A low profile actuating window lock for casement windows having a longitudinal slot in a sidewall of the casing for the lock, wherein an actuator including a fork component translates within the slot in a direction opposite movement of the handle, the handle pivotable about a restrictor arm that pivots relative to the casing, allowing the handle to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position with low clearance from the window frame. The pivot points of the handle and restrictor arm configuration allow for an over center linkage that prevents back driving the casement window lock.

Disclosed is a closure for a door of a shipping container. The closure includes a housing, an outside handle pivotally mounted relative to the housing, an inside handle pivotally mounted relative to the housing, and a catch connected to the inside handle. The closure is configured so that movement of the inside handle between a first position and a second position causes corresponding movement of the catch. A locking mechanism can releasably fix the inside handle relative to the outside handle, such that when in a locked position rotation of the outside handle causes corresponding rotation of the inside handle and when in an unlocked position the inside handle can be rotated independently of the outside handle.

An entryway system has at least one door having access hardware on both sides. The access hardware on both sides each have a first handing position that operates a latch and a second handing position that prevents latch operation. In response to a sensed condition, such as a trigger from a metal detector or other sensing device, one or both of the access hardware can be selectively re-handed from the first handing position to the second handing position.

A tie bar and guide assembly for casement windows having a roll form tie bar that snaps on to the tie bar guide without extending through it. The tie bar has locating openings that engage tabs on the tie bar guide to locate and secure the guide prior to installation. The tabs are depressed and disengaged when fasteners are used to secure the tie bar assembly to the window frame. The tie bar can include rivet locking points located close to the top and bottom of the tie bar to provide better security and increased stability for preventing water and air infiltration. The rivet locking points can be adjustable to optimize the fit of the window sash within the frame. The snap-on design reduces the overall height of the tie bar assembly thereby enabling a closer fit of the sash within the frame and reducing the required width of the window frame needed to accommodate the locking mechanism.

Self-latching Automatic Flush-bolt for double doors is disclosed. This flush bolt invention eliminates the need for auxiliary coordination devices and allows for the unrestricted movement of each door to maintain security and building code compliance.

A washing machine includes: a case defining a receiving space and an open surface, a drawer provided in the case and configured to slide out through the open surface of the case, the drawer being configured to perform at least one of a washing operation, a rinsing operation, a spin-drying operation, or an air-drying operation for laundry, and a locking device configured to limit a sliding motion of the drawer relative to the case. The locking device includes: a holder provided on an inner wall surface of the case, a lever provided in the drawer and configured to be inserted into the holder, and an elastic member provided in a portion of the holder to which the lever is inserted and configured to come into contact with the lever in a space between the holder and the lever.

A magnetic latch for fastening a closure member to a support. The magnetic latch comprises a keeper assembly including a magnet and a latch bolt assembly having: an elongated frame (32); a latch bolt (14) moveable between a latching position and a retracted position; a latch bolt biasing member urging the latch bolt into its retracted position; and a latch bolt operating mechanism configured to move the latch bolt from its latching position to its retracted position against a magnetic attraction. The latch bolt operating mechanism comprises: an effort link rod (37); a load link rod (34); and a second-order lever (35) interposed between the effort link rod and the load link rod. The second-order lever reduces the force required to operate the latch bolt operating mechanism thus allowing for an increased magnetic attraction of the latch bolt towards the magnet in the keeper assembly.

A contact-minimizing door opening and closing system for a door has a handle including a shaft with an endplate disposed on the shaft opposite the handle and a latch bolt including a pin positioned to contact the endplate. The pin prevents movement of the handle when the latch bolt is extended from a lock housing, and allows movement of the handle when the latch bolt is retracted into the lock housing. An engaging and disengaging mechanism couples the handle to a locking pin such that movement of the handle is configured to operate the engaging and disengaging mechanism to lock the door.

A latching system for securing a door to a panel includes a pawl having a first end that is configured to releasably engage a striker on the panel, and a second end opposite the first end having a connector. A pawl connector is connected to the connector on the second end of the pawl. The pawl connector includes a hollow cylindrical body having a longitudinal axis, a revolved outer side wall extending about the longitudinal axis, an open end through which the connector of the pawl is positioned, an opening defined on the revolved side wall of the cylindrical body, and a deformable portion formed on the revolved outer side wall. The deformable portion extends between the open end and the opening. The deformable portion is configured to elastically deform upon inserting the connector through the open end until the connector is non-removably seated within the opening.

A latch mechanism is disclosed. The latch mechanism has a first member, and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member, the second member being rotatable in a first direction between a first position and a second position. The second member contacts the first member and is received by the first member when the second member is in the second position. The first member includes a shape memory alloy portion. The shape memory alloy portion is movable between a first shape when in a first state and a second shape when in a second state. The shape memory alloy portion moves from the first shape to the second shape based on a temperature of the shape memory alloy portion exceeding a threshold transition temperature of the shape memory alloy portion.