Abstract: An improved deadbolt lockset is provided in which one of two different backset distances is facilitated in a single latch assembly. At least one planar side plate coupled to a deadbolt extension is provided and is slidably contained within a hollow latch case. Movement of the side plate determines the distance from the face plate of the assembly to the axis of an actuating assembly. The latch case includes slots formed therein for positioning the actuating assembly and to allow movement of the side plates.

Abstract: Improved low profile over-center toggle latch having a latch arm with an internally threaded latch barrel nut for adjustable cooperation with a threaded latch draw bolt. The bolt is pivotally coupled to a latch handle assembly. The latter comprises projecting sidewalls and a grip end. The latch handle assembly is mounted by means of integral flanges cooperating with journals defined in a mounting stirrup, the latter being mounted on the container body.

Abstract: A door handle mount for a door having a rotatable spindle for operating a latch includes a lever handle cantilevered on the spindle and a trim plate having a spring resiliently biasing the spindle to seek a home position. The home position sought by the trim plate spring may be changed by relocating a movable stop. The user selectively biases the home position of the spindle to accommodate the cantilevered weight of the lever handle, to alter the bias from one direction to the other, or to temporarily cancel the bias during installation of the latch mechanism and trim.

Abstract: A striker is temporarily fixed to a member by inserting its one end into a slit formed in the member. The other end portion is securely fixed to the member by means of a screw which extends through an elongate slot formed in the other end. An adjustment of the striker can be carried out easily by removing an adjustment portion formed integral with the member around the slit or an adjustment portion formed integral with the striker on a wall adapted to be engaged by the edge of the slit defining wall of the member.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing an emergency exit door includes a bolt for engaging a keeper, a dogging mechanism for dogging the bolt and a fluid throttling device disposed between the bolt and dogging mechanism. An electrical timer is connected to the dogging mechanism by a solenoid and starts to count upon an attempt to open the door. After a predetermined time interval has run, the electrical timer releases the dogging mechanism and allows the door to open. If the electrical timer fails to release the dogging mechanism, the door will still open if pushed due to operation of the fluid throttling device, which slowly shortens under pressure, allowing the bolt to clear the keeper.In order to readily align the keeper with the bolt, the keeper is loosely mounted and guided into alignment with the bolt by a bevelled guide. Upon being latched by the bolt, the keeper is held rigidly between the guide and the bolt.

Abstract: An adjustable draw latch of the over-center type for latching two closure members has a tension-link cover which is detachably secured pivotally at one end to a keeper mounted on one of the closure members. The cover is secured pivotally at its other end to one end of an adjustable compression link. The other end of the compression link is pivotally attached to a base bracket mounted on the other closure member. The adjustable compression link includes an internally threaded nut which is pivotal within the base bracket, and a T-shaped member having an a cross head of cylindrical shape and an externally threaded stud which extends from the cross head at right angles thereto and is threaded into the pivot nut. The cross head is pivotally secured within the cover at one end thereof. The cover provides a bearing surface for the cross head.

Abstract: A fastener to removably secure two panels consists of a spring-loaded toggle latch (catch unit) on one panel and a keeper plate (strike) with a keeper lip on the other panel. The toggle latch comprises a pivot bracket with a flat base plate and opposite upstanding side ears, a pivotable operating lever (handle) and a pivotable hasp member (draw bar) having a downwardly turned lip at its free end to engage the keeper lip. The three members of the toggle latch are solely joined by left and right single-turn coiled torsion springs which spring-load the hasp member. In one embodiment the flat base plate of the pivot bracket has two openings, each with a series of staggered indentations forming pairs of indentations, which indented pairs are differently spaced from the edge of its panel, to permit adjustable mounting of the pivot bracket on its panel.

Abstract: A reciprocatory device in the form of a roller door catch has a reciprocatory plunger slidable in a fixed tubular housing and retained therein by an adjustment member. The plunger is urged to a normal resting position by a compression return spring. At its outer end the plunger rotatably supports a catch roller engageable with a recessed keeper mounted on the door frame. The adjustment member has a stem portion which projects into a blind bore at the inner end of the plunger, and this stem has radial stub projections which engage with a helical rib providing a screw thread within said bore, with a clearance in the axial direction approximating to the normal range of plunger reciprocation on door opening and closure. The adjustment member has a head portion with a frusto-conical clutch face which frictionally engages a mating clutch face at the inner end of the housing.

Abstract: A lock assembly including a novel retaining strap for securing a lock cylinder within the assembly. The lock assembly is designed so that one of two different degrees of bolt extension can be chosen during assembly of the device. In addition the assembly incorporates a dowel pin to increase the strength of the joint between the lock bolt and a lock bolt extension connected to the lockbolt.

Abstract: An air/smoke/fire damper including a frame and a pair of damper blades pivoted for rotation within the frame between an open and a closed position, and comprising a heat responsive latch including mounting straps associated with each of the damper blades; a fusible link engaging one of the mounting straps; and a hook pivotally associated with the other mounting strap and extending over the edges of the damper blades and into engagement with the fusible link. Also, a locking mechanism for restraining the blades in the closed position upon release of the heat responsive latch, and a retaining lug for preventing blade buckling in the closed position.

Abstract: A bolt unit for providing different amounts of backset has a bolt housing detachably joined to any one of several subframes made up of pairs of identical side plates of different length. A bolt, reciprocable in the housing, is actuated by mechanism supported on the subframe, that mechanism including one of a selection of hooks of different lengths corresponding to the different backset lengths.

Abstract: A lock used for folding walls, doors and boards in which a bolt of the lock, moved in translation by a system, is joined at one end to the board and at the other end to the bolt. For keeping the bolt in its fully unlocked or fully locked position, the bolt has a leaf spring acting on the part of the system joined with the bolt so that the bolt and this toggle part are kept in an in-line position in the unlocked or locked condition of the bolt.

Abstract: A lock assembly including a novel retaining strap for securing a lock cylinder within the assembly. The lock assembly is designed so that one of two different degrees of bolt extension can be chosen during assembly of the device. In addition the assembly incorporates a dowel pin to increase the strength of the joint between the lock bolt and a lock bolt extension connected to the lockbolt.

Abstract: A door latch for storm and screen doors having pre-drilled bolt receiving openings therein by which the latch housing are secured to opposite sides of the door. One of the latch housings has a plurality of openings therein and the other housing has a pair of inserts each having an inwardly extending internally threaded mounting post adjacent one end thereof and projecting through one of the openings in the door for receiving a threaded bolt inserted through an aligned opening in the other housing. The inserts are reversible end-for-end to vary the spacing between the mounting posts thereby to adapt the latch for use on doors having differently spaced bolt openings therein.

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 panic exit door locking mechanism in which a manually operable panic exit actuator device is mountable on the inside face of a hinged door having a tubular narrow stile frame along its swinging edge; top and bottom adjustable bolt mechanisms at the upper and lower ends of the frame are connected by length-adjustable rod structures, concealed in the narrow stile frame, with a pair of gear connected actuating levers that are operable by means of a drive shaft having a slip-joint connection with an actuating shaft of the panic exit device. The top bolt mechanism includes a keeper secured to an exposed wall of a door frame header by screw actuated inner and outer clamping members. A latching member carried by the door is movable into a keeper latching position when the door is closed, and to a keeper non-latching position when the door is opened. The top bolt is utilized to dog the latch in its keeper latching position.

Abstract: An improved locking bolt mechanism. The locking bolt mechanism comprises guide means, a lock bolt, and means for adjustably mounting the lock bolt to the guide means so that the lock bolt can be easily adjusted relative to the closure it is mounted on.

Abstract: A gate latch in which a latch bar and/or latch body are adjustably mountable so as to allow repositioning thereof when such repositioning might be required, for example, as a result of misalignment of the gate structures due to sagging, etc. The locking bar may be provided with a plate fixed to a gate structure and have a plurality of paired apertures which are alignable with a pair of apertures in the bar. Thus, the locking bar may be adjustably positioned with respect to any given pair of apertures on the plate. The latch body may be adjustably mounted in a housing mounted on a gate structure. The housing may have portions which overlap the normal mounting flanges on the latch body. A pair of oppositely directed, opposed bolts may be threadedly mounted in flanges on the housing so as to cooperate with opposed surfaces on the latch body. When the body is to be vertically adjusted, one bolt can be loosened and the other tightened.

Abstract: A manually operable latching device for use in securing a truck door in the open position during the loading and unloading process. The latching device comprises a cantilevered latching plate affixed to a truck trailer door and a pinning assembly secured to the frame of the truck at a location substantially adjacent the plate when the door is in the open position. The pinning assembly comprises a bushing bracket, a U-shaped rod moveably mounted within the bracket, a safety stop plate, and a spring attached to one end of the rod for exerting a compressive force between the rod and the bracket when the rod is moved relative to the bracket. The other end of the rod positively engages the plate to secure the door in the open position.

Abstract: An adjustable and releasable locking device for a removable vehicle roof panel is disclosed. A rotating lever longitudinally projects a pair of tapered pins which mate with apertures in the windshield post and headliner. The transverse and vertical position of the tapered pins is adjustable to position the panel relative to other parts of the vehicle and provide a smooth transition between the vehicle roof and the removable panel and provide an adequate seal between the vehicle and the removable panel.

Abstract: A positive locking device for mounting to lightweight structures and doors, such as found in mobile homes, wherein the device comprises a bar-locking assembly which is mounted to a door, and includes a bar-receiving frame section generally mounted to a fixed structure associated with the door to be locked. The bar locking assembly includes a mounting plate having a sleeve to slidably receive an elongated bar therethrough, the bar including a longitudinal adjustable head member and a plurality of aligned holes to receive separate locking devices, whereby the bar is locked from longitudinal movement after the bar is received in the bar-receiving frame member.

Abstract: A safety device for doors comprising a cylindrical housing going through to the door, a locking pin to be locked in the housing and a chain one end of which is locked to the pin and the other end being attached to the door frame. The housing is attached to the door by means of two flanges, one on each side of the door, the spacing of which is adjustable.

Abstract: A latch for ovens and the like includes a latch subassembly movable between latching and unlatching positions, a high temperature locking pawl engageable with the latch subassembly at a preselected elevated temperature to block its movement to unlatching position, and a thermal element which moves the locking pawl into blocking position. First adjustment means is provided to engage the locking pawl during its movement from a nonblocking position to the blocking position so as to locate its abutment surface in a predetermined position in the path of movement of the latch subassembly. Second adjustment means is also provided and is engageable with the locking pawl during its movement from blocking position to non-blocking position so as to locate the abutment surface on the pawl in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An adjustable, multipivot aircraft panel latch featuring a means for adjusting the latch tension after the panel is installed without the necessity of opening the latch. This is accomplished by an adjustment screw mounted on a yoke member in operative engagement with the latch arm. By the particular arrangement of components, the latch arm may be adjusted relative to a keeper on the aircraft structure by rotating the screw with a conventional drive tool inserted through a small opening in the top of the latch housing.

Abstract: A flush mounted latch, particularly suited for aircraft, and including a housing, which also serves as a handle and a hook latch, engagable with a keeper, the handle-housing having a first pivotal axis and the hook latch having a second pivotal axis. Between the two axes is disposed a tension adjustor externally accessible without disengaging the hook latch from its keeper for causing the hook latch to exert an optimum retaining force on the keeper.

Abstract: A latch of the bolt type for use with windows or doors includes a plate member disposed slidably within a latch housing and has engaging means thereon for engaging with the handle of a latch bolt to hold the latter in its extended position. The plate member can be moved in a direction in which the latch bolt is slidable and can be secured relative to the housing by means of a screw, whereby the length of projection of the latch bolt is made variable.

Abstract: The bolt of a door latch or lock is made laterally adjustable to ensure both proper latching operation upon closing the door and also reasonably firm engagement of the catch with the fixed stop to ensure firm holding without vibratory or rattling movement. The adjustment is accomplished by adjusting the angle of emergence of the bolt with respect to the latch structure, e.g., the bolt case. The adjustment capability allows greater tolerance in the mounting of the latch upon the door.

Abstract: An improved door and drawer lock or latch having special utility in recreational vehicles, boats, emergency vehicles and the like is disclosed. The door lock comprises a latch housing having at least one toothed rack gear assembly, a pinion gear member and an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is rotatably disposed in the pinion gear and extends outwardly therefrom. A retractable bolt member is also disposed in the latch housing and has an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, the bolt engages a strike plate mounted on the frame or stile of the cabinet. The bolt member is coupled to the rack such that movement of the rack in a predetermined direction causes the bolt to move into the retracted position. A door knob is also coupled to the latch housing by an elongated hollow stem which extends circumferentially about the shaft member.

Abstract: An adjustable, flush mounted, over-center hook latch of the type employed to secure aircraft panels. The effective length of the latch arm is adjustable to correct misalignment of the components joined by the latch by moving the pivot axis of the latch arm relative to the fulcrum axis of the latch handle. This is accomplished by a pair of cooperating yoke members, one of which is mounted about the pivot axis and the other about the fulcrum axis and are slidable relative to each other by a driver. By the particular arrangement of the parts, the latch can be adjusted when installed and in its closed position by the driver being engaged with a conventional drive tool extending through a small opening in the latch handle.

Abstract: A latch assembly is disclosed which is operative to retain a movable closure member in position with respect to an adjacent fixed wall member, and includes a handle member pivotally mounted to the closure member with an arm extending generally along the handle member beyond the pivotal mounting thereof for engaging the fixed wall member at one end thereof. An adjustable member is mounted on the end of the arm for adjusting the engagement of the end of the arm with respect to the wall member. An overcenter tension member is pivotally connected at one end to the closure member and the other end to the arm for biasing the arm into tight engagement with the fixed wall member when the latch is in the latched position.

Abstract: An externally accessible adjuster, particularly suited for adjusting the tension of a keeper shaft as applied to a hook type latch forming a part of a flush type latch assembly, the keeper shaft being screwthreaded and receiving a screwthreaded wheel having a set of radiating slots exposed in sequence through an access opening formed in the wall of the structure utilizing the flush type latch assembly. Two embodiments are illustrated, either one of which may use an opening which may be arranged to receive the latch handle, or a separate opening; also, either adjuster may be arranged to utilize a helically coiled frictional element or a yieldable detent.