Abstract: A latching system associated with a dipper door of a dipper includes a latch bar that engages with a body of the dipper. The latch bar defines a longitudinal axis. The latch bar includes a housing, one or more shims, and a wear member removably coupled to the housing. The wear member defines a wear surface and a wear axis extending parallel to the wear surface. An angle defined between the wear axis and the longitudinal axis is less than 45 degrees. The latching system also includes an arm member pivotally coupled to the dipper door such that the arm member is pivotable along a first pivot plane. The arm member contacts a portion of the latch bar for moving the latch bar along the longitudinal axis. The latching system includes a guide assembly having a guide pulley and an actuation member that causes pivoting of the arm member.

Abstract: An inertial lockout mechanism is coupled to a latch mechanism, such that, during a collision event, the inertial lockout mechanism will move to an interference position such that the latch mechanism will be retained in a locked position as an inertial force is realized on the latch mechanism. Specifically tailored compression spring configurations ensure that the inertial lockout mechanism will move to the interference position before the latch mechanism can move to the unlocked position.

Abstract: A gate latch includes a bracket including a vertical backplate, a lower plate, and an upper plate. Each of the plates is attached to and extends in the same direction away from the backplate. Each of the plates includes first and second throughholes, in which the first throughhole of the lower plate is vertically aligned with the first throughhole of upper plate, and the second throughhole of lower plate is vertically aligned with the second throughhole of the upper plate. The latch includes a rigid bolt including first, second, and third elongate portions, with the first and third elongate portions being connected together, the second and third elongate portions being connected together, and the first and second elongate portions being parallel. The first elongate portion is movably positioned in the first throughholes of the upper and lower plates, and the second elongate portion is movably positioned in the second throughholes of the upper and lower plates.

Abstract: A trash container locking apparatus includes a housing which is secured to a surface of a trash container. The housing includes a pivot member rotatably mounted in an outer wall of the housing for rotation about a pivot axis and having an inner portion inside the housing and an outer portion outside the housing. A latch member is secured to the pivot member inside the housing. A swing arm secured to the pivot member outside the housing and associated with a locking bar which extends over a lid of the trash container. A latch paddle is pivotally mounted in the housing to hang vertically in a latch engaging position when the housing is mounted on the trash container. The latch member and latch paddle have interengaging formations which engage in a locking position to prevent the latch member and associated swing arm from rotating.

Abstract: A childproof gate latch for an enclosure such as a fence is provided with a latching member attached to a gate. The latching member is received through a lock opening in a fence support as the gate is closed. A latching sleeve is moveable into engagement with the latching member as the latching member enters the lock opening. Thereafter, as the latching sleeve is raised and the latching member released from engagement, a pawl moves to a lowered position supporting the latching sleeve in a ready to engage arrangement.

Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.

Abstract: A ground lock fitting comprises: an upper cover comprises a top surface and an upper sidewall, wherein a guiding hole is provided on the top surface and a thread is provided on the upper sidewall; a lower cover comprises a base surface and a lower sidewall, wherein a mounting hole is provided on the base surface; the upper cover is connected with the lower cover to form a chamber in which a locking bar comprising a mainbody and a stopper attached thereunder is disposed; and a magnetized portion is provided on top of the mainbody in which a locking hole is provided. The ground lock fitting is hidden from view, hard to break open and convenient to use such that it can be widely used in rolling shutter gates for stores and the like.

Abstract: A multi-purpose, front-loading display frame includes a front frame member having a pair of opposite first and second lateral side sections, a rear frame member having a pair of opposite first and second lateral side sections, at least one hinge for pivotally joining the first lateral side section of the front member to the first side section of the rear frame member to permit pivotal movement between an open position, in which the second side sections of the front and rear frame members may be pivoted apart from one another, and a closed position, in which the second side sections are disposed closely adjacent to one another. A lock is mounted on one of the second side sections of one of the front and rear frame members, and at least one latch plate is engageable with the lock. The latch plate is mounted on the other of the second side sections of the other of the front and rear frame members for cooperative engagement with the lock.

Abstract: A weapon container and lock assembly for mounting in a vehicle, for example, an aircraft, that may be subject to a positive accelerated gravity environment. The weapon container has a container body defining an interior cavity therein and a top lid that is selectively moved between an open position and a closed position with respect to the container body by a container opening assembly. A lock assembly is provided for movement between a first, locked, position and a second, unlocked, position upon application of an accelerated gravity condition of a predetermined level. In use, the lock assembly prevents movement of the container opening assembly when the lock assembly is in the first position and allows movement of the container opening assembly when the lock assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A lockable enclosure including a safe, a suitcase, a briefcase, and the like has an interior sized to receive articles and an electronic key assembly actuating a cam mechanism upon entry of a preprogrammed entry code. The cam mechanism has a cam that depresses a release lever of the a latch assembly to a position, wherein the latch assembly disengages from the lockable enclosure to allow a door to swing in an open position so as to enable access to the interior of the lockable enclosure.

Abstract: A latching device which detects the initial shocks of major earthquakes and activates safety devices before the onset of destructive ground motions. A unidirectional vertical threshold seismoscope is integrated with mechanical and electromechanical safety devices to latch cabinets closed, secure movable objects, shut off gas, water, and electric utilities, activate alarms, early warning networks, and related automated response systems. The device is fully self contained, requires no external power, and is virtually impervious to nonearthquake noise in that it is designed to respond specifically to the vertical acceleration and displacement characteristic of the initial shock waves of a major earthquake.

Abstract: A gravity latch for a swinging gates such as a corral gate or a gate on a box stall. The latch has a barrel and keeper mounted on the gate and a gate post. They are both rectangular metal tubes and inclined downwardly from the barrel to the gate at an angle of 45.degree.. The barrel and keeper have parallel rows of fastener openings through them to enable the fastening of the barrel and keeper to gates and posts of various types, including wooden and steel corral gates. A bolt for the latch is in the form of a source metal tube that slides along the barrel and the keeper. In the latched condition, it is completely enclosed within the barrel and keeper to prevent opening of the gate by an animal.

Abstract: Earth moving equipment especially of the loader/backhoe type is provided with hydraulically operated stabilizer arms having associated therewith stabilizer pads. The pad is a reversible stabilizer pad having a flanged surface for engagement with gravel, for example, and a somewhat resilient surface for engagement with pavement, for example. An automatically operable sliding latch maintains the pad in a locked position but permits automatic latch disengagement for pad reversal.

Abstract: Locking mechanism for locking and unlocking a sliding-type door. The mechanism for the most part is mounted externally of the door, and includes a pivoted, frame-mounted locking member pivotable between locking and unlocking positions. A dead latch latches the locking member in its locking position. An air cylinder is actuated, first to release the dead latch, and then to shift the locking member to its unlocking position. A door-carried locking member also is provided for locking the door at a region remote from the region locked by the frame-mounted locking member.

Abstract: A closure for a load container such as an open bed of a truck having a rectangular opening formed by side walls. The closure comprises a plurality of elongated panels each configured to extend greater than the width of the rectangular opening to rest on two opposite side walls of the load container. The panels are hingedly connected together side-by-side at the longitudinal edges thereof for movement between an unfolded position wherein the panels lie in a single plane and completely close the opening and a fan-folded position wherein the panels lie in a single stack superposed on one end panel. The one end panel is fastened at a third side wall forming the rectangular opening of the load container. The ends of the panels have pins for limiting lateral movement when in the unfolded position. The other end panel can be releasably locked onto the fourth side wall when the panels are in the unfolded position.