Abstract: A child-proof latch for preventing access by young children to drawers, cabinets and the like.

Abstract: A printer ribbon cartridge mounting assembly includes a printer cartridge having a resilient cantilevered tab with a stepped surface which is arranged to push against a portion of a mounting bracket. The bracket also has an opening which accommodates a portion of the stepped surface, thereby locking the cartridge in place.

Abstract: A tilt latch for a window sash including a base member mountable on a sash and a slide member disposed for sliding movement in a channel formed in the base member and resiliently biased toward an extended position in which a nose-shaped first end of the slide member engages a window frame to prevent the sash from tilting out of the frame. A downward projection formed on a second end portion of the slide member interferingly engages an end edge of the base member to arrest movement of the slide member at the extended position, but this second end portion of the slide member is dimensioned to enable the projection to be lifted manually out of such engagement so that the slide member can be moved beyond the extended position.

Abstract: A one-piece molded plastic quarter-turn fastener is provided for releasably latching a panel to a cabinet. A generally disc-like body has a flanged and slotted stem axially extending therefrom to be snapped into a hole in the panel. Projecting radially from the body is a latching lip for engaging and disengaging a cabinet. A positioning boss is provided to permit a quarter-turn rotation of the fastener with a detent provided at each rotational limit.

Abstract: A single molded plastic part forms the actuator, the latching beam and the retainer for holding the latch mechanism in position, and also provides detented open and closed positions. The latch mechanism can be used with the door or closure for an opening in a housing, such as the battery door for a small portable electronic device. The one-part latch has an actuating button on one side of the door which cooperates with resilient retainer tabs to hold the latch in movable engagement with the door. An integral latching beam may extend on the other side of the door and be movable to a position to latch the door. Indentations on the beam, or on another part of the latch, can cooperate with a detent cam to hold the latch mechanism in released or open, and latched or closed positions. The latch mechanism can be either slidably or rotatably movable for the latching operation.

Abstract: A fuel tank lock for use with a conventional filler neck of an automotive vehicle. The filler neck has a baffle plate formed with a constricted passage normally closed by a biased-shut valve carried by the baffle plate. The valve is forced open when engaged by an unleaded fuel nozzle. The upper end of the filler neck is provided with a conventional fuel tank cap. The fuel tank lock includes a body provided with a key operated lock and a shank that extends through the constricted passage. The lock operates a latch that engages the underside of the baffle plate to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of the lock from the filler neck.

Abstract: Noise prevention devices in an automobile door locking apparatus, which include a resilient cover mounted to a latch, a spiral torsion spring mounted to a shaft of said latch, and other resilient means. Said cover lessens striking noise between said latch and an automobile door striker and also between said latch and a ratchet for locking the former, and also acts to lessen rubbing noise between said latch and a cover plate of the apparatus housing. Said torsion spring cushions also, in addition to biasing the latch, to prevent the rattling of said latch.

Abstract: A detachable latch for a container is arranged to snap fit into a latch pocket and operate with minimal or no frictional interference in releasing a projecting bolt member from a closure position wherein it projects through a slot in the container cover. In a first embodiment, the base of the latch member abuts the pocket wall and is restrained from upward displacement by a wing-slot engagement. A retainer blade projects forwardly from the upper half of the latch to a location above a retainer shelf of the container body to preclude downward displacement of the latch. At least one nub projects upwardly from the shelf to provide minimal contact with the underside of the blade if the blade is inadvertently lowered into contact with the shelf. To open the container, the latch is flexed about its base by pushing the upper part of the latch into the pocket, thereby removing the bolt at the top of the latch from the cover slot.

Abstract: A lock structure especially useful for locking a cabinet cover to a bottom plate makes it possible to integrate and separate the cabinet cover and the bottom plate quite easily, and also secures the cabinet cover and the bottom plate quite tightly to prevent any play between the two.

Abstract: A slideable closure construction comprises a frame having a track with a pair of closures slideably mounted therein. The closures include interior end edges which abut in a closed position, and are spaced apart in an open position. A male latch member extends continuously along the length of the end edge of one closure, and a female latch member extends continuously along the end edge of the other closure. The male and female latch members form a snap lock which securely interconnects the two closures in the closed position, and simultaneously forms a weatherproof seal therebetween.

Abstract: In a door lock with spring bolt and dead bolt the lock follower body injection molded from thermoplastic synthetic resin is rotatably mounted in the lock case and resilient in itself without bias and without being influenced by any spring force when by radial movement of the lock follower body a plurality of legs extending therefrom bears against retaining pins and develops spring action by bending.The required spring load on the tumbler is effected by the provision of a free leg at the tumbler which rests unbiased against a stop pin and resiliently bends upon actuation by the key. The mounting of a door fitting at the door panel is facilitated by bores through sleeves provided in the lock case.The inexpensive fabrication permitting at the same time a maximum possible degree of dimensional precision is achieved by making both the lock case and the interior parts from thermoplastic synthetic resin containing no plasticizer. Preferably a polyacetal is used for the interior parts.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock which includes an essentially U-shaped housing, a rotary catch, a locking pawl, and a locking button with the rotary catch being arranged in a plane parallel to the front surface ad cover plate and the locking pawl being rotatably supported beneath the rotary catch. To determine whether a door is properly locked, the locking pawl includes an actuating lever arm which projects beyond a bearing bolt with a microswitch, arranged between the rotary catch and the cover plate, including an actuating spring that selectively cooperates with the actuating lever arm in dependence upon the condition of the door lock.

Abstract: A locking assembly for application to the front door of an upright refrigerator, having magnetic means for yieldably retaining the door in closed position, which includes an elongated locking member having an elongated pivot slot in one end thereof and a locking hook on the other. The assembly also includes a pair of substantially identical pivot and keeper members, both adapted for adhesive securement, the pivot member to the refrigerator and the keeper member to the door. The pivot member extends through the slot in the locking member, while the hook on the latter is engageable with the keeper member.

Abstract: A molded plastic assembly for sliding screen closures employing a body made up of two separate parts which embrace the frame of a sliding screen closure and including an integral deflectable latching finger having an end portion which acts as a stop and which may be locked or unlocked by mere finger pressure against the deformable locking finger in order to engage or disengage from the door frame. The handle assembly employs the resilient characteristics of the material from which it is produced to provide the deflectable latching finger.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a buckle or latch for maintaining a lid in place on a container, such as a vacuum cleaner tank. The buckle includes a mounting bracket attached to the container. The bracket has a slot spaced down from the lid for receiving a hinge pin. The buckle includes a buckle element with a lower end having a hinge pin thereon which is swivelably held in the slot in the bracket. The buckle element has a hook at its upper end to snap over a detent on the edge flange of the lid. An upwardly facing abutment on the swiveling buckle element and located between the hinge pin and the hook is arranged so that it will engage a downwardly facing abutment on the mounting bracket when the buckle is closed. Upon attempted separation of the lid and container while the buckle is in place, any forces on the buckle are transmitted to the abutment of the buckle and then to the abutment on the mounting bracket and not to the hinge pin.

Abstract: A releasable lid clasp device for trash containers or cans, arranged to secure the lids thereof against accidental dislodgment. The device is constituted as an elongate body having a generally transverse groove of suitable radius which defines a pair of facing jaws that are capable of engaging opposite surfaces of the bead of the container lid. The body includes a resilient hinge which enables opening and closing movement of one of the jaws with respect to the other as the hinge flexes. In addition, there is provided a manually engageable extremity portion on the body, by which the user can flex the hinge and thereby accomplish the opening and closing movement of the one jaw. The arrangement is such that a highly satisfactory securement of the lid can be attained, without sacrificing ease of operation or reliability, especially over prolonged periods of use.

Abstract: A molded plastic latch structure for molded two-part receptacles comprising a base and a cover forming a closure for various types of articles, wherein the latch structure includes opposed mounting lug and latching post members adjacent the confronting edges of the receptacle base and cover, and a latching buckle adapted to be secured to the lug member against accidental detachment from the base or cover, wherein the buckle incorporates a flexible bail for releasable engagement with the post member in the closed condition of the receptacle to maintain it in such condition.

Abstract: A luggage lock for locking together the two shells of a luggage case. The lock includes a housing adapted to be mounted in one of the luggage case shells and which is secured to the shell by a threaded cap. A hook member is adapted to be mounted in the other one of the luggage case shells. A button is reciprocally mounted in the housing for movement between retracted and projected positions. A spring is positioned between the button and the cap to bias the button to its outward retracted position. The button includes a locking edge portion which projects into the path of travel of the hook when the case is closed whereby the hook end engages and overlies the locking edge to fasten the lock. The lock is unfastened by displacing the button to its projected position, against the action of the spring, to disengage the hook end from the locking edge to permit the case to be opened.

Abstract: A door locking apparatus which includes a striker member fixed to a vehicle body; a latch member rotatably supported in a main body of a door and engageable with the striker member; a pawl member urged in the direction of the latch member so as to engage with the latch member and limit the rotation of the latch member, wherein the pawl member is provided with an engaging groove at a contacting portion with the latch member; and a shock absorbing member fixedly inserted into the groove.

Abstract: A fastener includes a plastic strike having a rounded flange and a fastener body assembly comprising (i) a plastic fastener body member having an integral raised portion with a cam area; (ii) a plastic handle member having a gripping portion, a central portion having a cam face and an extension portion having a hook-like member; and (iii) means connecting the fastener body member and the handle member to permit translation and rotation of the handle member.

Abstract: A cassette-carrying case having a base and cover joined by a piano hinge which allows the base and cover to be opened a full 180.degree.. Easily operable latches are incorporated into the cover, which automatically lock the case closed when the cover is moved to the closed position. A handle is incorporated into the main body of the base and cover.

Abstract: A latching apparatus for cowls on outboard motors which catches and locks automatically, but can be released by simply pushing with one hand. Two sawtoothed semi-rigid mating parts are oriented with leading edges and mating teeth facing in a manner so that they interfere slightly when mated. As the parts approach each other, opposing teeth ride on each other and slip past one after another until all teeth interlock. Release is accomplished by a slight force transverse to the latching motion, thus disengaging the teeth and allowing withdrawal.

Abstract: A pair of free linkages are disposed in a door latch housing between the housing, the latch bolt, and the latch bolt actuating buttons. Preferably, each linkage comprises a toggle hinge having first and second sides joined by a pivotable connection in a one piece polypropylene construction. The sides of the hinge taper approaching the pivotable connection so the pivotable connection is substantially thinner than the first and second sides. The taper of the first and second sides differs in alternating fashion across the pivotable connection to form a bearing surface alternately on one side of the pivotable connection and the other. Responsive to the movement of a privacy button to its latched position, movement of one of the actuating buttons is prevented without preventing movement of the other actuating button. Responsive to movement of the other actuating button, the privacy button returns to its unlatched position.

Abstract: A molded plastic latch assembly includes a housing adapted to receive a rotatable latch member. The inner end of the latch member includes bifurcated locking tabs received by an opening in the bolt. The locking tabs cooperate with an integrally molded locking pin. The latch member and housing include a cooperative detent construction integrally molded in the housing and latch member.

Abstract: A device for locking the lid of a cassette tape receiving compartment of a cassette tape recorder including a lock member projecting from a portion of the lid and a generally U-shaped lock spring provided at one end of one leg thereof with a first projection engaging the lock member of the lid during opening and closing thereof. A second projection on the one leg of the lock spring engages against a ledge formed in the recorder casing in order to modify the spring force applied by the lock spring against the lid.

Abstract: A novel handle for use in sliding windows and the like formed as a single member and providing the functions of a handle, a catch and a resilient spring release portion which is formed integrally with the handle. The handle includes a surface which may be bonded to the surface of a window light or door by an adhesive while still providing the necessary functions of a gripping handle, a catch and a spring catch releasing mechanism.

Abstract: A gate latch of the type incorporating a pivotally mounted yoke in a latch body and a remote latch actuator handle is provided with an actuator pin and latch body relationship that further restricts the operation of the latch to operation by depressing the actuator handle. A recess in the latch body receives a horizontal segment of the latch pin in the latched position. Repeatable actuation of the latch and proper relatching on closure of the gate is assured by frictional relationship between the terminus of the latch pin and the underside of the latch yoke. The latch pin has a relatively large area in contact with the yoke during operation so that lower hardness materials may be employed. A hardened tapered bushing in the yoke is utilized to insure, capture and entry of the latch pin into the latch bore. The latch operator includes an integral stop to limit the travel of the latch pin so that relatching is assured.

Abstract: An improved latching arrangement is provided for a rigid container having a lid including latching arms pivotally disposed at opposite sides of the container for engaging loops which depend from the periphery of the lid. Each of the latching arms is pivotally mounted to the container sidewall and has a flexible end that interferes, by a bending action, with the container sidewall providing a snap action which retains the latch arm in either a locked or unlocked position. In an alternate embodiment the latch arms are pivotally supported from the loops of the lid, and each have a pivot bar that engages securing hooks extending from the sidewall of the container.

Abstract: An improved door opener and latch device particularly useful for cabinets in recreational vehicles includes a bolt attached to a cabinet door and engageable either with a strike housing attached to the frame for the door or with a control plunger member attached to the frame. A hidden control plunger in the frame releases the bolt from the strike.

Abstract: A plastic door lock makes use of moldable plastic material for most of the individual parts with opposite roses adapted to interlock with each other and be held together with a single screw on the axial center line of the knobs and accessible from the outside. A lost motion connection between the latch bolt and spindle allows the door to be closed without damage to the latch bolt when the inside knob is locked. Inherent resiliency in the material of the latch bolt case formed into spring fingers, in cooperation with the movable latch bolt shaft, releasably returns the latch bolt shaft to, and holds the shaft in extended position. Under some circumstances spring action of the fingers is supplemented with an auxiliary separate spring element to vary the spring return characteristics of the latch bolt and the knobs.

Abstract: A door latch makes use of moldable material for most of the individual parts with opposite roses adapted to interlock with each other and be held together with a single screw on the axial center line of the knobs and accessible from the outside. Prior to installation of the latch on the door each knob is subassembled with the corresponding rose by employment of an arcuate shoulder on an inner central portion of the knob which is rotated to a position of engagement with a complementary arcuate shoulder in the rose. Rotation inhibiting detents prevent accidental disassembly until the spindle is mounted in place and the spindle then locks the knob against disassembly as long as the latch remains mounted on the door.

Abstract: A catch comprising a plunger member and a guide member, the plunger member being able to reciprocate in the guide member, with a nose of the plunger member extending out of the guide member, each of the members being a single moulding of a plastics material, one or both members including one or more tongues which extend primarily in the direction of relative reciprocation of the members and are resiliently flexible transversely to that direction, each tongue engaging a cam or a tongue on the other member in such a manner that forces act on the tongues having components parallel to the direction of relative reciprocation of the members, in the sense which urges the members towards a limit of relative reciprocation at which the extension of the nose out of the guide member is greatest, and if the nose is displaced into the guide member and released, then the plunger member returns to the said limit.

Abstract: A latch assembly for use with a tackle box or other container is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a latch top segment, a latch bottom segment and a receiver, all of which may be manufactured by injection molding. The latch assembly includes the feature that no separate pins or rivets are required either to assemble the components or to attach the latch assembly to the container with which it is employed.

Abstract: Described is a latch assembly designed to be affixed to and to secure together two closure members at their abutting edges. A flexible portion of a latch body allows the latch to snap over and then engage a keeper when the edges of the closure members are brought together. For unlatching, a push button actuator is incorporated to cause the flexible element to flex outwardly, thereby releasing the latch from engagement with the keeper and permitting separation of the closure members.

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: A cassette container having a latch member connected to the top of the container by an integral, flexible hinge which latches against a pair of pins on the bottom of the container, the pins incorporating slots which receive a plastic locking seal therethrough to prevent an opening of the latch without destruction of the seal.

Abstract: An overcenter type latch for relatively movable members includes a retainer of molded plastic secured to one member and having spaced recesses adjacent one end thereof and a striker adjacent the other end thereof. An operating handle has spaced abutments adjacent one end thereof received within the retainer recesses for pivotal movement of the handle between an overcenter latched position and an unlatched position. An elastomeric link is pivoted to the operating handle and to other member. The link is tensed when the handle is in latched position and extends between the spaced recesses and abutments. A manually operated latch integral with the handle cooperates with the striker to block movement of the handle to unlatched position unless the latch is manually released.

Abstract: A looseleaf binder mechanism having a pin-and-slot mounted shiftable latching slide provided with novel positive detenting means comprising an elastomeric washer mounted on the pin and cooperable with a protuberance formed on the latching member intermediate the ends of the slot, to thereby hold the latching member detented in its respective shifted end positions.