Abstract: In a lock device in which a lock device main unit is operated from an operating handle via a single interlinking cable, provisions are made so that the releasing operation of the lock device main unit by the operating handle can be accomplished with a small force, and also that switching from a locked condition to an unlocked condition can be made reliably. An operating member for performing the locking, unlocking, and releasing operations and a switching member for performing switching between the locked and unlocked conditions are interlocked by using an interlocking member provided on the switching member and a guide portion and releasing portion provided on the operating member.

Abstract: A device facilitating operation of a doorknob, comprising a tubular body member having a continuous wall with an outer gripping surface and an inner surface defining bore adapted for receiving the doorknob. A plurality of resiliently deformable projections extend inwardly from the inner surface of the wall. A distance between opposing projections before installation of the device on the doorknob is smaller than a cross dimension of the knob. Each projection has a pair of spaced end portions formed integrally with the inner surface of the wall. The outer gripping surface of the continuous wall includes a generally curved section between each pair of spaced end portions before the device is installed on the knob. Deformation of the projections upon installation of the device on the knob causes the spaced end portions of each projection to spread apart and embrace an outer periphery of the doorknob.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a latch is disclosed that impedes opening the latch by those, regardless of age, who lack the necessary mental acuity. The latch includes a release mechanism that requires two vertical slide members to be displaced in a first direction and held in that displaced position before a horizontal slide member can be displaced in a second direction that is not parallel with the first direction. The horizontal slide member is connected by a cord with a latch portion of the mechanism. When the horizontal slide member is displaced in the second direction, the latch portion is released from engagement and the latch is itself opened.

Abstract: A lock device includes a frame which has an opening and a fixed portion internally provided therein. A lid member is hinged to the frame, the lid member being rotatable between an open position and a closed position, the opening of the frame being opened by the lid member at the open position and closed by the lid member at the closed position.

Abstract: A door latch assembly (10) for a glove box door (12) includes a pivot plate (16) mounted on the door and a latch handle (18) pivotally mounted on the pivot plate to move selectively between a latched position and an unlatched position. The handle (18) has a catch (20,22) to engage the glove box enclosure (14) when the latch handle is in a latched position, and disengage from the enclosure when the handle is in an unlatched position. A pair of specialized torsion springs (24) is molded to the pivot plate (16) to bias the latch handle (18) and the catch (20) into the engaged position.

Abstract: A locking handle for a refrigerator includes a mounting element rigidly secured to a refrigerator door, a hand grip rigidly secured to the mounting element, and a latch attached to the mounting element. The latch has a catch movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and an actuator operably connected to the catch for moving the catch from the locked position to the unlocked position. The latch provides a positive lock which is actuated to an unlocked position with a manipulation separate from pulling the hand grip but has an actuator located near the hand grip so that it can be manipulated by a hand grasping and pulling the hand grip. In a first embodiment, the catch is integrally molded with the mounting portion and is laterally deflectable away from a retainer mounted beside the door. In a second embodiment the catch is a vertically extending spindle which is downwardly movable away from a retainer mounted above the door.

Abstract: This invention discloses a handle arranged for driving operation of an axle about an operation axis thereof, the handle including a first element operatively associated with the axle and extending in a first plane perpendicular to the operation axis; and a second element mounted onto the first element and being pivotably mounted with respect to the axle about a second axis lying in the first plane, the second element being arranged with respect to the operation axis so as to be not centered about the axis.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for selectively securing a movable panel to a stationary member. The latching mechanism includes a latch for attachment to the movable panel and a striker for attachment to the stationary member. The latch includes an actuation arm having a blade and a base plate defining an aperture. The striker includes a post having a bulbous end disposable in the aperture and a slot extending inwardly from the bulbous end. The actuation arm is coupled to the base plate for movement between an engaged position where the blade is operably disposed in the slot and a released position where the blade is operably removed from the slot.

Abstract: A locking slide latch comprises components that are easily assembled without the need for separate fasteners or adhesives. A presently preferred latch comprises a housing, a pawl received within the housing and an actuating member associated with and slidable relative to the housing for displacing the pawl from an extended position to a retracted position. These components are assembled together without the use of separate fasteners or adhesives, thereby simplifying assembly and allowing for interchangeability of parts to meet varying latch requirements. The latches are preferably manufactured from corrosion resistant materials such as plastics, composites and corrosion resistant metals, and are highly suitable for use in automotive, recreational vehicle and marine applications.

Abstract: A sliding-action slam latch for securing a door panel, especially a hinged door panel, in closed position with a latch body constructed of one piece and carrying a spring which is installed therein; the latch being installed in a single opening in the door panel and is self-retained therein. The latch operates by spring-biased sliding action to engage the door frame or striker place. The spring bias is provided by a separate spring member and the latch is further provided with a spring guide to facilitate installation of the spring into the latch. A method of assembly of the latch is also provided.

Abstract: A door locking system for child-safety door locking systems on an automobile door including a latch and a door lock mechanism. The door handle is incapable of unlatching the door when the locking mechanism locks the latch. The locking system includes a door panel having an opening for receiving the lock lever in a guard lock mode when moved to its locked position so that the lock lever is substantially recessed within the door panel. The lock lever and the door panel are constructed such that the lock lever cannot be accessed through the opening for manual movement back to its unlocked position. In the normal lock mode, the lock lever is not received within the opening in the door panel in the locked position so that it is accessible for manually moving the lock lever to the unlocked position. A key lock interconnects the lock lever and a lock rod for selectively actuating the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A locking slide latch comprises components that are easily assembled without the need for separate fasteners or adhesives. A preferred latch comprises a gripable base member having a spring member mounted thereon, a locking member rotatably mounted on the spring member and a rotatable lock plug mounted in the spring member and contacting the locking member. These components are assembled together without the use of separate fasteners or adhesives, thereby simplifying assembly and allowing for interchangeability of parts to meet varying latch requirements. The latches are preferably manufactured from corrosion resistant materials such as plastics, composites and corrosion resistant metals, and are highly suitable for use in automotive, recreational vehicle and marine applications.

Abstract: Improvements in child-resistant latches which require adult length fingers to operated include a spring loaded movable shield covering the finger hole and separating the inside from the outside of the cabinet so items in the cabinet are not accessible through the finger entry hole, a variable length finger passageway which can be changed without jeopardizing the basic security of the cabinet, and means of clarifying operating instructions by identifying the inside location of the latch operating lever on the outside of the door.

Abstract: A locking slide latch comprises components that are easily assembled without the need for separate fasteners or adhesives. A preferred latch comprises a gripable base member having a spring member mounted thereon, a locking member rotatably mounted on the spring member and a rotatable lock plug mounted in the spring member and contacting the locking member. These components are assembled together without the use of separate fasteners or adhesives, thereby simplifying assembly and allowing for interchangeability of parts to meet varying latch requirements. The latches are preferably manufactured from corrosion resistant materials such as plastics, composites and corrosion resistant metals, and are highly suitable for use in automotive, recreational vehicle and marine applications.

Abstract: A lock assembly for locking a control lever in a neutral or non-active position includes a lock mechanism having a locking pin and a locking bracket for receiving the locking pin. The locking bracket is secured to the control lever and prevents the lever from moving when the locking pin is engaged with the bracket. The control lever controls a work function of a work machine and the lock assembly prevents unintentional activation of the control lever.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for facilitating connection between a first housing and a second housing. The locking mechanism mounted in the mounting region of the second housing and includes a plunger mounted for movement up to an extended position, a biasing device urging the plunger toward the extended position, a catch spring, and a release button having a ramp, such release button being mounted on the second housing for back and forth movement in a direction transverse to the direction of the plunger and along a path that brings the ramp into contact with the catch spring when the release button is moved forward.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle door (10) has a door lock mechanism (18) mounted therein which is mechanically operated by a door lock button assembly (24) between a lock position and an open position. The door lock button assembly (24) has a control rod (28) connected on one end (32) to the door lock mechanism (18) and is non-threadingly retained on the other end (34) to a button member (26) so as to permit the control rod (28) to pendulumingly swing a predetermined angle (.beta.) with respect to the longitudinal axis (50) thereof and to allow the button member (26) to rotate around the longitudinal axis (50) so as to prevent binding when moving through an opening (45) in a trim panel (12) of the vehicle door (10).

Abstract: An electric load center having an enclosure with a push-in screw holder fixture, a door latch comprising a one-piece molded member having a flexible tongue which urges the door latch toward the hinged door edge keeping a hook biasedly engaged with an underside edge of the trim, a neutral bar having an elongated body portion with a trapezoidal shaped cross-sectional area with outwardly sloping downward extending side walls having apertures for insertion of electrical wires, a neutral tie bar adapted to be electrically connected to the enclosure of the load center, a main lug insulator having trough-shaped longitudinally extending compartments and first and second support legs for positioning over the neutral tie bar, a basepan having a surface with integrally formed posts with an undercut extending around its periphery for securing a component of the load center to the surface by heat staking, the surface having two spaced apart integrally formed wall members extending upward from the surface forming a barrier

Abstract: A sliding, door latch has a latch member and a spring member integrally molded in one-piece. The latch member, which can be secured in a latch opening in a thin door panel without the use of tools, includes a planar base member which covers and slides reciprocally in the opening. An integral actuator extends traversely from the back of the base member through the opening and has integral bosses on its sides which form grooves engaging tangs in the sides of the latch opening. An integrally molded latch finger projects from the actuator toward the door panel edge. The spring member includes a first pair of spaced apart elongated elements integrally hinged to the actuator, a second pair of elongated elements integrally hinged at one end to the first pair, a beam integrally hinged to and connecting the other ends of the second pair of elongated elements, and a hook integrally molded to the center of the beam and engaging the rear edge of latch opening.

Abstract: A container having a body and a cover, in which the cover can be conveniently opened using only one hand from a latched state of the body and the cover. Engaging members between cover and body are movable under force, when the cover is closed, between an engaging position where the cover is engaged with said body and a releasing position where the cover is not engaged with the body. However, the engaging member cannot be returned to the engaging position while the cover is closed. Lock means prevent the engaging member from moving from the releasing position to the engaging position in spite of application of force. Once the cover is opened the engaging member moves from said releasing position to said engaging position.

Abstract: A hatch for a boat or other application is provided. The hatch includes a frame for mounting in an opening in a panel and a hatch cover pivotally mounted thereto. The cover includes a hinge pin that pivotally engages a hinge receptacle mounted on the frame. A handle is slidably mounted in the hatch cover and includes a latch that releasably engages the frame when the hatch is in a closed and latched position.

Abstract: A latch mechanism attaches an access door to a frame. The frame has a horizontally extending ledge with an opening formed therein. A pin is rigidly attached to the frame spaced apart from the opening. A latch opening is formed in the access door. A lever is pivotally mounted on the pin and has an end which integrally forms a wedge-shaped latch member, and a part of the lever engages the frame to form a pivot axis about which the lever pivots. A spring is mounted on the pin and is biassed to hold the lever in a position wherein the latch member is received by the latch opening when the door is in a closed position. The lever is comprised of a flat metal strip including a bent portion which pivotally engages the frame and includes a first section which extends between the latch member and the pivot axis. The lever includes a second section which is positioned on the other side of the pivot axis and which is normally spaced apart from the frame.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for an instrument delivery system having a base, a slide tray, movable relative to the base between an opened position and a closed position, wherein the latching mechanism comprises: an actuating unit, including a push button mounted on the slide tray, for moving a member from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the push button from an extended position to a depressed position; and a latching unit for latching the slide tray in at least one of the opened position and the closed position when the member is in the first position and for unlocking the slide tray when the member is in the second position.

Abstract: A lock box is provided with a locking cover held locked by a locking element. The lock mechanism is operated by the fingers of a hand actuating individual tumblers, one for each finger, simultaneously. The fingers push against the tumblers and the distance they push them is determined by the length of the fingers which are held by interdigital stops. The tumblers are spring biased against the finger motion. Each tumbler is provided with a stop and pass mechanism that is adjustable along the length of the tumbler to correspond to a particular finger length so that the pass elements of each tumbler will all be aligned to permit passage of the locking element when a particular hand actuates the mechanism, whereas hands of other elements will position at least one of the stop elements so that the locking element cannot pass and the container remains closed.

Abstract: A tamper resistant lock construction for a door, drawer, or similar closure is disclosed. A lock bolt releasably locks the closure. A plurality of finger openings are provided, each finger opening adapted to receive a finger. At least one actuator in each finger opening is positioned to be selectively operated by a finger inserted into the finger opening. The lock bolt is released only in response to the actuation of a preselected combination of the actuators.

Abstract: The latch (100) includes a catch (102) having a beveled edge (102A). An aperture (104) receives a downward force to release the catch from the lip (106A) of a housing (106). A stop (108) limits the downward movement of the latch. A retaining tab (110) traps the latch within the door pocket and limits the upward movement of the latch. The retaining tab includes a beveled surface (110A) to facilitate the insertion of the latch into the pocket. A cantilever spring (112) exerts an upward force on the latch when compressed. The latch, including all of its associated parts, can be plastic injection molded in a single-action mold. The door (200) includes a substantially parallelepiped pocket (202) having an opening at the top to receive the latch. The pocket includes a front aperture (202FA) in the upper, front surface (202F) of the pocket, and a rear aperture (202RA) in the lower, opposing rear surface (202R).

Abstract: A recess is formed in the outside of the door and a fluid filled bladder such as a tubular hose is mounted in the recess. The bladder has an integral bellows portion formed on the end thereof which is distended from the bladder when pressure is imposed thereon by the vehicle user. A linkage is operably connected to the bellows portion of the bladder and adapted to release the door latch upon distention of the bellows portion from the bladder.

Abstract: A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member in at least one position with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door), with the base lying in a plane which is generally parallel to the plane established by the cage door. A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions, with the appendage outer regions being configured to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e.

Abstract: A latch or lock enabling a hinged burglar bar gate to be opened by a person on the interior of the protected building. Intruders cannot reach the lock. It includes a housing with an opening for hand engagement. In the opening, a spring supported lock member is pushed by hand to unlatch. Hand operation is constrained by the housing deployment, limiting use to a person near the housing and on the interior of the burglar bar gate.

Abstract: An apparatus can be used in an appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer having a housing, a door, and a gasket for sealing the door and the housing, the housing having a contact strip, the apparatus including a handle connected to the door by two webs, the handle having a door opening member which is movably supported by the handle, the door opening member including first and second actuating latches respectively disposed adjacent each of the two webs, the first and second actuating latches each contacting the gasket for lifting a portion of the gasket away from the contact strip, wherein the door opening member can be operated to cause a reliable displacement of the actuating latches relative to the handle resulting in lifting of the gasket.

Abstract: A latching mechanism having utility in securing a pivotable member with respect to a stationary structure. The housing includes a base that is adapted to be mounted adjacent the pivotable member (e.g., a cage door). A pair of spaced flanges is affixed to the base, with each of the flanges extending away from the door and lying in planes which are generally perpendicular to the base. Each of the flanges has two openings which are adapted to slidably receive first and second elongated appendages, with both appendages being slidably held with respect to the housing, and with each appendage having an outer region extending outwardly away from the housing. The two latching appendages are adapted to move in different directions to engage a portion of the stationary structure (i.e., the cage enclosure) so as to hold the cage door in a closed position. The latching mechanism includes a control device for manipulating the appendages so as to slidably move the latching appendages inwardly (with respect to the housing).

Abstract: A door handle in which the handle bar is first pushed inwardly about one pivot axis to permit the user to grip the handle, and then the handle bar is pulled outwardly about a second pivot axis in order to unlatch the door. Springs normally establish the handle bar at a normal position substantially filling the recess and are yieldable to permit the inward swinging movement of the handle about the first pivot axis and the pulling of the door handle outwardly about the second pivot axis.

Abstract: An opening/closing device for detachably coupling a closure member to the open edge portion of a body includes a locking shaft provided upon the side of the body, a bracket secured to the closure member and having a notch defined therein, an operating lever having an end portion provided with a pawl portion for engaging the locking shaft within the open end region of the notch, and spring means provided upon the operating lever for biasing the pawl portion in the direction of engagement with the locking shaft. When the closure member is set upon the body, the notch is engaged with the locking shaft. The closure member is closed relative to the body by the engagement of the notch and pawl portion with the locking shaft. When the closure member is opened in a cantilevered state, this device serves as a hinge. By operating the operating lever against the biasing force of the spring means so as to disengage the pawl portion from the locking shaft, the closure member is separated from the body.

Abstract: A door locking knob structure for a vehicle has a push-button provided on the side of a knob main body which faces the inside of the compartment of the vehicle in such a manner that the push-button is movable together with the knob main body. When pressed, the push-button is withdrawn into the knob main body so as to define a finger receiving recess which allows an occupant of the vehicle to apply his finger thereto and raise the knob main body. Accordingly, when the door is in a locked state, the push-button makes the finger receiving recess disappear, and there is no gap between the push-button and the knob main body. Thus, it is possible to prevent any accidental or undesirable unlocking of the door.

Abstract: A door handle assembly adapted to be mounted upon a deadbolt lock assembly so that said door handle assembly forms a part of the deadbolt lock assembly. Preferably, the door handle assembly includes an outside door handle member mounted upon the outside face of the door and surrounding the lock cylinder and an inside door handle assembly mounted upon the inside face of the door and surrounding the turn-key of the deadbolt assembly.

Abstract: A window latch that includes a handle portion secured to the window and a generally U-shaped latch member that is secured to the frame. The U-shaped latch member defines a projection in engagement with the handle to retain the window in the closed position. To open the latch, the legs of the U are moved toward each other to disengage the projection from the handle to permit the window to be moved to the open position.

Abstract: A latching assembly particularly well suited for being mounted on the outside of an insulated door without having to disturb or reduce the insulating material, and which is concealed from view by a channel-like handle used for opening the door. The latching assembly includes a helical cam that rotates as the handle pivots and further includes a follower that is driven by the helical cam parallel to the axis of rotation. The latch bolt is attached to this follower, whereby pivoting motion of the handle is converted into translational motion of the latch bolt.

Abstract: A door handle assembly is mounted at the belt line of an automobile door and includes a box-like recess formed in the door with a slide member mounted in the recess for vertical reciprocal movement. A handle member is pivotally attached to the upper edge of the slide member and conforms to the contour of the exterior panel of the door. A linkage connects the slide member to a door latch mechanism.

Abstract: A cabinet lock has an elongate body. An operating handle is connected to the body for pivotal movement about an axis that extends transverse to the length of the body. The body slidably mounts (1) a spring-projected latch bolt for linear movement along a path of travel that substantially parallels the axis of pivotal movement of the handle, and (2) an operating member for linear movement along a path of travel that substantially parallels the length of the body. The handle has a formation that drivingly engages the operating member for moving the operating member from a latched position to an unlatched position in response to pivotal movement of the handle from a nested position to an operating position.

Abstract: An automotive door handle container which is formed by and on an escutcheon fixedly attached to a door panel, for normally containing a pivotable handle piece. The escutcheon is formed at a slightly lower level than the inside edge of the handle piece for covering a small idle gap between the handle piece and the escutcheon to prevent harmful physical damage to the operator's finger nail otherwise occurring during manual handling of the handle piece.

Abstract: A combination lock and latch mechanism for an access panel. The latch mechanism includes a biased latch part which is located behind the panel and accessible through the panel.

Abstract: A metallic anti-intruder type gate, particularly adapted for use in windows offering access to a fire escape. The gate includes an outer frame element permanently installed within a window frame, and a hinged gate element supported by the frame and maintained in locked position relative thereto by a sliding bolt. The door is formed to include a rectangular peripheral frame and metal lattice which avoids adequate ventilation and light consistent with mechanical strength. The sliding bolt is shielded to permit access thereto for operation only from that side of the door facing the interior of the building in which it is installed.

Abstract: A composite safety lock for a door which lock has a passage long enough to prevent access to the actuation mechanism by a child but not by an adult.

Abstract: A child-resistant lock means characterized in that a latch, switch, or like operating member therein adapted to be actuated by the tip of the forefinger is located at the end of an angular passage so that said operating member is inaccessible for operation by the forefinger of a child. The lock means herein is further characterized in that there is a lateral projection thereon adjacent the open end of the angular passage to prevent actuation of the operating member by a slender elongated object such as a stick or pencil.