Abstract: A gate latch for use with a gate mounted for pivotal movement relative to a stationary fence includes a transversely extending latch bar secured to the gate and a latch member pivotally mounted on a mounting plate secured to the fence. In a first embodiment, a safety latch attachment includes an adapter plate configured for partial overlying attachment adjacent the latch mounting plate and having a reciprocal spring biased plunger in alignment with a transverse aperture formed through a latch frame on the mounting plate. When in a latched position, the plunger prevents the pivotal latch member from being unlatched. A pulley guided cable is connected to retract the plunger to allow the gate to be unlatched. In a second embodiment, the safety latch attachment mechanism is provided as an integral unit on a common mounting plate with the pivotal latch member.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism is provided for a latch assembly which releasably secures upper and lower cowl sections of an outboard motor. The interlock mechanism is movable between a locking position and a release position, and is normally disposed in its locking position, such as by a coil spring. The interlock mechanism is mounted to the latch handle, which is pivotably mounted to one of the cowl sections. A hook is interconnected with the latch handle, and is engageable with a catch assembly provided on the other of the cowl sections. The interlock assembly normally engages a stationary engagement pin provided on one of the cowl sections, which prevents accidental pivoting movement of the latch handle. The interlock mechanism is manually movable to its release position, so that the latch handle can be pivoted so as to disengage the hook from the catch mechanism.

Abstract: A security latch assembly for a door and window in which the door security latch assembly configuration will prevent the door from an unauthorized opening when the assembly is in a secured locked position. The window security latch assembly configuration will prevent the upper and lower sashes of a window from an unauthorized opening when the assembly is in a second locked position.

Abstract: A gate latch for a chain link fence comprising a collar for mounting on a first portion of a gate; an oar lock latch for pivotal mounting on a second portion of a gate, the oar lock having means formed thereon to lock the oar lock to the collar. A means is also provided which is formed on the collar for interfitting with the locking means and for enclosing a portion of the oar lock to lock the oar lock to the collar and inhibit access to the enclosed portions of the oar lock.

Abstract: A gate latch structure with a striker bar mounted on a fence gate hinge mounted on a fence. The latch structure also includes a pivot latch member pivotally mounted on a latch mounting back plate mountable on a fence post or the middle end of the other half of a double gate with the pivot latch member and the back plate symmetrical for turn over mounting adaption to left hand opening and right hand opening gate sections. The striker bar receiving opening in the pivot latch member has a rear edge recessed back from the rear end of the striker bar receiving opening in the latch mounting back plate. The back plate has upper and lower striker bar entrance guide ramps and the pivot latch member has two entrance lifting ramps only one in use depending on right or left gate mounting by entrance of the striker bar. Pivot latch member pivotal movement about the pivot screw mounting thereof is limited by a limit screw engaging an end of an arcuate slot therein.

Abstract: Latch mechanisms for latching two bodies in both tension and shear. A longitudinally extending latching bolt is associated with a latching assembly having an overcenter link mechanism controlled by a lever. The overcenter link mechanism includes a slot cooperating with a pin to provide two effective lengths to the fully extended linkage. A laterally extending notch provides a shoulder intermediate the ends of the slot to receive the pin. A keeper is slidably associated with a keeper assembly to engage a recess in the longitudinally extending bolt to prevent its withdrawal from the keeper assembly. A locking surface in the recess engages the keeper. A slide member may extend over the recess so that the keeper is selectively prevented from engaging the recess for purposes of retracting the bolt.

Abstract: A removable folding roof for a motor vehicle, especially for a passenger motor vehicle, which extends between a windshield frame and a roll bar and which includes laterally disposed longitudinally extending girders, several struts extending parallel to the girders and a roof covering. The folding roof is detachably retained at the windshield frame and at the roll bar by means of locking mechanisms. To achieve an effective support of the folding roof and a simple assembly operation for latching and tensioning the folding roof to the vehicle body, the longitudinally extending girders are placed on the upwardly extending tensioning levers of the locking mechanisms which are then pivoted downwardly along with the edges of the top to a latched position. An automatic tensioning of the folding roof in the vehicle transverse direction and simultaneous latching of the roof to the vehicle body is achieved by the pivoting of the tensioning lever to a lowered position.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a hook having an opening engageable to a keeper. A side plate having a straight slot and an angle slot is mounted to the hook via posts. A spring is provided to bias the plate so that it partially overlaps the opening. The plate prevents a latch handle from being moved into its closed position unless the hook is fully engaged onto a keeper.

Abstract: A latching device for luggage is described, wherein a latching member having a hasp engaging angled finger is rotatably mounted in a frame member. A spring member rotatably mounted atop the latching member has a key receiving recess, a locking tab for preventing rotation of the latching member, serves to urge the latching member against the base member and yieldably holds a ball in recesses in the base member. A hasp has a boss with a curved slot for receiving the hasp engaging finger on the latching member. A cover plate is rigidly attached to the latching member and is rotatably disposed on a base member which has a raised rib. A side wall of the cover plate rides across the rib camming the latching member and angled finger upwardly against a wall of the slot to draw the hasp and latching device toward each other.

Abstract: A sliding gate latch device having concentric mutually slideable tubular members, an inner one mounted to the sliding gate and the other sliding thereover, the inner tubular member carrying an articulated jaw which engages a pin or bolt on a fixed structure to which the gate is closed. A combination lock is adapted to lock the tubular members together. A rotatable tongue also positions itself within the outer tubular member when the jaw is in the locked position to prevent opening when the tubular members are locked together.

Abstract: A latch signal for mounting inside an engine cowling structure. The signal indicating when an internal latch is inadvertently left unlatched when the cowlings are closed. Further, the signal prevents adjacent cowlings from closing until the internal latch is properly secured.

Abstract: A handle-operated lock for use on a sliding door has hook-shaped, rotary latch bolts which project from opposite sides of a housing for selectively engaging spaced strikes to selectively retain the sliding door in open or closed positions. A compression coil spring is carried within the housing for biasing the latch bolts toward their latched positions. Inside and outside rotary handles are provided for selectively rotating the latch bolts to unlatch them in opposition to the action of the spring. Inner and outer rotary tumblers provided within the housing to drivingly connect the rotary handles with the rotary latch bolts. A slidable latch-operator is provided near the inside handle for movement between a locked position wherein it prevents rotation of the outer tumbler to disable the outside handle from operating either of the bolts, and an unlocked position wherein it permits the outside handle to operate the latch bolts.

Abstract: A latching mechanism and pressure-operated safety lock for a pressure vessel such as a pressure fryer, the invention positively locks a lid of a pressure fryer over the cooking pot by means of a latch mounted on the distal end of a bar which centrally engages the lid to bias the lid into a pressure-tight relation with upper peripheral edges of the pot. The latch includes a spindle having a hook element formed at the lower end for engaging a catch mounted on the body of the fryer on tightening of the latch by rotation of a hub mounted on the spindle. The hub is provided with radially extending handles which facilitate rotation thereof. A safety lock operated by pressure generated by food cooking within the fryer cooperates with the latch to prevent opening of the lid when pressure of at least a predetermined value exists within the fryer.

Abstract: A latch bolt for locking sliding windows. The bolt includes a housing and a spring biased handle formed with a pivotal stump. The pivotal stump is seated within the housing, the handle being locked against any axial displacement. The housing is provided with a channel in which at least one insert is disposed for locking the handle against axial displacement. A spring is disposed interior of the channel and between the assembled pivot stump and housing.

Abstract: A mechanism for inhibiting the locking movement of a hooklike oven door latch member when an associated keeper fixed to the oven door is not in its proper position for engagement with the latch member. Inhibiting the locking movement of the latch member precludes the closing of associated interlock switches to prevent the user from initiating a high temperature oven cleaning cycle or a microwave cooking cycle without proper locking of the oven door. The mechanism includes a stop member biased at a latch movement inhibiting position, the stop member being moved to a non-inhibiting position by engagement with the keeper when the oven door is moved to a fully closed position.

Abstract: A briefcase is provided with a two-part releasable fastening device, the first part of which includes a movable fastening member for releasably fastening the parts together. The first part of the device further comprises a ball which, when the case is inverted, is urged by gravity into a retaining position in which it prevents releasing movement of the fastening member. When the lid of the case is uppermost, the ball permits movement of the fastening member to release the second part of the device.

Abstract: A tensioning device, especially for lashing chains. The device is provided with two link members, movable with respect to each other and having a releasable latch for receiving chain members. At least one link member has a fork-shape, including two legs or arms projecting to extend freely and parallel to each other while being connected by a transverse piece. The link members are held under tension in the closure position, and at least one link member is movable into a releasing position under the force of the connected tension chain. Two spindles are journalled in a double nut, with each having self-binding left and right threads for movement of the link members. A yoke or bracket bridging a suspension opening formed by a hook can be provided, with the hook being pivotable to serve as a link member. The hook is releasably connected with its free end on the yoke or bracket. The hook may be extended beyond the pivot axis thereof.

Abstract: A battery enclosure for an electrically driven vehicle includes side panels, and a plastic top panel reinforced by elongated metal rods mounted relative to the top panel by means of plastic securing members bonded to the top panel. Locking means, including a pivotal member adapted for securing an edge portion of the top panel to a side panel, are included.

Abstract: An automatically closing lock, for a container having a body and a closure mounted for movement to close the body, includes a catch assembly having a catch housing mountable with one of the container body and closure. The catch housing defines a striker surface and a catch surface adjacent the striker surface. A latch assembly, that cooperates with the catch assembly, includes a latch housing mountable on the other of the container body and closure and a latch member mounted for limited pivoted movement in the latch housing. The latch member is formed with at least one hook-like element that is guided to the catch surface and into engagement therewith by the striker surface. A spring compressed in the latch housing urges the latch member and hook-like element into firm contact with the striker surface and into engagement with the catch surface.

Abstract: A simple manually operable sanitary latch is provided to retain a cover on a pan while heating or for lifting the pan by the lid, as particularly useful in an environment such as a restaurant or hospital. The latch comprises two members, one being a U-shaped hook affixed to the cover at the edge, so that it goes under the upper lip of a mating pan. On an opposite edge of the cover is a movable latch member retained by a strap like bracket affixed substantially parallel to the cover, which permits the latch to move normally to the edge of the lid. This movable latch has an outermost hook for registering under the lip of the mating pan and an innermost abuttment member that restricts the extent of movement away from a latched position where the cover can be removed.

Abstract: A catch for releasably securing together two separable parts and comprising a base member mounted on one of the parts, an operating lever pivotally supported on the base member, an adjustable draw bar carried by the operating lever and movable into and out of connected relation with an associated strike mounted on the other of the parts, and a control lever assembly carried by the operating lever for cooperating with the base member to releasably latch the operating lever in a closed position to maintain the draw bar in connected relation with the strike. Compound movement of the control lever assembly is required to effect release of the operating lever from its closed position.