Abstract: A deadbolt lock and a deadbolt which will extend automatically whenever a container is locked by virtue of a rigid portion of the container engaging a trigger element extending from the end face of the bolt and causing the release of an outer bolt portion is shown and described herein. The release of the outer bolt of the bolt assembly allows the outer bolt to project outwardly and to lock the container notwithstanding the fact that the bolt has not been reset by the operator of the lock. The bolt is self-contained and can be substituted into many existing lock mechanisms of the mechanical type and into some of the existing electronic dial combination locks, to provide the auto-locking enhancement.

Abstract: A latch device, which is especially adapted for an exit bar, incorporates a trigger assembly. When the latch device is retracted and released, as ordinarily occurs when the door is opened, the latch bolt is biased to an intermediate extended position. The trigger engages the rim of the strike plate which in turn releases a retainer arm and allows the latch bolt to project to an extended position within the strike thereby providing a latch function of high integrity.

Abstract: A solenoid operated locking means is mounted interiorly of a garage door, so as to provide additional security. The locking means includes a link and bar arrangement connected to the solenoid for opening a normally closed hasp that cooperates with the bar of a locking staple fixed to the top of the garage door. Additionally, if needed, the locking bar of the staple may be manually opened by removing a dowel pin held in position in the staple by means of a frangible element that may be easily broken and replaced, as desired.

Abstract: A latch has a housing, a main bolt displaceable in the housing between a fully extended position projecting fully from the housing and a retracted position generally withdrawn into the housing, and a spring engaged between the main bolt and the housing for urging the main bolt with a predetermined spring force into the fully extended position. At least one secondary bolt is similarly displaceable relative to the housing between an extended and a retracted position. A lockout mechanism in the housing connected between the main bolt and the secondary bolt prevents the secondary bolt from being displaced from its withdrawn into its extended position except when the main bolt is in its fully extended position. The bolt is engageable in a keeper provided with a spring-loaded flap that inhibits the bolt from extending thereinto into its fully extended position and that normally retains it in an intermediate position.

Abstract: A combined closing and airing fixture or latch for a door (10) of a refrigerator cabinet comprises a handle (12) which can keep the door closed by means of a hook. An element (20) is arranged on the handle (12), which element is adjustable relative to the handle so that the element (20) can keep the door (10) ajar in an airing position by means of a hook (22).

Abstract: A venting arrangement for an automotive vehicle is provided in which its rear closure is automatically raised to a slightly open position in response to opening a door of the vehicle so that upon closing the door, entrapped air in the vehicle can escape through the rear to reduce door closing effort. The arrangement includes a latch and pull down mechanism for the rear closure of the vehicle to move the same between a partially open and a closed position and a control means including door jamb switches for energizing the pull down unit to raise the rear closure to its partially open position in response to opening movement of the door and to return the same to its fully closed position in response to closing of the door.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment depicted, the invention comprises a limb, having a depending lug, fixed to a door. The lug makes a close clearance, near engagement with a socket-retainer fixed to a door-interfacing mullion. The upper end of the mullion is foreshortened, and addressed to a free space; it is slidably engaged with an internal socket. Accordingly, in the event of fire, the mullion may freely extend vertically, due to the heat. Such free extension causes the socket-retainer, and the depending lug, mutually to engage. By this arrangement, the door is secured closed, on the exposure to severe heat, even if the normal latching and/or locking device therefor comes loose or disengaged. The method comprehends fixing the mullion at one end, securing it against angular movement, exposing the other end to a free space, and mounting to the closure and mullion locking components which come into engagement only in response to thermal extension of the mullion.

Abstract: A bolt is conventionally reciprocal in a stationary casing with each being formed of longitudinally telescoped parts and with the parts of each being bayonet joint connected. Each bayonet joint connection is comprised of a projection of one part selectively movable in a pair of longitudinally spaced, transverse slots separated by a longitudinal slot in the other part, whereby each may be selectively longitudinally adjusted the same determined amount for increasing or decreasing the backset distance between the forward extremities of the casing and the latch operator transverse axis the same determined amount. The transverse cross sections of certain slidably reciprocal mating parts of the bolt and casing are formed generally mutually rectangular so that rotational movements of one during the backset adjustment will positively require the same rotational movements of the other.

Abstract: A lock housing is adapted to be mounted at the free vertical edge of the inactive one of a pair of hinged doors that have adjacent vertical edges when both doors are closed. Slidably mounted in the housing is an axially movable shaft that extends vertically therefrom and has a normally retracted latch bolt mounted on its outer end. Operatively connected to the opposite end of the shaft is the inner end of a rocker arm, the central part of which is pivotally connected to the housing on a horizontal axis. A cam pivotally connected on a vertical axis to the housing normally projects from it for engagement by the free vertical edge of the active door for swinging the cam into the housing to swing the rocker arm vertically in order to project the latch bolt from a horizontal edge of the inactive door. The rocker arm is so mounted in the housing that it will be moved by the cam bodily away from the free edge of the door if the shaft cannot move, whereby the mechanism will not be damaged.

Abstract: A door lock, requiring no penetration of a door leaf for unlocking from the outside, comprises a keeper secured to the inner surface of the door leaf, a housing slidably articulated to the keeper by two pivot studs, and a detent on an adjoining door post engageable by a pair of spring-loaded levers in the housing whose fulcra are a pair of pins normally immobilized by a retaining disk. With the door closed and the detent engaged, the housing fits around the keeper and can move away from it to a limited extent, allowing the door to be opened slightly, unless a handle on the housing is turned into a latching position engaging a bolt fixed to the keeper. Unlatching of the door from within, by reverse rotation of the handle, also disengages the levers from the detent so that the door can be opened wide. When the door is opened from the outside, its leaf is held ajar by the housing whose handle cannot be rotated in this position since the levers are blocked by the pivot studs.

Abstract: A flush bolt mechanism is disclosed for latching the inactive one of a pair of swinging doors, the mechanism functioning to latch the closed inactive door in response to closing of the other door. The latch mechanism includes a bolt that is driven home by cam and spring assemblies. A heat-responsive mechanism is provided for retaining the bolt in its extended position when the heat-responsive mechanism is subjected to a temperature and for a time sufficient to melt one of its components. A release mechanism may be provided for retracting the extended bolt in response to a force of preselected magnitude applied against the inside of the inactive door.