Abstract: A drill screw of the type suitable for fastening a sheet or plate to a lightweight steel frame member comprises a head portion, a threaded portion adjacent the head portion, a drill shaft portion adjacent the threaded portion, a large diameter drill portion adjacent the drill shaft portion, and a small diameter drill portion adjacent the large diameter drill portion. The small diameter drill portion has a smaller drill angle than the large diameter drill portion thus providing improved bite so that less thrusting force is required and the tendency to skid and drift is reduced.

Abstract: A vehicle door lock apparatus includes a latch mechanism, a locking lever which permits the latch mechanism to be operated and prevents the latch mechanism from being operated and detecting member connected with the locking lever including a detecting shaft, wherein the locking lever is rotatably supported on the detecting shaft and the locking lever is rotated with the detecting member integrally about the detecting shaft.

Abstract: A low torque fastener screw for securing a wooden workpiece to a substrate includes an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and having an enlarged head formed on one end, an external pointed thread formed on an opposite end, an elongated unthreaded shank between the enlarged head and the threaded end, and a reamer formed at the juncture of the shank and thread. The reamer has a plurality of longitudinal cutting edges formed about its periphery which ream out the hole formed by the threaded end to a diameter larger than the shank, thereby reducing frictional resistance to rotation of the screw and optimizing the torque applied by the driving tool.

Abstract: A combination lock/deadbolt assembly connection technique is disclosed for connecting the bolt of the combination lock to the deadbolt of the deadbolt assembly to provide a lost motion connection while at the same time to retain the ability to position a magnetic anti-attack interlock within the bolt of the combination lock. A connecting shaft is disposed between the bolt and the deadbolt and a spring bias force introduced between the two bolts. The shaft may be attached rigidly at one end to either the lock bolt or deadbolt. The opposite end is loosely attached by retaining rings or retaining rings to accommodate the movement of the loosely attached bolt with respect to the shaft thereby providing a lost motion connection. A compression spring is disposed intermediate to the lock bolt and the deadbolt to provide a separating or extending force.

Abstract: This invention is a spring-loaded door-closing device consisting of a section (1) having a longitudinal cavity (2) in the lower part which houses and allows a moving tube (15) attached to a pressure hook (16) and a reaction spring (18) to slide within. In the upper part of the section there are one or more longitudinal channels (5, 6), and one or more brackets (13) equipped with a structure for moving along, and fixing to, the channels (5, 6). The brackets have components for fixing them to the under part of a vehicle floor in such a position where they can hold open, when activated, the vehicle door, or doors.

Abstract: A device for controlling the opening and closing of at least two doors, each enabling access to an enclosure, a single control means adapted to allow separate and controlled access to each of the enclosures. The control means operates locking means for keeping the doors closed or for releasing them, in such a manner that the doors can be simultaneously either all closed at the same time or else at least one open and another closed. The locking means includes, for each door, at least one sliding bolt associated with a receiving seat provided on a corresponding door.

Abstract: An anti-friction Tee-nut for use in Tee-nut setting machines having a feed mechanism, and the Tee-nut having a threaded sleeve portion, a flange portion substantially normal to the threaded sleeve portion around one end thereof, the flange portion defining upper and lower surface planes, and the flange portion being adapted to be received in the feed mechanism of a setting machine, and, deflected portions deflected out of the upper surface plane of the flange portion along the leading and trailing end edges of the flange.

Abstract: A security device for securing first and second adjacent doors having first and second door knobs, respectively, is disclosed. Each door knob has a neck portion and a head portion. The security device comprises: (a) a rigid plate disposed substantially between two parallel planes; (b) first and second openings spaced apart from one another in a bottom wall of the plate; (c) first and second holes in first and second side walls of the plate, the holes extending through the plate into the openings; (d) first and second locking pins slidably disposed within the first and second holes; and (e) first and second springs attached to the pins which bias the pins to the locking position. The springs can retract into enlarged portions of the holes when the locking pins are in their unlocked positions. The first and second locking pins extend below the respective neck portions of the door knobs when the locking pins are in their locking positions.

Abstract: A steering lock apparatus of the type that a lock bar moving along the guide section of a lock body is protruded toward the steering shaft for locking, has a device for cooperating with the guide section to regulate the protrusion of the lock bar towards the steering shaft when the lock bar is accidentally released.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a lock fork engageable with a door bolt and a release pawl engageable with the fork. A lever mechanism connected to the release pawl can operate the release pawl. A locking element pivoted on the housing about an element axis and operatively connected to the lever mechanism is formed with an outwardly open notch and is displaceable for decoupling the lever mechanism from the release pawl in the locked position of the locking element and for coupling the lever mechanism to the release pawl in the unlocked position of the locking element. A cutout lever is pivotable on the housing about a cutout axis and a drive body rotatable about a drive axis parallel to the element and cutout axes has an eccentric pin extending parallel to the axes. The pin is engaged in the notch and is engageable with the cutout lever.

Abstract: A lock having a housing and flange, a lock cylinder, a cam lever, and a lock nut. The housing has a length which is slightly less than the thickness of the panel into which it is to be inserted. Its exterior surface has axial ridges which engage with the inner surface of the panel hole in which the housing is inserted. The ridges preferably extend only a short distance from the flange. These ridges hold the housing in place and prevent it from turning in the panel hole. The lock cylinder, which fits within the housing, has a threaded portion extending outwardly to receive the cam lever and the lock nut. Tightening up on the lock nut serves to draw the housing fully into the hole and to clamp the housing in place. The lock cylinder is keyed to the inner surface of the housing; and the cam lever is keyed to the threaded portion.

Abstract: A overhead door lock which may be used with both manually operated and motor operated doors. The lock has a base adapted to be mounted on the door, and has a mounting plate and a pair of spaced apart legs. Each leg carries a slide aperture, and one leg includes a lockout hole. A striker plate is attached to the door channel in a position collinear with the base. A spring biased striker is carried by the base and when the door is manually operated, the striker is placed in an operative position where it slides freely through generally aligned slide apertures. When the door is motor operated, the striker may be placed in an inoperative lockout position by placing one end of the striker in the lockout hole. When the striker is in the inoperative lockout position, it cannot contact the striker plate when the door is in the closed position.

Abstract: A door operating mechanism, preferably a door operating mechanism for cabinets, comprising a vertical pivot shaft (2) equipped with eccentric pins (5) at opposite ends thereof to cooperate with keeper members (3) characterized by, that the vertical pivot shaft (2) is pivotally retained clamps (4) secured to the door at certain distances from the bottom and the top of the cabinet doors and from the ends of the pivot shaft (2), thereby permitting the elastic or resilient force occuring in the vertical pivot shaft (2) when the ends thereof are distended laterally by engagement of the eccentric or offset pins (5) with the detents (9) of the keeper members (3), to be employed to close the door tightly against the sealing gasket (21) on the cabinet.

Abstract: A door lever assembly for disengaging an unlocked latch of a lockable door latch assembly includes a lever handle rotatably connected to a trim housing and a cam operably connected to the lever handle. The cam is positioned to rotate in response to rotation of the lever handle, converting its rotational movement to linear movement of a movable slider positioned adjacent to the cam. An electrically activated block arm is positionable to prevent movement of the movable slider, effectively locking the door lever assembly.

Abstract: A door latching and seal assembly wherein a movable seal provides a combined latching and seal function with a detent action as the door engages and disengages a movable seal. In a preferred manner, the assembly has an extending lip for engagement with the door and the detent action is provided by lobe portions extending into cutouts in a mounting member. The latching and seal assembly is particularly suited for use with a curved shower door.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a pivotal lock fork housing engageable with a door bolt and a release pawl engageable with the fork to retain it in a locked position. A lever mechanism connected to the release pawl can displace the release pawl into a bolt-freeing position. A child-safety lever having a pair of arms is pivotal between a child-safety position and a normal position. An actuating pawl on the housing engages one of the arms of the child-safety lever and is displaceable between an on position holding the child-safety lever in the child-safety position and an off position with the child-safety lever in the normal position.

Abstract: A recessed three-point latching mechanism and method for a storage locker and a locker incorporating the same utilizes a dead bolt system employing a pair of rotary actuated lock rods for engaging the top and bottom of the locker door opening in conjunction with a center latch engaging the door jamb. A lever, which may include a finger grip, is utilized for simultaneously unlocking the lock rods and unlatching the center latch and is accessible within a recessed cup for safety and security. The latching mechanism and method may also include a cam to hold the latching mechanism in a door open position until the door is closed to prevent damage to the locker face by the otherwise extended lock rods. The latching mechanism and method is compatible with either padlocks or a built-in lock secured within the recessed cup.

Abstract: A door stop assembly is adapted for introduction between the sliding door and the stationery door of a patio door assembly. The door stop assembly has a wedge block having an integrally formed wedge portion and block portion. A vertical shoulder abutment wall is formed on the block partition where it meets the rear end of the top surface of the wedge portion. A flat strip of spring steel is bent to form a top leg member and a bottom leg member that are oriented to each other at an acute angle and the bottom leg member is secured to the wedge block. The front section is positioned above the top surface of the wedge portion of the wedge block in a spaced relationship thereto. The middle section extends upwardly from the rear end of the front section and is spaced forwardly of the shoulder abutment wall. The rear section has a concave curvature along its longitudinal axis and it extends rearwardly from the top end of the middle section.

Abstract: A cover plate with a center cap is placed over a wheel installed on a truck trailer. A tang on the cover plate, located on the side facing the wheel, passes through a slot in the wheel. The plate is then rotated until the tang touches a wheel spoke, and a projection on the tang extends under the wheel spoke holding the tang to the wheel. A slot on the opposite side of the cover plate overlaps another slot in the wheel. A flange attached to a chain is passed up through the wheel slot and the slot in the cover plate. The chain flange is then secured in place by a padlock attached through an eyehole in the chain flange. An identical installation is made on the tandem wheel using another cover plate and the flange on the other end of the chain.

Abstract: A method to attach a cotter pin to a receptor at its through hole includes using a flat slider key whose aperture has surface zones against which the pin's legs bias into a conforming slidable fit. The key is initially remote from the legs' free ends and is oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by the legs. The key is slid along the legs, which are forced toward each other without eliminating the gap therebetween. The key is then pivoted until the legs close so as to fit their free ends into an entry of the receptor's hole. Once the legs' free ends are in the hole, the key is returned to its original orientation. The legs are then passed through the key further into the hole until their free ends exit the hole and spread apart more than hole's width.