Abstract: A locking mechanism especially adapted to operate a multilatch locking device said mechanism comprising a housing supporting an axle, a rotatable plate mounted on said axle and having at least two pins projecting therefrom and at least two linearly displaceable plate members respectively coupled to said axle and said rotatable plate by means of a pair of slots substantially normally extending to each other in each of said plates. The slots in each linearly displaceable plate are adapted to respectively engage said axle and one of said pins, and the arrangement is such that upon the rotation of said rotatable plate each of the coupled plate members extends outwardly linearly from said axle.