A lock assembly is disclosed to lock a moveable structure to a fixed structure. The lock assembly includes an electric actuator operable to move a locking lug between first and second axial positions to correspond with a locked and unlocked configuration of the lock assembly. A resilient member can couple the locking lug to the electric actuator and drive the locking lug between the first and second positions.

A domestic appliance (for example, a microwave oven), comprising: a housing; a front door; a retention mechanism (for example including a latch), located within the housing and engageable with the door; wherein the retention mechanism is movable between a first configuration, in which the door is retained in a closed position, and a second configuration, in which the door is non-engaged; an electromechanical actuator (for example a relay), adapted to move the retention mechanism out of said first configuration; and a controller (for example a microprocessor coupled to the relay, the microprocessor being operable in responsive to one or more signals to activate the relay, and thereby release the door from the closed position. Under spring bias, the door thus opens to about 30-45 degrees. The microprocessor-controlled door opening may be operable in three or more modes, including: actuation of a touch switch, remote control, or a microwave end of cooking.

A door lock comprises an electromagnet (410), a latch shaft (320), a crank device (430) and the like. The crank device (430) is connected with the latch shaft (320) and driven by the electromagnet (410) to transform the linear motion of the electromagnet (410) into the rotary motion of the latch shaft (320). When the electromagnet (410) pushes or pulls the crank device (430), a latch head (202) rotates around an axis so that it can move to a locked position or an unlocked position. The door lock (200) of the present invention can transform the linear motion of the electromagnet (410) into the rotary motion of the latch head (202), so that the latch head (202) can be conveniently installed on the lateral surface rather than at an end of the door lock (200). The door lock (200) can be advantageously installed in the middle gap of a front panel (102) along an edge of a control panel of the washing machine (100) to lock the upper cover (101) from the middle part.

The present invention includes various types of open-air display cases for displaying, storing, and/or vending food, beverages, or other products having a movable barrier that can be automatically positioned over an open front or side of such a unit to prevent access to the products therein when temperatures, component failure, lost power supply, or other variables affect the condition of the items stored in the display case, and methods of using such units.

A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door and a check strap pivotally coupled to the door. An engagement member is releasably engageable with the check strap. A spring is positioned to bias the check strap toward the engagement member. When the engagement member is engaged with the check strap, the check strap maintains the door in an open position. When the engagement member is disengaged with the check strap, the door is swung to the closed position under the bias of the spring.

The invention relates to a lock (1) which can be actively released and locked by control technology, particularly for use in automatic storage machines having a plurality of compartments with compartment doors (2) which are to be opened individually, and to an automatic storage machine having at least one such lock (1). The lock (1) comprises a detent pawl (14), which can lock a locking element (9), which is permanently connected to a compartment door (2), in the lock such that the compartment door (2) can be held in closed position. The lock further has a first electric drive element (17) which transitions the detent pawl (14) from the locking position to a release position upon the applying of electrical power, such that the compartment door (2) can be opened. The lock (1) further comprises a security device (32), which prevents an automatic reset of the detent pawl (14) from the release position to the locking position when the lock (1) is in an unpowered state or the automatic storage machine is in an unpowered state, and an unintentional, accidental or improper locking of a compartment door can thus be avoided. In order to properly lock a compartment door, the security device (32) of the lock (1) comprises a second electric drive element, by means of which the detent pawl (14) can be transitioned back to the locking position thereof upon the applying of electrical power to said second electric drive element during closing of the compartment door (2).

A locking apparatus for a rollup door, comprising a striker member, latch assembly including a latch, a release lever, a trigger, a cam and a solenoid. The latch assembly may also include a limit switch for detecting when the latch assembly is in an unlocked position. The locking apparatus can be electronically unlocked or it can be unlocked manually by a user by actuating the solenoid which causes the latch to release the locked striker member.

A lock system for an enclosure comprises a locking mechanism selectively disposed in a locked or unlocked position. A first blocking pin prevents the locking mechanism from being moved to the unlocked position when disposed in a first blocking position via a first biasing mechanism. A solenoid mechanism imposes a force on the first blocking pin when in an energized state so that the first blocking pin is placed in an unblocking position. A second magnetizable blocking pin remains in contact with the first blocking pin when the solenoid mechanism is in an unenergized state. A second biasing mechanism biases the second blocking pin toward an unblocking position. During normal operation, the secondary biasing mechanism maintains the second blocking pin in its unblocking position so that the second blocking pin is separated from the first blocking pin when the solenoid mechanism is in the energized state.

An appliance body of a refrigeration appliance can be closed off in its upper part by at least one door and receives a drawer in its lower part. The drawer can be locked in the closed position by a latch, which engages into a fitting part that supports the door.

A door-lock system for a household appliance, such as a washing machine and the like, of the type provided with a door, to which a hook is associated, and a member to be moved (C) of said household appliance, such as a washing drum (C) or the like, said door-lock system comprising motor means for operating said member to be moved (C) and a door-lock device, capable of interacting with said hook, to lock said door, characterized in that said door-lock system comprises a control unit, capable of controlling the power supply of said motor means and connected to said door-lock device, so as to control the power supply to hold said hook and to close said door.