Abstract: A back cover lock mechanism of a camera. The camera has a camera body that includes side walls, a front surface arranged to incorporate a photographing lens, and a back cover that is pivoted to the camera body. The back cover lock mechanism has a first hook member provided at a predetermined portion of the back cover, and a second hook member provided inside one of the walls of the camera body. The second hook member is arranged to detachably engage the first hook member. A covering member for movably supporting the second hook member is provided inside one of the side walls of the camera body. A supporting member supports the covering member, the supporting member being provided inside one of the side walls of the camera body so that the second hook member is placed between the covering member and one of the side walls, whereby the second hook member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

Abstract: A luggage catch has a catch part having an edge, a tongue pivotally mounted on the catch part, extending downward past the edge thereof, and having a pair of oppositely outwardly directed sides, and a strike part having an edge and formed with a seat opening at the strike-part edge and having a pair of oppositely inwardly directed sides generally complementary to and fittable with the sides of the tongue below the catch-part edge in a closed position of the catch with the edges engaging each other. Retaining formations in the strike part and on the tongue engage each other in the closed position of the catch for holding the tongue in place in the seat.

Abstract: A camera battery storage container is opened and closed by a battery lid which holds a manually operable lock member including an engaging finger engagable with a retaining member on a camera housing. When the engaging finger is disengaged from the retaining member, the battery lid can be opened, giving access to a battery chamber defined in the camera battery storage container. The battery lid has an integral holder by which the manually operable lock member is slidably held.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking a case having a first part and a second part that close together along a first edge of the first part and a second edge of the second part, comprising a housing portion mountable in the first part adjacent the first edge, a latch portion positioned in the housing portion and capable of slidable movement within the housing portion from a first position to a second position displaced from the first position, and a biasing spring positioned between and adapted with respect to the housing portion and the latch portion to bias the latch portion into the first position. A catch is connected to the second part of the case and extends in a direction from the second edge of the second part toward the first edge of the first part.

Abstract: A garment bag formed by two fabric walls hinged together along one side edge and enclosed on the remaining edges by a slidable fastener. A carrying strap having a wide foam-backed pad distributes the weight when shoulder carrying a loaded bag. When folded upon itself, it has a hanger spanning adjoining edges and secured in a retainer loop. A retainer flap overlies the hanger and loop to keep the hanger in the loop. A waterproof pocket is formed integrally with one of the bag walls.

Abstract: The slide latch gravity lock of the present invention includes means which prevent the lock from opening when the article with which the lock is utilized is in its vertical position. When the article is moved from its horizontal position to a vertical position, a ball located within the lock mechanism moves by gravity from a first position wherein it does not restrain movement of the slide latch to a second position where it does.

Abstract: A handle-latch mechanism is described for use in a portable carrying case of the type having an openable cover portion (e.g., a portable computer case). The handle is movable between extended and retracted positions. The latch for the case is releasable only when the handle is in its retracted position (e.g., latch actuators are movable only when the handle is in its retracted position). The handle and latch mechanism may be located in eithe the cover portion or the main body of the carrying case.

Abstract: A doubler channel is provided for the main top wall support frame in a carrying case. The doubler channel extends vertically a substantial distance for increasing the beam strength of the top walls of the carrying case. A latch mechanism is proivided wholly outside of the support frame of the top wall of the carrying case. The support frame and doubler channel are all easily assembled without the need for screws or nuts and bolts. The latch mechanism conceals and anchors the ends of the doubler channel.

Abstract: Garment bags often include a door hook depending from the strap at one end of the bag to hold the bag in an extended linear condition while suspended from the top edge of a door or the like. It has been known to use this hook and strap combination to hold the garment bag in a closed or suitcase configuration. While such closure systems have been somewhat effective, such systems have been known to inadvertently release the door hook. Such closure systems have had substantial aesthetic and manufacturing problems. The disclosed closure system includes a door hook retainer loop patch which is simple to manufacture and forms an interesting and pleasing design element of the overall bag. This patch comprises a rectangular patch base fixedly attached to one end of the garment bag. This patch base has a length of webbing passing in a sinuous path through a series of aligned slots to present an aligned series of equal sized and spaced hook retaining loops.

Abstract: A carrying case such as an attache case or the like, in which one of its panels is foldable to provide access to its interior without having to open the entire panel. A clamp means secured to the side of the case swivels between two positions, one to hold the panel rigid and prevent it from folding, and the other to hold one portion of the panel closed and permit the other portion to fold open. The carrying case according to the present invention permits access to the interior of the case without having to open the case entirely, thereby significantly increasing its versatility over a standard carrying case.

Abstract: A tape cassette case has a main wall, a cover wall, with peripheral walls which extend from each, and a hinge formed from a back wall to connect the main wall to the cover wall. A locking means is provided and comprises a slider member slidably mounted onto a support member that forms part of one peripheral wall. The locking means is biased away from the one peripheral wall in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider member by coil springs and pins. There are two projecting members projecting from the other peripheral wall, so that when the case is closed, the slider member may be slid in one direction to engage with the projecting members, thereby locking the main wall and the cover wall together, when the slider member is moved in the opposite direction the slider member is disengaged from the projecting portions, thereby allowing the case to be opened.

Abstract: A locking device for use on suitcases comprising two keepers, each having a lateral notch and with an outermost surface inclined to form a cam, two lock-staples inside of which are engaged the keepers, latch hooks pivotally mounted in the lock-staples, which hooks are adapted to engage in the notches provided in the keepers under the action of elastic members when the suitcase is in its closed position, the latch hooks being connected to an opening control bar and to a locking bar, both bars being mounted for axial sliding movement inside a housing of the suitcase.

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: Latch for a hinged plastic box wherein a flexible plastic slide fits around the shoulders of a T-shaped rail projecting from the cover part of the box. A tab projecting from the container part of the box fits into a notch in the rail, after which the slide is moved along the rail to latch the cover part to the container part. A detent on the slide then is snapped into place against the rail to provide second latching action.

Abstract: A blow-molded plastic container base and cover portions formed of double wall construction are hinged together for movement between open and closed positions with respect to one another. A latch assembly is provided for positively locking the cover portion in a closed disposition. The latch assembly includes an elongated bolt means slidably mounted within a trough-shaped groove in the front of the cover portion. The cover and base further include formed portions which matingly engage with one another upon closing of the cover and which include aligned locking apertures. Upon closing of the cover portion, the bolt means may be slid axially into the aforesaid apertures to positively lock the cover and base together. The bolt means further includes a detent means extending radially outward and which may be rotated into a cut-out portion in the trough-shaped groove when the bolt is engaged within the locking apertures.