Patents Examined by André L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7140071
    Abstract: In an electric motorized hinge apparatus, a biasing means maintains a concavo-convex engagement state between a third rotating member and a second engagement portion in a second rotating member, and thus the second rotating member rotates to follow the third rotating member. Furthermore, the biasing means maintains a concavo-convex holding state between a first engagement portion in the second rotating member and a first rotating member, and thus the first rotating member rotates to follow the second rotating member. Furthermore, as the first rotating member rotates, a lid portion rotates to follow it. During manual rotation of the lid portion, a motor is maintained in an off state and the second rotating member is kept at a stop by a lock means. Therefore, the engagement state at the first concavo-convex engagement part is released by the manual rotation of the lid portion, so that the lid portion can be freely rotated by hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihide Tonogai
  • Patent number: 7140076
    Abstract: A knob for a lock includes a knob body and a reinforcing member. The knob body has a side, and a neck extends outward from the side of the knob body and has a slot. The reinforcing member is mounted around the neck and has a stop that is engaged in the slot of the neck. An escutcheon is mounted around the reinforcing member. The knob has increased strength for withstanding larger force intended to destroy the lock through either jimmying the connection area between the side of the knob body and an end wall of the escutcheon or hammering an outer face of the knob body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu-Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su-Mei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7140074
    Abstract: A hinge device for coupling two units movable to folded and unfolded positions in an apparatus with the two units such as a portable radiotelephone includes a housing, a first rotating member contained in the housing to rotate about a first rotation axis, and a second rotating member rotatable about a second rotation axis. The hinge device includes a first linearly moving member that is linearly movable due to the rotation of the first rotating member, and a second linearly moving member that is linearly movable due to the rotation of the second rotating member. The hinge device includes a first resilient member for urging the first linearly moving member against the first rotating member, and a second resilient member for urging the second linearly moving member against the second rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Phoenix Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Soo Han, Sung-Hyun Ka
  • Patent number: 7140070
    Abstract: A fastener attaches a wire harness and an end of a floor carpet to a rocker panel of a vehicle and provides support for a rocker molding independently of the rocker panel. The wire harness includes a pair of arcuate arms pivotally mounted on a base of the fastener and having free ends that connect to one another to form a cylindrical wire harness holder that surrounds a wire harness. One of the arcuate arms is latched to the base and assists in retaining an end of the carpet on the base. Spaced rocker molding engagement portions on the base and on the one arcuate arm receive and retain respective legs of the rocker molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Kiyoteru Yuta, Yoshimichi Matsudaira, Masashi Dendo, Motoya Kimura, Shinji Hosoi, Masanori Sato
  • Patent number: 7137174
    Abstract: An activating mechanism is provided for use with a four-link hinge of the type typically used for closure of a vehicle movable deck, such as a trunk lid or engine compartment hood. A lower link bracket is secured to the vehicle body and an upper link bracket is secured to the movable deck. Pivoting links may be connected between the upper and lower link brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Gecom Corp
    Inventors: Lester Derbis, Darek Barczynski, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 7124472
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft having an outer screw thread, a rotating cam, a rotating cam having an inner screw thread, a first elastic element, a sleeve having a latching block, a second elastic element, an anchoring block, and a button having a post. The driven cam defines two symmetrical latching grooves. The anchoring block defines a first hole and a second hole. The shaft extends through the rotating cam, the driven cam, the first elastic element, the sleeve, the second elastic element, and the first hole of the anchoring block. The outer screw thread of the shaft engages with the inner screw thread of the rotating cam. The latching block of the sleeve is slidably received in the latching grooves of the driven cam. The post of the button extends through the second hole of the anchoring block and abuts against an end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: FIH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Rui-Hao Chen, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7124469
    Abstract: An automatic sliding door closure device for use with a sliding door on a track. The device comprises a housing attached to the door having a connecting arm attached to the housing. A pulley rotatably mounted within the housing guides a cable having an exterior end attached to the doorframe and an interior end connected to the gear, rotating the gear when the sliding door is slid along the track. A spring engaged with the gear tensions rotation of the gear as the door is moved. An airtight cylinder parallel with the track has a plunger arm connected to the connecting arm that is drawn within the cylinder as the door is moved. A flexible member connected to the plunger arm creates an air cushion within the cylinder. An airflow control valve controls intake and outlet of air into the airtight cylinder controlling the closure speed of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Inventors: Alex Tsekhanovsky, Todd J. Mattson
  • Patent number: 7124470
    Abstract: A tool having a lanyard, a tool member and structures for attaching the lanyard and the tool member. The attaching structures includes a pin that is engaged with the lanyard and the tool member. The tool defines an opening having a bore contiguous with the opening for receiving the pin. The opening is a slot and a pair of opposed first engaging surfaces define the slot and engaging portions of the loop to maintain the pin within the slot and bore. A lanyard including a loop received by the opening, the loop defining an eyelet receiving the pin to secure the lanyard to the tool member. Also disclosed is a method for releasably attaching a lanyard to a tool member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Isidro M. Alanis
  • Patent number: 7124474
    Abstract: A tool handle assembly adapted to be connected to a tool head comprises a leg with an inner grip handle connected to the leg between first and second ends thereof, an outer grip handle connected to the first end of the leg and a tool head connector connected to the second end of the leg. The inner grip handle includes a grip extending perpendicular to the leg. The outer grip handle preferably pivots about an axis extending perpendicular to an axis extending through the leg. The inner grip handle is preferably pivotal between a storage and use position and is slidably connected to the leg. The leg of the tool handle preferably telescopes and comprises a pair of parallel extending legs connected together by cross-members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Nicolay Family Enterprises, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Nicolay, Lewis A. Mendelson, Lawrence E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 7124475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handle member having a tab which, when pushed, allows the handle to be hingedly rotated from a resting position to a position substantially perpendicular to a faceplate member. In particular, the present invention relates to a D-ring handle having a tab, whereby the D-ring handle is hingedly connected to a faceplate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Jeffries
  • Patent number: 7117561
    Abstract: Hinge assembly for mounting a door on a furniture frame for movement of the door between open and closed positions of the door relative to the furniture frame comprising a mounting plate adapted to be affixed to a furniture frame member an intermediate plate disposed atop of and slideably engaged to said mounting plate a top plate disposed atop of and slideably engaged to said intermediate plate and said mounting plate, and further comprising a hinge arm extending from a front portion thereof, and a guide pin extending through a rearward portion of said top plate, through a rearward portion of said intermediate plate, and through a rearward portion of said mounting plate such that said top plate is pivotable upon said guide pin. Further, the hinge assembly is adjustable such that the hinge arm can be adjusted in three dimensions relative to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Grass America Inc.
    Inventors: Georg Domenig, Jeffery W. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7111362
    Abstract: A hinged panel (110) coupled to a body member (120), for example in a wireless communications device, including a torsion spring (150) coupled to the body member and to the panel, a cam (127) coupled to the body member, a follower (134) coupled to the panel. A decreasing counter-torque is applied to the panel by the spring biased cam and follower assembly when the torsion spring torque is above a specified level, and an increasing assisting-torque is applied to the panel by the spring biased cam and follower assembly when the torsion spring torque is below a specified level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryszard Gordecki
  • Patent number: 7111358
    Abstract: A spring biased pivot assembly for operative connection across a lower edge of a self-returning door structure. An adjustable spacer projects outwardly from a downwardly extending shoulder structure and towards a tension pin in tangential relation to the axis of rotation. The spacer contacts the tension pin when the door structure is in its normal position thereby maintaining separation between the tension pin and the shoulder structure and blocking complete release of spring tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bommer Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: B. Stewart Jackson
  • Patent number: 7111359
    Abstract: A bar or rod gripper for arresting the linear axial movement of a rod, e.g. the piston rod of a door closure between a door open or closed position, that includes a compressible bushing slidably disposed about the rod or bar, and a canter washer disposed about the compression bushing whereby the canter washer, when tilted, will cause the compression bushing to compress to impose a surface to surface frictional force onto the bar or rod to resist or restrain the axial movement thereof without scoring, pitting or indenting the outer surface of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Valentin Luca
  • Patent number: 7107648
    Abstract: A hinge has a pin, a rotating positioning element and a stationary positioning element. The rotating positioning element is mounted around the pin and has a first, second, third and fourth detent and a rear surface with an inner circular area and an outer circular area. The first and second detents are formed in the inner circular area. The third and fourth detents are formed in the outer circular area. Each detent has a centerline. The centerlines of the first and third detents coincide. The centerlines of the second and fourth detents coincide. The stationary positioning element is mounted around the pin and has a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion is formed on the stationary positioning element and selectively engages the first and second detents. The second protrusion is formed on the stationary positioning element and selectively engages the third and fourth detents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Shin Zu Shing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Nan Lu, Hsiang-Chi Chien
  • Patent number: 7103939
    Abstract: An assist grip handle assembly that may be snap-fit to the interior of a vehicle or other structure includes a damper assembly provided with the handle assembly that does not require the use of a pivot pin. The damper assembly of the invention easily snap-fits into the assist grip handle assembly and provides improved speed control of the rotational movement of the assist grip handle. With the present invention, no special tools are required to assemble the assist grip handle assembly as the components may be snap-fit together resulting in a less complex and cumbersome assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Walter Belchine, III, Joel R. Lee
  • Patent number: 7100237
    Abstract: A grommet through which a long member is passed and mounted on a fixing hole of a fixing plate, includes an outer member and an inner member. The outer member includes a cylindrical insertion portion, through which the long member is passed, a brim-shaped close contact portion, extending outward from the insertion portion and having a mounting groove engaging with an edge of the fixing hole and an inner groove, formed on an inside face of the close contact portion. The inner member include a periphery edge portion, substantially shaped into a disc shape having a central opening, and inserted in the inner groove and a projection, extended from the periphery edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Katayama
  • Patent number: 7100242
    Abstract: A hinged structure for an armrest, table or shelf, e.g. in a motor vehicle or a rail vehicle, in which a body is connected by the hinge with a support and a disengaging element on the body is cammed out of engagement with the hinge arm when the body is swung upwardly with force exceeding a predetermined limiting force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Seeber AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Maierholzner
  • Patent number: 7100245
    Abstract: The invention proposes a hinge to be exchanged for the hinges on a motor-vehicle door. The hinge contains a hinge section that is attached to the bodywork and a hinge section that is attached to the door. A linking device having a pair of linkages is situated between the two hinge sections. The first linkage allows opening the door in the factory-standard manner until the door is clear of the door frame. The second linkage then allows pivoting the door upward about a horizontal axis, which will allow configuring automobile doors such that they may be opened in the same manner as “gull-wing” doors. The motions about both axes may be constrained such that contact between the door and the bodywork will be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: Klaus Wohlfarth
  • Patent number: 7096540
    Abstract: A fold-type cellular phone has a top unit, a bottom unit and a hinge coupling together the top unit and the bottom unit while allowing the top unit to turn and swivel with respect to the bottom unit. The top unit is first unfolded from a first folded position to an attitude angle of 160 to 170 degrees, and swiveled by 180 degrees to be folded onto the bottom unit in a second folded position at an attitude angle of 180 degrees. The swivel movement of the top unit causes a cam assembly to turn the top unit from the attitude angle of 160–170 degrees to an attitude angle of 180 degrees in the second folded position, thereby allowing the top unit to assume a suitable attitude with respect to the bottom unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Watanabe, Masatomo Mizuta, Mitsuru Sendouda