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 push button actuator unit has a housing which defines a through passage that extends along an axis of the housing, and a slot that extends in a plane which transversely intersects the axis and communicates with the passage for supporting in the housing-defined slot a disc-shaped member having a central opening that aligns with the passage. Movable in the aligned passage and opening is a push button sub-assembly of the unit which includes a front element that, when depressed rearwardly, may cause a rear element of the push button sub-assembly to extend rearwardly from the housing to release a latch or to operate a switch or the like. If the unit is to be lockable, an optional locking mechanism is added to the elements of the push button sub-assembly to selectively drivingly connect the front and rear elements so that depression of the front element will cause rearward extension of the rear element only when the unit is unlocked.

Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing which defines a through passage that extends along an axis of the housing, and a slot that extends in a plane which transversely intersects the axis and communicates with the passage for supporting in the housing-defined slot a disc-shaped member having a central opening that aligns with the passage. Movable in the aligned passage and opening is a push button sub-assembly of the unit which includes a front element that, when depressed rearwardly, may cause a rear element of the push button sub-assembly to extend rearwardly from the housing to release a latch or to operate a switch or the like. If the unit is to be lockable, an optional locking mechanism is added to the elements of the push button sub-assembly to selectively drivingly connect the front and rear elements so that depression of the front element will cause rearward extension of the rear element only when the unit is unlocked.

Abstract: A latching system includes a control unit that houses a remote signal responsive relay and a crank arm that is pivoted by the armature of the relay when the relay is energized to oppositely move a pair of elongate links each of which is connected to a separate latch assembly for moving operating arms of the latch assemblies to unlatched positions for causing the latch assemblies to release their latched engagement with strikers that hold a closure closed.

Abstract: A combined lock/actuator for providing linear actuation including a lock barrel having an opening extending along a longitudinal axis, a spline in the opening extending along the longitudinal axis, a plug mounted in the opening, and a key-retractable tumbler carried by the plug and extending into the spline. The plug is rotatable within the opening over a fixed annular displacement between an actuation position and a release position. Further, the plug is translatable within the opening over a fixed axial displacement along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The tumbler extends into the spline when the plug is in the actuation position in the first position, when the plug is in the actuation position in the second position, and when the plug is in the actuation position in translating between the first and second positions.