Abstract: A rotary latch employs at least one rotary jaw that is releasably retained in its latched position by a rotary pawl. Housing side plates sandwich the rotary jaw, the rotary pawl and one or more torsion coil springs that bias the rotary jaw from an unlatched position toward a latched position, and the rotary pawl from a jaw-releasing position toward a jaw-retaining position. Improvements that enhance service longevity include the use of C-shaped hook formations defined by reaches of spring material that extend from torsion spring coils located alongside one or both of the rotary jaw and the rotary pawl to engage convexly shaped C-shaped formations of the rotary jaw and/or the rotary pawl that are located in the same plane as the torsion spring coils to provide long-lived connections between the torsion spring or springs and one or both of the rotary jaw and the rotary pawl.

Abstract: Weather resistant push button operator assemblies usable with a variety of latch and lock systems are disclosed that employ O-ring seals along inner and outer diameters of tubular push button operators that may be provided with key operated lock cylinders. A clamp-on bracket and linkage assembly is disclosed that may be used to enable the push button operator assemblies to pivot pairs of latch connected links in opposite directions to concurrently release pairs of remotely located latches.

Abstract: A latch, lock and hinge system having components that are well suited for use with closures such as tonneau covers that close the upwardly opening rear cargo compartments of pickup trucks and the like, includes rotary latch assemblies that are mounted on hinges for releasably engaging latch strikers to provide cover mounting connections that permit the cover both to pivot between open and closed positions, and to be removed when desired. The hinges have pivotally connected arms that are biased to hold the hinge-carried latches adjacent the cover when the cover is removed. Also included are other rotary latch assemblies that are connected by flexible cables to a latch operator assembly having an elongate housing that defines near its opposite ends a pair of recesses wherein latch operators are nested that can be concurrently moved toward each other by the fingers of one hand to unlatch and pivot open the cover. The latch operator assembly is lockable to prevent the cover from being opened and/or removed.

Abstract: A locking system for toolboxes, industrial cabinets and the like includes a push button operator assembly connected by at least one movable link to at least one latch mechanism configured to latchingly engage an associated striker to releasably retain a first structure (such as a closure) on which the striker is mounted in a closed position relative to a second structure (such as a cabinet) on which the locking system is mounted. The push button operator assembly has a button that, when unlocked, can be depressed to move the associated link to unlatch the latch mechanism from the striker, and that, when locked, is inoperable when depressed to move the link.