A latching mechanism is described comprising: a latching component and a retaining component; wherein the latching component comprises means for receiving a hook in use, and a pivoting feature which is configured to allow said latching component to pivot relative to said retaining component.

A latch assembly having a latch buckle and a latch tongue. The latch buckle includes: a buckle housing; a first lateral aperture disposed along a first side of the buckle housing; a second lateral aperture disposed along a second side of the buckle housing; a pair of h-shaped levers, each pivotally coupled to an interior of the buckle housing; a spring ring disposed between the pair of h-shaped levers; a pair of springs, each spring being coupled to an interior of the buckle housing and an h-shaped lever; and a buckle aperture disposed along a top of the buckle housing and between the pair of h-shaped levers. The latch tongue includes: a tongue plate; a plate spacer, coupled to the tongue plate; and a latch flange, coupled to the plate spacer, configured to be received by the buckle aperture. The latch tongue is selectably coupled to the latch base.

A latch assembly having a latch buckle and a latch tongue. The latch buckle includes: a buckle housing; a first lateral aperture disposed along a first side of the buckle housing; a second lateral aperture disposed along a second side of the buckle housing; a pair of h-shaped levers, each pivotally coupled to an interior of the buckle housing; a spring ring disposed between the pair of h-shaped levers; a pair of springs, each spring being coupled to an interior of the buckle housing and an h-shaped lever; and a buckle aperture disposed along a top of the buckle housing and between the pair of h-shaped levers. The latch tongue includes: a tongue plate; a plate spacer, coupled to the tongue plate; and a latch flange, coupled to the plate spacer, configured to be received by the buckle aperture. The latch tongue is selectably coupled to the latch base.

A lock assembly comprising: a hand-operable member configured to move laterally relative to a fore-end of the lock assembly; wherein lateral movement of the hand-operable member causes the lock assembly to move between a locked mode and an unlocked mode. A lock assembly comprising: a latch, the latch configured to move rotationally relative to the lock assembly; and a hand-operable member configured to move laterally relative to a fore-end of the lock assembly; wherein the hand-operable member is coupled to the latch such that lateral movement of the hand-operable member drives rotational movement of the latch. Methods of installing a lock assembly, comprising setting a hub of a lock assembly to one of a first unlocked position, a first locked position, a second unlocked position, a second locked position, or a deadlocked position, and installing a cylinder lock for engagement with the hub.

A lock assembly comprising: a hand-operable member configured to move laterally relative to a fore-end of the lock assembly; wherein lateral movement of the hand-operable member causes the lock assembly to move between a locked mode and an unlocked mode. A lock assembly comprising: a latch, the latch configured to move rotationally relative to the lock assembly; and a hand-operable member configured to move laterally relative to a fore-end of the lock assembly; wherein the hand-operable member is coupled to the latch such that lateral movement of the hand-operable member drives rotational movement of the latch. Methods of installing a lock assembly, comprising setting a hub of a lock assembly to one of a first unlocked position, a first locked position, a second unlocked position, a second locked position, or a deadlocked position, and installing a cylinder lock for engagement with the hub.

A locking mechanism comprises an S-shaped locking member which comprises respective locking hooks arranged at the end of opposed arms of the locking member. A pivot is arranged between the arms of the locking member. The locking member rotates around the axis (A) of the pivot. The locking mechanism further comprises a coupling for coupling the locking member to an actuator for rotating the locking member around the pivot axis (A). The coupling comprises at least one coupling element, an actuator coupling for coupling the at least one coupling element to the actuator and first and second drive couplings for coupling the at least one coupling element independently to each arm of the locking member for transmitting rotational movement thereto, such that failure of one arm of the locking member will not cause loss of drive to the other arm of the locking member.

A locking mechanism comprises an S-shaped locking member which comprises respective locking hooks arranged at the end of opposed arms of the locking member. A pivot is arranged between the arms of the locking member. The locking member rotates around the axis (A) of the pivot. The locking mechanism further comprises a coupling for coupling the locking member to an actuator for rotating the locking member around the pivot axis (A). The coupling comprises at least one coupling element, an actuator coupling for coupling the at least one coupling element to the actuator and first and second drive couplings for coupling the at least one coupling element independently to each arm of the locking member for transmitting rotational movement thereto, such that failure of one arm of the locking member will not cause loss of drive to the other arm of the locking member.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an access control system having a planar interlocking mechanism including two reflectively symmetric rotating moon gears mechanically coupled by a linear slide configured to respond to rotation of the moon gears. In an illustrative example, the moon gears are mechanically coupled by the linear slide via respective actuating cams. The moon gears may be provided, for example, with locking cams configured to releasably secure the linear slide via a corresponding follower on the linear slide. Rotation of one moon gear into a first mode may, for example, place the other moon gear in a second mode, and vice versa. Each moon gear may be configured, for example, to be operated by a removable peg. Various embodiments may advantageously be configured such that release of a removable peg from one moon gear captures a peg in a corresponding moon gear.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an access control system having a planar interlocking mechanism including two reflectively symmetric rotating moon gears mechanically coupled by a linear slide configured to respond to rotation of the moon gears. In an illustrative example, the moon gears are mechanically coupled by the linear slide via respective actuating cams. The moon gears may be provided, for example, with locking cams configured to releasably secure the linear slide via a corresponding follower on the linear slide. Rotation of one moon gear into a first mode may, for example, place the other moon gear in a second mode, and vice versa. Each moon gear may be configured, for example, to be operated by a removable peg. Various embodiments may advantageously be configured such that release of a removable peg from one moon gear captures a peg in a corresponding moon gear.

The present invention provides a resistant lock for locking doors, having a locking mechanism that enable locking the door in any direction without any modification or adjustment thereof, and that provide improved security.