A lock mechanism for interengaging two relatively movable components includes a bolt mounted within a first component and interengageable with a second component when the first and second components are in a predetermined position relative to each other and the bolt is extended. A magnetically-releasable latch mechanism is positioned to latch the bolt in a retracted position and is mounted for movement between a biased latch engaging position and a latch releasing position in a non-common direction of movement of the bolt. A first magnet is disposed within a trigger being translatable along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bolt and a second magnet is positioned to displace the latch mechanism to the latch releasing position as the trigger is caused to translate vertically when the first component is in the predetermined position relative to the second component to permit displacement of the bolt to the extended position.

A door silencing mechanism and methods to eliminate latch noise associated with a door latch having a spring latch bolt and a bolt housing are described. This mechanism and methods can include an actuator having a first end and a second end and moveable between a first position and a second position. This mechanism can also include a device coupled to the first end of the actuator to maintain the spring latch bolt within a bolt housing using the second end of the actuator when the device holds the actuator in the first position and to release the spring latch bolt from within the bolt housing by moving the second end of the actuator in response to the actuator moving to the second position in response to contact with a doorjamb.

A door silencing mechanism and methods to eliminate latch noise associated with a door latch having a spring latch bolt and a bolt housing are described. This mechanism and methods can include an actuator having a first end and a second end and moveable between a first position and a second position. This mechanism can also include a device coupled to the first end of the actuator to maintain the spring latch bolt within a bolt housing using the second end of the actuator when the device holds the actuator in the first position and to release the spring latch bolt from within the bolt housing by moving the second end of the actuator in response to the actuator moving to the second position in response to contact with a doorjamb.

An electric latch retraction device for vertical rod door latches includes an automatic adjustment feature including a limit switch and a linear sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, which detects vertical position. A microcontroller monitors the vertical position of a pivoting retraction lever driven at the pivot by a linear driver. The housing for the electric latch retraction device is preferably external to the door and one end of the retraction lever extends into the door to drive a vertical rod door latch mechanism while an opposed end contacts the limit switch to signal that continued driving of the linear driver will begin to drive the vertical rod door latch. The microcontroller determines from the vertical position of the retraction lever when the limit switch is actuated whether the electric latch retraction device is mounted too high or too low.

A magnetic self-latching device for a gate has a main body with handles on either side for operation or has an arrangement to be remotely actuated. A latching body has a high strength magnet usually provided at the bottom of a cavity which defines a latching shoulder. The latching body is adapted to be fixed to a gate post. The main body, with its housing, can be mounted on the gate frame and incorporates a latch pin which, in the door-closed position, is displaced by magnetic attraction to an extended latching position and against the biasing of a return spring. The gate cannot be opened until actuation of the mechanism occurs, for example by rotating a handle to retract the pin against the magnetic force; the gate can then be swung open. When the handle is released, the biasing spring retains the latch pin in a retracted position.

A magnetic self-latching device for a gate has a main body with handles on either side for operation or has an arrangement to be remotely actuated. A latching body has a high strength magnet usually provided at the bottom of a cavity which defines a latching shoulder. The latching body is adapted to be fixed to a gate post. The main body, with its housing, can be mounted on the gate frame and incorporates a latch pin which, in the door-closed position, is displaced by magnetic attraction to an extended latching position and against the biasing of a return spring. The gate cannot be opened until actuation of the mechanism occurs, for example by rotating a handle to retract the pin against the magnetic force; the gate can then be swung open. When the handle is released, the biasing spring retains the latch pin in a retracted position.

This invention discloses a lock that set on a suitcase of being opened or closed without using a zipper, which including an operating component and a locking component that are separately-mounted; the operating component is set on a non-border position of the suitcase, and the locking component is set on the border of the suitcase, wherein the locking component comprises at least one locking unit, the force transfer between the operating component and the locking component is provided by a force transmission mechanism that connected between the operating component and the locking component; the operating component comprises an operation member, and the locking unit comprises a lock head and a lock hook, wherein driving the operation member can drive the lock head or the lock hook to move through the force transmission mechanism, to lock or unlock the lock. This invention also provides a suitcase provided with the lock as described above. This invention set the operating component and the locking component separately, which solves the problem that the lock can only be installed on the border of the suitcase, and only the locking component needs to be installed on the border of the suitcase, while the operating component can be installed at any position of the suitcase other than the border.

A bin latch system. A bin latch mechanism that has been designed with weight, number of components, simplicity of operation and installation as main design drivers. The bin latch utilizes spring loaded rods that are ‘pulled’ to release the locking subassemblies. The rods lock two sets of interlocking housings in place. Due to the nature of the rod actuator, the design is binary in nature and needs both sets of interlocking housings to be secured before the interface handle can go to ‘full close’ position. Additionally, there is no rigging necessary at install. Once the assembly is in secured in place, it is ready to be operated.

A bin latch system. A bin latch mechanism that has been designed with weight, number of components, simplicity of operation and installation as main design drivers. The bin latch utilizes spring loaded rods that are ‘pulled’ to release the locking subassemblies. The rods lock two sets of interlocking housings in place. Due to the nature of the rod actuator, the design is binary in nature and needs both sets of interlocking housings to be secured before the interface handle can go to ‘full close’ position. Additionally, there is no rigging necessary at install. Once the assembly is in secured in place, it is ready to be operated.

A multi-point locking arrangement is provided. The multi-point locking arrangement includes a primary lock bolt and an auxiliary lock bolt offset from the primary lock bolt. The multi-point locking arrangement, in an embodiment, uses a single actuation motion to transition between locked and unlocked states. The locking arrangement may also include a lockout device that prevents transitioning from the unlocked state to the locked state when the lockout device is not actuated. The locking arrangement may include a biased auxiliary strike plate that cooperate with the auxiliary lock bolt to provide improved alignment and a tighter seal.