Abstract: Locking mechanism having a casing including a pair of spaced support plates of similar or identical size and shape. The support plates have identical, spaced, congruent, T-shaped tongues along their front edges. When the locking mechanism is installed in a door, the tongues extend beyond the front edge to engage a C-shaped strike in the door jamb. A pair of flat-bodied, blade-like bolt members, having shank and latch portions at opposite ends, and pivoted therebetween, are located side by side in coplanar relation in a space between the support plates. The latch portions project outwardly beyond the front edge of the door, between the T-shaped tongues. A flat, eccentric, plate-like cam member is rotatably supported between the shank portions of the bolt members. The cam and bolt members are constrained to a mutually coplanar relation by a sliding contact with the inner surfaces of the support plates on both sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in elevating the movable end of the a swinging gate and for supporting and maintaining the end of gate in a predetermined position, whereby the locking drop rod of the gate may be selectively and cooperatively received by the apparatus to thereby lock the gate from further swinging movement.

Abstract: A security system for hotels, motels, and the like in which a dead bolt door lock must be in the locked position to enable electric accessories or devices such as lights or television sets to be utilized. The security system includes sensing and control means for sensing the position of the dead bolt lock and for responsibly enabling or disenabling the electric circuitry.

Abstract: A latch for a door of a substantially airtight solid-fuel stove, whose operation requires that before full opening of the stove door can be accomplished the door be positioned in a partially opened position while the latch is being manipulated. A latch dog normally engages a wedge to hold the door fully closed, and a limit stop allows a first rotation of the latch mechanism to disengage the dog from the wedge but prevents rotation sufficient to allow the latch dog to clear the edge of the doorway opening. A space defined between the wedge and the front of the stove permits the latch dog to pass between the wedge and the front of the stove during a second rotation of the latch mechanism, in the opposite direction, to a position allowing full opening of the stove door. During this second motion of the latch mechanism the door is partially opened, allowing sufficient air to enter the combustion chamber to establish normal convective draft currents and prevent backpuffing and expulsion of smoke and flame.

Abstract: Strike for receiving the bolt of a lock or similar device. The strike is securely anchored to a substantial structural member and provides greater security than is possible with conventional jamb-mounted strike plates and strike boxes.

Abstract: Several different designs of striker plate assemblies, for providing a stronger construction so as to resist a forced entry by applying pressure against a door; a first design including the striker plate secured to a metal angle fastened to a door frame beam in two different planes; a second design using a metal block instead of the metal angle of the first design; a third design having the striker plate itself made in an angle shape, so as to be fastened by screws in two different planes; a fourth design being a modification of the second design, in which the metal block includes a flange extending behind a door frame; and a fifth design of the invention including a metal block, which additionally is secured to the door frame in a third plane, so as to form a three-dimensional securement against a shearing force from any direction.

Abstract: A magnetic door stay retainer for retaining a swinging door in a closed position in a door frame. The retainer automatically holds the door in a closed position in a door frame when the door is closed. The retainer is adjustable in controlling the amount of force required to open a door when, for example, wind gusts tend to blow the door open.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved door strike noteworthy in its ability to resist forced entry when disposed upon a door. The structure includes a member adapted to be inserted in the doorjamb and its associated studs having a cylindrical tang for deep insertion therein, a body portion having a hollowed rectanguloid configuration with a tapered curvilinear top surface attached to the tang, and on the side opposite the tang connected to the body portion is a cylindrical disk portion hving a semi-circular step upper portion remote from the tang with a groove and a lip to allow registry with the mating jimmey proof door piece which has an upstanding projection fashioned to fit in the lip and groove of the security device.

Abstract: A lock strike plate assembly includes a lock bolt housing for insertion into a recess of a door jamb and a brace member extending from the back of the housing internally into the adjoining wall support, thereby giving horizontal and vertical support to the lock strike plate, the lock bolt housing and its related lock mechanism.

Abstract: The protector includes a generally U-shaped main body portion engageable with the major circumference of one or more door frame support members. A perpendicular flange portion projects from one terminal portion of the main body portion for engagement with a portion of the door frame which will be subjected to splitting forces during an attempt at forcible entry. A coplanar extension of the other terminal portion of the main body portion forms an anchor. The protector thus can serve as a combination anchor-door frame protector, or as a door frame protector alone. In the latter instance, the extension and adjacent segment of the main body portion may be eliminated.

Abstract: A stove for use in an abode and which includes an air intake system and a viewing door. The air intake system inducts air into the stove from outside the abode and includes a draft control mechanism for controlling the amount of air introduced into the stove. The viewing door includes means for slidably receiving a spark screen, a viewing window and a heat shield, which elements can be used singly or in combination, as desired. A latching mechanism on the door enables the door to be closed with varying degrees of tightness. Alternative embodiments include use of the stove in a water heating system and fans convecting air over the stove outside surfaces.

Abstract: Latching apparatus with anti-separation feature for use with closure covers, such as vehicle doors, including interlocking back plate of bolt and striker, the back plate being mounted on the door and having a flange at the outer end which engages behind the striker mounted on door frame, when in closed and latched position, and an aperture adjacent the outer end of the bolt to accommodate an outwardly extending tang on the edge of the striker which is lockingly engaged by the bolt, with a spacer between the striker and door frame to enable such engagement of striker by back plate flange, thereby assuring three-directional containment of the striker so as to prevent undesired separation of bolt from striker because of relative movements therebetween.

Abstract: A latch shield for covering a latch assembly and preventing opening of the latch assembly from outside of a closure associated with the latch assembly. The shield has a hollow interior arranged for receiving the latch asembly and is attached to a stationary frame of the associated closure for spanning the gap between the stationary frame and a movable element of the closure when the movable element is in a position blocking access through the closure in order to prevent a tool inserted through the gap from releasing the latch assembly and permit opening of the closure.

Abstract: An impact absorbing lock apparatus to prevent unauthorized entry through a door by kicking or ramming of the door comprises a mounting bracket attached to the door jamb of the door adjacent a latch bolt used to secure the door, a keeper for retaining the latch bolt and mounted for movement relative to the mounting bracket between a rest position contacting the mounting bracket and a displaced position, and a spring contacting the keeper and urging the keeper toward the rest position, the spring absorbing any impulse forces applied to the latch bolt and keeper and permitting keeper movement to displace the spring to absorb impulse forces and keep the lock apparatus from being torn from the door jamb. In one embodiment of the invention, the keeper is slidably mounted for movement toward and away from the mounting bracket. In a second embodiment the keeper is swingably mounted to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A lock strike construction is for use with a wall having at least a cripple in the framing thereof and adjacent to a door casing side rail separated from the cripple by an intervening space. A door panel cooperates with the casing and has a lock with a bolt engageable with a strike on the door casing in a deeply recessed mortise. A planar elongated plate, symmetrical about a vertical axis, is in the mortise. An elongated bolt opening and a pair of screw clearance holes go through the planar plate on the axis. Also in the planar plate is a pair of screw rod holes, both disposed on one side of the axis. These receive a pair of screw rods extending through the intervening space and into the cripple as cantilever beams. The usual strike plate overlies the planar plate, its bolt opening registering with the bolt opening in the plate and its screw openings substantially registering with the screw clearance holes.

Abstract: An improved astragal and flush bolt assembly to be secured to a relatively stationary member such as a door jamb or to the edge of an inactive door of a pair of double doors or the like. The astragal assembly includes a flat metal body mounted on the edge of the stationary member and a metal stop member secured to the body along one edge thereof. The flat body includes first and second spaced apart legs extending outwardly from the stationary member with the flat body and legs defining a channel to receive and retain a door latch bolt from the active door. The stop member prevents movement of the door in a first direction and when the latch bolt is engaged in the channel, the channel and latch bolt prevent the door from moving in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An elongated metal plate for fastening to the back of a wooden door jamb with a plurality of fastenings including an angled side of the plate recessed into the jamb, another angled penetrating side driven into the jamb, and a plurality of screws driven through the metal plate intermediate the recessed and penetrating sides. The fastenings are longitudinally and transversely spaced apart to provide maximum reinforcing strength without a concentration of the plurality of fastenings sufficient to weaken the wooden jamb where its bulk has been reduced by hollowing to receive a latch bolt. After the metal plate has been fastened to the back of the jamb, the jamb is fixed to blocking structure of a doorway with the metal plate therebetween and out of reach of tampering. As reinforced by a locked door in the doorway, the whole jamb must be broken transversely against its wood grain in order to force the door.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic latch receptacle mounted in an apertured panel and adapted to accept a shouldered strike. The latch includes a resilient oval tubular portion supported in spaced independently flexible relation to both the head and mounting legs and carries at least one shouldered rib positioned along each major dimension of the oval for engagement of the strike at a plurality of positions.

Abstract: An improved gate stop is disclosed comprising a flat plate having a forward first section, a central second section, and a rear third section. A narrow slit is cut through the plate following a path beginning at the junction of the second and third sections near the lower boundary of the plate, extending toward the first section, then upwardly toward the upper boundary of the plate, and then toward the third section, and terminating at the junction of the second and said third sections near the upper boundary of the plate. This slit defines the border of a flap which projects outwardly when the third section is bent perpendicular to the second section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strike plate for doors with spring bolt latches which has a guard flange that projects at a right angle from the plate toward the leading edge of the door. The guard flange is located between the latch bolt and the outside of the door. The guard flange prevents cards, blades or other burglary devices from being inserted between the door edge and the jam for the purpose of releasing the latch bolt.

Abstract: A door lock strike guard is for use with a door jamb having a strike pocket therein and overlying a frame member. The guard itself is a flat metal bar having at one end a panel adapted to be disposed at one side of the strike pocket and having at the other end a leg adapted to be driven into a bore in the frame member. Between the panel and the leg there is an offset strap so that the leg is well displaced from the edge of the frame member. A lateral force on the strike pocket wall, normally borne only by the part of the jamb bounding the strike pocket, is additionally borne by the panel and at least in part is transferred to the frame member. In a modification, a screw regulates the penetration of the leg into the bore.

Abstract: A vertically elongated metal strike plate is mounted on the lock jamb of a sliding glass door or window by a pair of screws disposed on a substantially horizontal central plane through a vertically elongated strike plate aperture. The strike plate is vertically positioned so that when the door or window is slid into closed position and the lock stile is moved into abutment with the jamb, the latch hook projects through the registering central aperture. Then, when the latch is elevated by actuation of the locking lever the hook interferes with the upper back surface of the strike plate and prevents separation of the lock stile and the jamb.

Abstract: A locking adaptor assembly for a hollow meter box having a cover. A supporting element having an annular retaining shoulder is clipped to the flange of the box. A conventional bolt type lock is inserted through an aligned hole in the cover and through the supporting element where it is held in place to lock the cover firmly to the box.

Abstract: A metal reinforcing plate is arranged beneath the usual striker plate in a routed recess of the wooden door jamb. The reinforcing plate has integral anchoring prongs which are driven into the wooden jamb immediately ahead of the stop rail and has additional anchoring and locator tabs which are received at the side walls of the bolt receiving recess or socket in the door jamb. The reinforcing plate is substantially concealed from view while imparting to the door structure substantial extra strength against forceable entry.

Abstract: A break-away door lock assembly for use in minimum security areas. The assembly consists of a door lock keeper assembly which includes adjustable pressure pads bearing upon and maintaining a door lock keeper plate in proper coactive position. Thus, the pressure structure can be pre-set to enable opening of the locked door by application of some extraordinary pulling force when occasion might arise that there is no key, or that the door is locked from the inside or the like, and it is necessary to open the door immediately.

Abstract: A security device for preventing unauthorized separation of a door from a cooperating buck assembly, in which first and second plate members are respectively carried by the door and the buck assembly and cooperate with each other to prevent movement of the door in a lateral direction when the door is closed. The first plate member is of unique configuration and is arranged to interlock with adjoining structure on the second plate member to keep the door from moving in its plane. In certain embodiments a Z-shaped support element separate from the plate members is mounted on the buck assembly in juxtaposition with the second plate member, and in some cases either the first plate member or the second plate member includes a pivotally supported cam element which moves into cooperating relationship with the other member as the door reaches its fully closed position.

Abstract: A lockset has a die cast, monolithic body pivotally supporting a lever handle which upon actuation and through fingers engages tabs of a lock bolt assembly for selective linear retraction of the latter. A rotatable knob carried by the body through a spindle and a guide plate mounts a cam plate which acts, upon rotation of the knob in either direction, to retract the bolt assembly. The bolt has opposed U-shaped guides which receive the guide plate and guide the bolt laterally and vertically. A lock has a lock lever which positively engages the bolt assembly to lock the latter in place. A follower lever and the lock lever are pivoted about a common axis. The follower responds to a barrel lock between two positions to lock and unlock the lock lever from the bolt assembly. The lock lever also responds to a latch pin independently of the follower on the opposite side of the lockset from the barrel lock, to lock and unlock the bolt assembly.