A tamper-resistant lock assembly comprising a plate having a slot for receiving a key, the slot extending through the plate from an opening in a front face thereof to an exit in an opposing rear face thereof, the opening having a first profile and the exit having a second, different profile, the key comprising a shaft having a bit extending therefrom, the bit being formed of a shape memory material and being pre-configured such that its cross-sectional shape in its temporary form matches the first profile and the bit can be inserted through the slot via the opening and, upon application of a predetermined external stimulus, returns to a permanent form in which its cross-sectional shape matches the second profile and the bit can be retracted from the slot via the exit.

A latching mechanism includes a latch housing comprising a plurality of standoffs, a mechanical energy storage component operatively coupled to the latch housing and a latch positioned inside the latch housing and operatively coupled to the mechanical energy storage component on a first side of the latch, the latch comprising a first opening positioned near the center of a body of the latch, a plurality of second openings positioned near the perimeter of the body of the latch and a ridge on a second side of the latch, wherein each of the plurality of standoffs protrude into a corresponding second opening of the plurality of second openings and wherein the latch moves in a lateral direction relative to the latch housing.

A refuse container locking apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the refuse container has a container bin with a container lid rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the container bin. Some instances of the locking apparatus have a locking hasp arm with a slotted end mounted to a base plate mounted to the container sidewall. The locking hasp is linearly slidable on the base plate between a first arm distal position spaced from container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid. Some instances include a locking bolt mounted on a bolt base mounted on the container lid. The locking bolt is linearly slidable on the bolt base between an unlocked position spaced from the locking hasp arm and an interlocked position adjacent the container lid and in interlocking communication with the locking hasp arm. Some methods can require two hands to operate the locking apparatus.

A draw latch (1) for latching together two closure members of a watercraft, which draw latch have an open position, wherein the two closure members are not latched, and a latched position, wherein the two closure members are secured, comprising a keeper (2) arranged to be attached to a first closure member, a base (3) arranged to be attached to a second closure member, a lever (4) pivotally connected to the base (3), a locking member (5), made of elastic material, pivotally connected to the lever (4), and arranged to be affixed to the keeper (2) when the draw latch is in the latched position. The draw latch further comprises a metal housing (6) arranged to cover the keeper, base, lever and elastic locking member against the two closure members when the keeper is attached to the first closure member, the base is attached to the second closure member and the draw latch is in the latched position.

A tamper-resistant lock assembly comprising a plate having a slot for receiving a key, the slot extending through the plate from an opening in a front face thereof to an exit in an opposing rear face thereof, the opening having a first profile and the exit having a second, different profile, the key comprising a shaft having a bit extending therefrom, the bit being formed of a shape memory material and being pre-configured such that its cross-sectional shape in its temporary form matches the first profile and the bit can be inserted through the slot via the opening and, upon application of a predetermined external stimulus, returns to a permanent form in which its cross-sectional shape matches the second profile and the bit can be retracted from the slot via the exit.

An improved surface bolt having a one-piece bolt and, in some embodiments, a one piece channel base in which the bolt is slidably mountable. In some embodiments, the channel base has first and second opposing edges with sidewalls along the edges, and each sidewall has a lip overhanging the base to define a groove or slot. The bolt has first and second opposing edges with ridges that slidably mount within the grooves. The bolt can include a handle extending from a first bolt member surface and a bumper extending from an opposed second bolt member surface and constraining sliding movement of the bolt between fastener heads or other stops extending from the channel base. Some embodiments of the bolt and channel base are made of a lightweight material such as plastic for example; and the bolt and channel base can include scoring, allowing their size to be altered at the score lines.

A refuse container locking apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the refuse container has a container bin with a container lid rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the container bin. Some instances of the locking apparatus have a locking hasp arm with a slotted end mounted to a base plate mounted to the container sidewall. The locking hasp is linearly slidable on the base plate between a first arm distal position spaced from container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid. Some instances include a locking bolt mounted on a bolt base mounted on the container lid. The locking bolt is linearly slidable on the bolt base between an unlocked position spaced from the locking hasp arm and an interlocked position adjacent the container lid and in interlocking communication with the locking hasp arm. Some methods can require two hands to operate the locking apparatus.

A latching mechanism includes a latch housing comprising a plurality of standoffs, a mechanical energy storage component operatively coupled to the latch housing and a latch positioned inside the latch housing and operatively coupled to the mechanical energy storage component on a first side of the latch, the latch comprising a first opening positioned near the center of a body of the latch, a plurality of second openings positioned near the perimeter of the body of the latch and a ridge on a second side of the latch, wherein each of the plurality of standoffs protrude into a corresponding second opening of the plurality of second openings and wherein the latch moves in a lateral direction relative to the latch housing.

An improved surface bolt having a one-piece bolt and, in some embodiments, a one piece channel base in which the bolt is slidably mountable. In some embodiments, the channel base has first and second opposing edges with sidewalls along the edges, and each sidewall has a lip overhanging the base to define a groove or slot. The bolt has first and second opposing edges with ridges that slidably mount within the grooves. The bolt can include a handle extending from a first bolt member surface and a bumper extending from an opposed second bolt member surface and constraining sliding movement of the bolt between fastener heads or other stops extending from the channel base. Some embodiments of the bolt and channel base are made of a lightweight material such as plastic for example; and the bolt and channel base can include scoring, allowing their size to be altered at the score lines.

A refuse container locking apparatus and method. In some embodiments, the refuse container has a container bin with a container lid rotatably mounted adjacent the open end of the container bin. Some instances of the locking apparatus have a locking hasp arm with a slotted end mounted to a base plate mounted to the container sidewall. The locking hasp is linearly slidable on the base plate between a first arm distal position spaced from container lid and a first arm interlocking position adjacent the container lid. Some instances include a locking bolt mounted on a bolt base mounted on the container lid. The locking bolt is linearly slidable on the bolt base between an unlocked position spaced from the locking hasp arm and an interlocked position adjacent the container lid and in interlocking communication with the locking hasp arm. Some methods can require two hands to operate the locking apparatus.