magnet so that they can align themselves with the catch plate to provide optimal physical contact therewith. Nevertheless, the biasing arrangement holds the magnet in a fixed position which helps to prevent the magnet and pole shoes from rattling.

Abstract: A catch for a door latch or the like for use with a strike for latching a door. The catch is formed of a single piece, typically a molding or a stamping, with a base for mounting at a door or door frame, a lever fixed to the base, and a tang carried on the lever. The tang has a normal position and a latching position with the lever functioning as a spring to urge the tang to the normal position, and with the tang being deflectable to the latching position for passing over a ramp of a strike.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a latch fork pivotal on the housing about a latch-fork axis, engageable in a latched position with a door bolt to retain same and lock the door, and having a latching surface offset from the latch-fork axis, a main latching lever pivotal on the housing adjacent the fork about a main-lever axis substantially parallel to the latch-fork axis, and a secondary latching lever pivotal on the main lever about a secondary-lever axis substantially parallel to the latch-fork axis and having an outer end formed with a surface engaging the latch-fork surface in the latched position. A pair of stops define for the latching levers in the latched position of the latch fork a normal position with the surface in surface contact and an actuated position with the surfaces only in line contact. Thus to open the door the main lever is pivoted from the normal position to the actuated position and thereafter the latching-lever surface is slid off the latch-fork surface.

Abstract: A door lock device which comprises a structural base body by which a latch plate and a control mechanism for the latch plate are operatively carried; and a cover plate attached to the structural base body in a manner to cover the latch plate. The cover plate includes larger and smaller flat portions which are mutually intersected and the cover plate has an enclosed aperture which extends between the larger and smaller flat portions and through which the latch plate is exposed.