There is provided an unlocking device, including: a rotating member; a housing; an operating member; and a biasing member. The rotating member includes a pressed portion, and a retaining portion. The housing includes an accommodating portion, an engaging portion that is engaged with the retaining portion, and an opening. The operating member includes a pressing portion, and is slidable in a direction substantially parallel to a rotation plane of the rotating member. The retaining portion and the engaging portion are located within a thickness range of the operating member when viewed in a sliding direction of the operating member.

Provided is a rotation member connecting structure that does not require an operation of connecting a rotation support member and the rotation member to each other and can prevent rattling of the rotation member with respect to a rotation member support member. In the rotation member connecting structure, a rotation support member 10 has a support shaft 20, and a rotation member 30 has a retention part 50. The support shaft 20 has a restriction part 25 that restricts axial movement of the support shaft 20 with respect to the retention part 50 and a sliding part 27 that slides over an inner periphery of the retention part. The rotation support member 10 and the rotation member 30 are made of materials that are not bonded to each other during molding by the resin materials. In the inner periphery of the retention part 50,a portion that closely contacts the sliding part 27 is formed to be continuous in a circumferential direction so that the rotation support member 10 and the rotation member 30 are molded in a connected state.

Provided is a rotation member connecting structure that does not require an operation of connecting a rotation support member and the rotation member to each other and can prevent rattling of the rotation member with respect to a rotation member support member. In the rotation member connecting structure, a rotation support member 10 has a support shaft 20, and a rotation member 30 has a retention part 50. The support shaft 20 has a restriction part 25 that restricts axial movement of the support shaft 20 with respect to the retention part 50 and a sliding part 27 that slides over an inner periphery of the retention part. The rotation support member 10 and the rotation member 30 are made of materials that are not bonded to each other during molding by the resin materials. In the inner periphery of the retention part 50,a portion that closely contacts the sliding part 27 is formed to be continuous in a circumferential direction so that the rotation support member 10 and the rotation member 30 are molded in a connected state.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a selectively operated safety latch having an active mode and a stowed mode. In an illustrative example, a retractable safety latch may include a tongue element extending in a first plane and a base element extending in a second plane. The tongue element, for example, may include multiple mode selection slots. The base element may include a brace slot. For example, one of the multiple mode selection slots and the brace slot may receive a security pin long a longitudinal axis so that a predetermined mode is selected. In the active mode, the tongue element extends away from the base element to releasably engage a striker element. In the inactive mode, the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel such that the tongue element is prevented from engaging the striker element. Various embodiments may advantageously provide quick switching security latch operations.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a selectively operated safety latch having an active mode and a stowed mode. In an illustrative example, a retractable safety latch may include a tongue element extending in a first plane and a base element extending in a second plane. The tongue element, for example, may include multiple mode selection slots. The base element may include a brace slot. For example, one of the multiple mode selection slots and the brace slot may receive a security pin long a longitudinal axis so that a predetermined mode is selected. In the active mode, the tongue element extends away from the base element to releasably engage a striker element. In the inactive mode, the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel such that the tongue element is prevented from engaging the striker element. Various embodiments may advantageously provide quick switching security latch operations.

A door lock for a top loading electrical appliance is provided that includes a latch head for locking a door of the top loading electrical appliance and a limiting mechanism for limiting rotation of the latch head before the door of the top loading electrical appliance reaches a closed position. The latch head is rotatable about an axis and has a latch head unlock position and a latch head lock position. The latch head may rotate between the latch head unlock position and the latch head lock position and the limiting mechanism may be arranged for limiting the latch head from rotating from the latch head unlock position to the latch lead lock position before the door of the top loading electrical appliance reaches a closed position.

A door lock for a top loading electrical appliance is provided that includes a latch head for locking a door of the top loading electrical appliance and a limiting mechanism for limiting rotation of the latch head before the door of the top loading electrical appliance reaches a closed position. The latch head is rotatable about an axis and has a latch head unlock position and a latch head lock position. The latch head may rotate between the latch head unlock position and the latch head lock position and the limiting mechanism may be arranged for limiting the latch head from rotating from the latch head unlock position to the latch lead lock position before the door of the top loading electrical appliance reaches a closed position.

An exemplary damper module is configured for use with a latchbolt assembly, and generally includes a mounting bracket, a first slowing mechanism, and a second slowing mechanism. The latchbolt assembly generally includes a drive member, a latchbolt, and a retractor connected between the drive member and the latchbolt. Each of the slowing mechanisms is independently operable to slow the extension speed of the latchbolt. The first slowing mechanism includes a rack gear and a rotary damper including a pinion gear. The rack gear is configured to be mounted to the drive member, and the rotary damper is mounted to the mounting bracket. The second slowing mechanism includes a slowing arm and a biasing member engaged with the slowing arm. The slowing arm is movably mounted to the mounting bracket and is configured to engage the retractor.

An exemplary damper module is configured for use with a latchbolt assembly, and generally includes a mounting bracket, a first slowing mechanism, and a second slowing mechanism. The latchbolt assembly generally includes a drive member, a latchbolt, and a retractor connected between the drive member and the latchbolt. Each of the slowing mechanisms is independently operable to slow the extension speed of the latchbolt. The first slowing mechanism includes a rack gear and a rotary damper including a pinion gear. The rack gear is configured to be mounted to the drive member, and the rotary damper is mounted to the mounting bracket. The second slowing mechanism includes a slowing arm and a biasing member engaged with the slowing arm. The slowing arm is movably mounted to the mounting bracket and is configured to engage the retractor.

An apparatus is provided for an assembly fixture for positioning a component having a pivot pin including a rigid member, a fixed positioning pin affixed to a first point on the rigid member for insertion in a first locating hole in an assembly, a component restraint affixed to a second point on the rigid member for applying a force to the component for retaining the component in a fixed position and orientation with respect to the assembly fixture, and a pivot positioning pin coupled to a third point on the rigid member by a flexible mounting assembly, the flexible mounting assembly facilitating a linear movement of the pivot positioning pin along a linear path.