A container for use with a vacuum truck includes a container body. The container body defines a door opening and a container closure including a door panel sized to fit the door opening. The door panel is hingedly attached relative to rear frame elements at the hinge side and is movable to occupy the door opening. The door panel defines a drain port under a horizontal beam. The drain port includes a stopcock having an open and a closed state. The stopcock is selectably movable from the open to the closed state or from the closed to the open state. The container body defines at least two additional ports situated above the midpoints of the frames and includes fittings to engage vacuum hoses such that any volume the vacuum truck draws through one of the hoses, the container body draws a corresponding volume through the other of the two ports.

A closing aid for a luggage compartment flap is described, which closing aid comprises an actuating element, a movement element and a connecting element. The actuating element is integrated in a locking mechanism of the luggage compartment flap. The connecting element connects the actuating element to the movement element and transmits a movement of the actuating element to the movement element such that the luggage compartment flap fastened to the movement element is moved at least part of the way from an open position to a closed position. A luggage compartment and a vehicle having a closing aid of this type are also described.

A closing aid for a luggage compartment flap is described, which closing aid comprises an actuating element, a movement element and a connecting element. The actuating element is integrated in a locking mechanism of the luggage compartment flap. The connecting element connects the actuating element to the movement element and transmits a movement of the actuating element to the movement element such that the luggage compartment flap fastened to the movement element is moved at least part of the way from an open position to a closed position. A luggage compartment and a vehicle having a closing aid of this type are also described.

An actuating system for an actuatable door and to an actuatable door having such an actuating system. The actuating system comprises a rotatable latching shaft, a rotatable locking shaft, a latching device, comprising a latch, and a locking device. The latch is adapted to maintain the actuatable door in a closed position. The locking device comprises a locking cam, that is mounted to the locking shaft and that is adapted to engage with the latch in a closed and latched position, and a latch securing lever, that is driven by the locking cam and that is adapted to engage with the latch to maintain the latch in a closed and secured position.

A door latch for a motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a pawl, a release lever, and a clutch selectively engaged by a magnetic field. Further, when the clutch is engaged, motion of the release lever is transmitted to the pawl via the clutch. A method is also disclosed.

Lock apparatus and related methods for use with drones are disclosed. A disclosed drone assembly includes a wing, a keel-beam, an adapter positioned on an end of the keel-beam, and a lock configured to receive the adapter. The lock includes a first lock portion coupled to the wing and a second lock portion rotatable relative to the first lock portion between a first position and a second position. The lock is configured to (a) couple the keel-beam to the wing when the second lock portion is in the second position and (b) decouple the keel-beam from the wing when the second lock portion is in the first position.

A gate assembly has a gate panel with a hinge, a latch assembly, and a base member connected to a wall. The latch assembly has a catch member for engaging the base member when the gate panel is in a closed position, and a channel member for locking the catch member against rotation. The catch member is rotatable about a vertical axis and has an open channel facing the base member. The channel member has an open channel facing downwardly that can be lowered onto the catch member to prevent rotation. The channel member has released positions in which one side of the channel member is above the catch member to allow the gate panel to open, and another side of the channel member remains below an upper end of the catch member to prevent the catch member from pivoting past the latched position when the gate panel is closed.

The inventive subject matter of this application is directed to system and methods that bring about the opening and closing of hatches, doors, windows, or other hinged openings. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter feature one or more levers that are coupled with a motor or linear actuator. Upon activating a motor or linear actuator, a lever coupled thereto (e.g., by a linkage) rotates, taking the system from a locked configuration to an unlocked configurations. In some embodiments, continued actuation brings the system from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

A vehicle hood locking mechanism includes a locking member including a helical portion structured to be insertable into a cavity formed in a vehicle hood. The helical portion is structured to be rotatable with respect to the hood so that contact between the hood and the helical portion during insertion of the helical portion into the cavity causes a rotation of the helical portion from a first rotational position to a second rotational position different from the first rotational position. The locking mechanism is also structured so that the helical portion is rotatable from the second rotational position back to the first rotational position when the helical portion becomes positioned inside the cavity.

A door-lock device for appliances, in particular for dishwashers, is provided. The door-lock device includes a support, and a lock wheel rotationally carried by said-the support around an axis of rotation. The lock wheel comprises includes a hub and a plurality of locking arms that radially protruding protrude from said the hub. The hub comprises may include a plurality of retention surfaces, and at least one retention element. The at least one retention element may be elastically pressed into contact with the hub to hold the lock wheel in a plurality of locking positions.