Abstract: A rotary latch mechanism for engaging a latch post, for example to latch a vehicle door to its frame. The latch mechanism comprises a rotating cam having a recess to engage or release the latch post. A torsion spring or the like biases the cam for rotation toward the position in which it releases the latch post. A latch bar sliding perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the cam is biased for slidably engaging an abutment on the cam to latch the cam in its engaged position. A handle or other release is provided to retract the latch bar, freeing the cam for rotation to its disengaged position. The mechanism is quite simple and requires only a few moving parts, yet it provides the same functions as other more complex latch mechanisms.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible seat and locking arrangement, wherein a spring biased catch member pivotally mounted on the seat back is engageable with separate stationary latches and is guided for engagement therewith by a guide surface between the latches and wherein the spring force on the catch member urges its guided movement and establishes and maintains engagement of the catch member with one of the latches to lock the seat in its upright position and wherein the spring force also establishes engagement of the catch member with the other latch but the compression of the cushions thereafter maintains this engagement to lock the seat back in its horizontal position.

Abstract: A latch particularly adapted to releasably secure an escape door has a rotating catch pivotally connected to a toggle joint link mechanism having an actuating arm and a stop means associated therewith. When the catch is in closed position, the link mechanism is located on the stop means side of its longitudinal axis and force in an opening direction on the catch is resisted by the stop means. The catch is released by pushing the actuating arm to thereby shift the link mechanism to the other side of its longitudinal axis where the link mechanism has sufficient movement to allow the catch to rotatably release.

Abstract: Gate latch for fastening a vertically hinged two-way swinging gate, and arranged to be manually released easily from either side of the closed gate to permit swinging movement and opening of the gate in either direction.

Abstract: A door and discharge hopper combination including a locking mechanism which includes a rotatable latch jaw adapted to engage a keeper on the hopper door. The jaw is maintained in a locked position by means of a link and bell crank lever arrangement which is adapted to be biased into an over-center position to assure positive locking of the latch jaw and keeper arrangement.