A lock including: a retractable knob; and a knob release mechanism for retaining the retractable knob in a retracted position, the knob release mechanism retains the retractable knob in the retracted position until a motor of the knob release mechanism is actuated by an input provided to a keypad located on a surface of the lock.

A deadbolt cushioning system includes: a deadbolt cushioning structure attached to a door frame so that when a door with a fully extended deadbolt closes from a wide open position toward a closed position the extended deadbolt impacts the deadbolt cushioning structure. The deadbolt cushioning structure for preventing the extended deadbolt from impacting the door frame and for preventing the extended deadbolt from impacting a strike plate attached to the door frame. The deadbolt cushioning structure may include at least first and second telescoping housings with a biasing structure (e.g., foam and/or spring) provided therebetween. When the deadbolt impacts the deadbolt cushioning structure the biasing structure compresses and the second housing slides relative to the first structure and moves toward the face of the door frame to which the first housing is affixed.

An apparatus that at least assists in maintaining a lever or knob of a lock device in a relatively neutral and static position. The apparatus includes a biasing element that can be constructed from a compliant material that may at least assist in reducing impact forces between interfacing surfaces at least when the lever or knob is returns to the neutral, static position from one or more activated positions. The compliant nature of the damper can further alleviate issues relating to manufacturing tolerances and wear between interfacing surfaces.

A door opening system with a deceleration mechanism may be adapted to control an opening of a door module that includes a door panel and a door frame. Deceleration mechanism may include strap that connects door panel with door frame, spool, and spool. Spool may receive one end of strap, is biased to roll up a first portion of strap, and adapted to perform a first unwinding of the first portion of strap. Spool may receive a second end of strap, is biased to roll up a second portion of strap, and adapted to perform a second unwinding of the second portion of strap from spool. Spool may include a braking apparatus that is adapted to decelerate the second unwinding when a velocity of the second unwinding is above a predetermined threshold.

The present invention relates to an improved carabiner system, including an impact-dampening cushion around the external surface of the frame for cushioning damage during a fall or collision and to reduce sound from loose or swinging carabiner collisions. Additional surface routing and through holes provide improved register between the carabiner frame and the over-molded cushion layer.

A door latch assembly is provided with enhanced acoustic dampening characteristics, and includes a door bolt assembly having an inside barrel and an outside barrel configured for accommodating reciprocal sliding action of the inside barrel between a latch position and a release position. At least one barrel acoustic isolator is associated with at least one of the inside barrel and the outside barrel, and is configured for dampening sound generated by the reciprocal action.

A lock, including: a retractable knob; and a knob release mechanism for retaining the retractable knob in a retracted position, wherein the knob release mechanism includes a damper with a gear that is slidably received within a set of grooves located in the retractable knob, and wherein the gear prevents rotation of the retractable knob unless it is in an extended position.

A door latch mechanism including a latch housing, a bolt having a proximal end with a head and a distal end having a latch, a hub including a central bore for receiving a spindle, a lever actuated by rotation of the hub, the lever including a slot in a top portion of the lever receiving the head of the bolt such that the lever and the bolt move together in both rearward and forward directions.

A lock and a home appliance having the same are disclosed. The lock includes a holder provided at one selected from between the cabinet and the door, a housing provided at the other selected from between the cabinet and the door, a first stopper provided at the housing, a fastening unit separably coupled to the first stopper so as to be coupled to the holder when separated from the first stopper, an actuation unit configured to reciprocate in the housing, the actuation unit being configured to be moved away from the introduction port in the state of contacting the holder when the door is moved so as to close the introduction port, the actuation unit being configured to separate the fastening unit from the first stopper while being moved away from the introduction port, a first elastic member for providing force necessary to move the fastening unit away from the introduction port when the fastening unit is separated from the first stopper, a second elastic member for providing force necessary to move the actuation unit toward the introduction port, and an actuation unit lock for fixing the actuation unit to the housing when not in contact with the door and releasing coupling between the actuation unit and the housing when in contact with the door.

An apparatus including a chassis assembly having a housing, a spindle rotatably mounted to the housing, a spring collar rotatably mounted to the housing, a first biasing element rotationally urging the spindle toward a spindle home position, and a second biasing element rotationally urging the spring collar toward a spring collar home position. The apparatus may further include a handle mounted on the chassis such that the chassis biases the handle to a handle home position with a return torque. The handle is engaged with the spindle such that the first biasing element contributes to the return torque. In certain embodiments, the handle may further be engaged with the spring collar such that the second biasing element contributes to the return torque.