Did You Know...
...that in 1800 ether was first used by partyers as a fun diversion? Sniffing the gas led to hilarious and raucous laughter as people watched each other become more and more intoxicated and silly. Several doctors independently realized the value ether would have to anesthetize surgery patients. Of those who claimed rights to the "discovery," none had a happy ending. One had a seizure and died defending his rights. Another spent his life in an asylum because he had been denied acclaim. A third became addicted to chloroform and, in a New York City jail, he soaked a cloth in the drug, severed an artery and bled to death.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7210711 | Door lock The solution according to the invention is based upon the knowledge that the undesirable hysteresis of the force-path function in door locks (1) can be avoided or at least minimised if the (frictional) forces acting during transitions from open positions to c... | 05/01/2007 |
| 7188870 | Multi-functional mortise lock A multi-functional mortise lock that can be rapidly converted between different functions without opening the mortise lock case by installing blocking screws that extend through threaded blocking openings in a sidewall of the case and into blocking interference with... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7108300 | Reversible latch bolt A latch is provided for a mortise lock of the type comprising a housing for accommodating the lock components. The latch comprises a first and second portions movably mounted in the housing and a securing element for releasably connecting the first and second portio... | 09/19/2006 |
| 6962066 | Locking arrangement for a door A locking arrangement serving for locking a door hinged on a casing on e.g. a container by a combination or key lock. The locking arrangement comprises a rotatable closing rod for keeping the door closed by engaging the casing in a closed position; a fitting having ... | 11/08/2005 |
| RE38693 | Sliding door latch with self-retracting finger pull A sliding door deadbolt assembly containing a self-retracting finger pull mechanism is described. Provided is a latch assembly having a self-latching deadbolt assembly for mounting to a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame and a self... | 02/01/2005 |
| 5816629 | Sliding door latch with self-retracting finger pull A sliding door deadbolt assembly containing a self-retracting finger pull mechanism is described. Provided is a latch assembly having a self-latching deadbolt assembly for mounting to a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame... | 10/06/1998 |
| 5529351 | Sliding door self-latching apparatus A latch assembly and self-latching deadbolt assembly for mounting to a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame. Provided are a housing for fitting within the sliding door, a self-latching deadbolt for engaging with the strike... | 06/25/1996 |
| 5452928 | Sliding door self-latching apparatus A latch assembly for mounting to a sliding door and latching with a strike plate mounted in a door frame. Provided are a housing for fitting within the sliding door, a self-latching deadbolt for engaging with the strike plate, and a mechanism for sliding ... | 09/26/1995 |
| 5060492 | Luggage latch A luggage latch secures a lid to a box. A hasp is mounted on the lid. A bolt and slide are mounted on the box with the bolt being resiliently mounted on the slide. When the lid is closed on the box, the bolt will resiliently snap into position to hold the... | 10/29/1991 |
| 4988133 | Lock structure with direction-changeable device A direction changeable lock has a latch case, a latch bolt, and a positioning rod which can easily be turned around manually through 180 degrees, so that it does not have a direction limitation when it is to be fixed on a door. The latch bolt has a recess... | 01/29/1991 |
| 4752091 | Latch with automatic closing feature A latch mechanism with a self-latching feature comprising a pin slideably mounted to one body and a handle pivotally mounted to a second body having a latching portion thereon for engagement with the pin. A cam member is positioned to pivot the handle to ... | 06/21/1988 |
| 4679416 | Trigger and latch bolt assembly A lock mechanism includes a casing structure adapted to be mounted to one of a door and a door frame for cooperation with an apertured strike plate mounted to the other of the door and door frame. The lock mechanism further comprises a front plate for the... | 07/14/1987 |
| 4576405 | Door latch mechanism There is disclosed a door latch mechanism having a sliding latch mounted to slide from a retracted position to an extended position in which it is adapted to engage in a keeper slot to hold the door closed. A pivoted actuator for the latch is adapted to e... | 03/18/1986 |
| 4566725 | Deadlock mechanism A deadlock mechanism comprises a casing having a facing plate provided with a bolt aperture and a bolt movable through the aperture between an unlocking position and a locking position. This bolt is connected to a reciprocable plunger, the bolt being made... | 01/28/1986 |
| 4437693 | Thermally responsive latching device and method of modifying a latching device The invention comprises a latching and unlatching device for use on a door, or bulkhead, or the like, which device has a blocking plate for internally obstructing the latch to prevent its retraction, thereby to prevent the opening of the door. The blockin... | 03/20/1984 |
