Patents Examined by Christopher Boswell
  • Patent number: 9334678
    Abstract: A bicycle lock apparatus comprises a locking mechanism selectively changeable between locked and unlocked configurations and an elongated securing arm. The securing arm includes a first end adapted for removable insertion into the locking mechanism it is unlocked, and for non-removable connection when it is locked. The securing arm further includes an armored sheath extending a length of at least seven feet and having an annular wall formed from at least two spirally-wound metallic strips interwound with one another to define a continuous interior cavity. The armored sheath is flexibly obedient to be reconfigurable into curved positions and holds the positions after the bending force is removed. The securing arm further includes a reinforcing core disposed within the interior cavity, the reinforcing core including at least one bundle of elongated non-metallic fiber material having a tensile strength-to-weight ratio of at least 1000 kN·m/Kg extending between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: FlexLock, LLC
    Inventor: Frank P. Allen
  • Patent number: 9328536
    Abstract: A security device for protecting a merchandise item against theft typically includes a pair of clamping members, a cable extending between the clamping members, and a tightening mechanism for tightening the cable to cause the clamping members to move toward one another and clamp onto the merchandise item. One of the clamping members typically serves as a housing containing the tightening mechanism, which may include a spool, a lock slide for releasably securing the spool and a locking mechanism for releasably securing the lock slide. The locking mechanism may be unlocked with a magnetic key. The security device is typically configured to set off an alarm upon tampering or attempted removal of the item and security device from a store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Shute, Mark A. Ezzo
  • Patent number: 9328535
    Abstract: A padlock with a removable lock cylinder. A retaining member couples the lock cylinder to the padlock's body. In some embodiments, the retaining member includes a flange for actuating the retaining member between a retained position and a released position. The flange is accessible through an opening of the lock body when the shackle is in the unlocked position and inaccessible when the shackle is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Kwikset Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Calvin Baker, Matthew Jacob Richman
  • Patent number: 9328538
    Abstract: A security container for holding a product. The container includes a jacket having a cavity, a sleeve receivable in the cavity, and a chamber in the sleeve for holding the product. The sleeve moves within the cavity between a position where a user can access the chamber and a position where they cannot access the chamber. A locking mechanism secures the sleeve against movement when in the locked condition and permits movement thereof when unlocked. An alarm mechanism is provided that is simultaneously activated when the locking mechanism is locked and deactivated when the locking mechanism is unlocked. The locking mechanism includes a magnetic locking member movable by a dedicated magnetic key to unlock the mechanism. The security container is adjustable in length to accommodate products of different sizes. The container is of a diminutive size in that it is capable of fitting into a man's dress shirt pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian V. Conti
  • Patent number: 9328534
    Abstract: Described is a locking mechanism for a lock box comprising a plurality of buttons connected to either a sliding dawg or a dummy dawg. The sliding and dummy dawgs are supported by a retaining bar in a first position and can slide into a second position when its corresponding button is pressed. Each dawg comprises a hook that is adapted to engage with a lock bar. The sliding dawgs have hooks that are engaged with the lock bar until the corresponding button is pressed, while the dummy dawgs have hooks that are not engaged with the lock bar unless the corresponding button is pressed. The locking mechanism locks if a button corresponding to a dummy dawg has been pressed, and the locking mechanism can then be opened only by use of a key. The locking mechanism opens if the correct buttons are pressed, regardless of the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Blankenship
  • Patent number: 9322196
    Abstract: A padlock for securing a switch of an industrial plant comprises a lock body and a hoop which is displaceably held at the lock body, wherein the lock body has a lock housing composed of plastic, a lock cylinder having a rotatable cylinder core, and a rotatable latching member, wherein the cylinder core and the latching member are rotationally fixedly coupled to one another by means of a coupling element and wherein the latching member is rotatable from a release position into a latching position to lock the hoop at the lock body. The padlock is characterized in that the coupling element has at least one first bearing section, one second bearing section and therebetween a shaft section between the latching member and the lock cylinder, said shaft section connecting the first bearing section to the second bearing section and having a smaller diameter than the two bearing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Söhne KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Garthe, Wai Kuen Fan, Manuel Thomas
  • Patent number: 9315170
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering lock with a deadlock for a motor vehicle comprising: •a bolt guide (5), •a bolt (4), •a deadlocking means (15) comprising a locking element (16) designed to lock the bolt (4) in deadlocked position and to be subjected to torsional and translational movement towards said bolt (4), said element (16) being received in a housing (18) of the bolt guide (5). The deadlocking means (15) further comprises a closing plate (10) having a face that engages with an element of the deadlocking means (15), and engages with the opening of the housing (18) in such a way that the rotation of the closing plate (10) is locked relative to the guide bolt (5) and causes the translational and torsional movement of said locking element (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: U-Shin France SAS
    Inventors: Patrice Poggi, Christophe Perrin, Alix Della Fiorentina
  • Patent number: 9316026
    Abstract: A security apparatus for a portable electronic device is provided. The security apparatus may include a plurality of shell portions, each shaped to wrap around part of a perimeter of the portable electronic device. The security apparatus may further include a connecting portion that engages at least one of the plurality of shell portions and to thereby couple the plurality of shell portions to each other. At least one of the connecting portion and one or more of the plurality of shell portions may include an attachment device, the attachment device being configured to engage with a locking head, thereby locking relative positions of the plurality of shell portions and the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Myers, Jonathan Corpuz, Jonathan Stacey
  • Patent number: 9307797
    Abstract: A magnetic lock (20) has at least one catch (36) having a lock plate (53). At least one first magnet (44) is arranged on the catch (36). The catch (36) can move back and forth between a locked position and unlocked position such that, when in unlocked position, the lock plate (53) at least partially closes a locating hole (26) for a shaft (22). Furthermore, a second magnet (48) is provided in the magnetic lock (20) that pulls the first magnet (44)—and the catch (36) along with it—into locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: José Humberto Sánchez Giráldez
  • Patent number: 9309696
    Abstract: A door panel lock system for a door panel assembly. The door panel lock system is incorporated into a cutout in a door panel of the door panel assembly. The lock system includes a lock mechanism that is coupled to a floor bolt assembly by a connecting member, and a cover that is coupled to the door panel and covers a portion of the cutout and the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: C.R. LAURENCE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Donald E. Friese, Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 9309695
    Abstract: A locking apparatus includes a fixed housing with a longitudinal elongated bore between two open ends. One end defines an arcuate track with a new rotational displacement range. A pivoting riser extends from a driver to an elongated retainer moving across a locking core configured with a predefined rotational range. A follower on the driver travels within the track. The core and the driver may be connected and inserted via the same open end for rotation within the bore. When the locking core is unlocked and rotated with an operating key, the riser displaces the retainer to retain the core within the housing, while the follower continues to rotate within the track so that the rotational range of the core is changed to the new rotational displacement range. The apparatus may include the core. The apparatus may exclude the core to allow separate installation for combined rotation with the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: WESKO SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Florian Westwinkel, Tonino Sabelli
  • Patent number: 9309692
    Abstract: A cylindrical locking core suitable for retrofit and new installations has a coupling to releasably engage a driver in a locking system. The coupling, for example, a clip, has a base which fits into a channel in the core, to grasp the core. The clip also includes two opposing flexible, resilient arms to releasably grasp the driver. The arms have rigid flanges which engage recesses in the driver. The core may be disengaged from the driver by rotating the core relative to the driver, using a change key. When the core is in use, an operating key extends through the core and an opening in the coupling, to engage the driver, to open and close the lock system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: WESKO SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Florian G. Westwinkel
  • Patent number: 9303430
    Abstract: Disclosed in one aspect is the fixed door pull handle assembly that includes an elongated door pull handle with two or more support standoffs projecting away from the elongated door pull handle and securing the elongated door pull handle to the doorframe or to the body of the door. One of the support standoffs is user rotatable, and rotatably engages a door latch assembly within the door. In another aspect, the support standoff is not user rotatable. Instead, a center-pivoting handle is mounted in-line with one of the support standoffs and rotatably engages the door latch assembly within the door. The center-pivoting handle is recessed within the elongated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory Header
  • Patent number: 9290963
    Abstract: A door lever and mounting plate assembly attachable to a door and coupleable to a latch and spindle assembly in the door, including a. a mounting plate including an aperture therein mountable on the door with the aperture axially aligned with the spindle, b. a door lever assembly comprising a handle part with a bottom surface, and a pivot plate, the handle part being coupleable to the spindle, and the pivot plate being fixed to the bottom surface of the handle and having an area greater than the area of the aperture and being situated closely adjacent and underlying the aperture, such that when the handle is pivoted the aperture is at all times fully underlied by at least parts of the pivot plate, and d. a keylock cylinder mounted in the handle part with a linkage to engage and control rotation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SECURITECH GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Mark J. Berger, Jeffrey Regen
  • Patent number: 9290964
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes an exterior operator assembly, an interior operator assembly, and a latch assembly. An outer spindle is operatively coupled to a latch assembly, is drivably coupled to the interior operator assembly, and has a longitudinal bore. A coupling mechanism is coupled to the outer spindle. A locking spindle assembly is rotatably received in the longitudinal bore, and is configured to selectively operate the coupling mechanism to couple the exterior operator assembly to the outer spindle upon actuation of a drive assembly. The locking spindle assembly has a fire compliant component made of a first material that melts during a fire to prevent operation of the latch assembly with the exterior operator assembly, and has a fire resistant component made of a second material and configured to block the longitudinal bore of the outer spindle to aid in preventing the spread of the fire through the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Stanley Security Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Trent, Chad A. Hickman, Simon Marin, Bret Holbrook
  • Patent number: 9279273
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock comprising a housing (14, 55), a key operated lock cylinder (13, 51), which is arranged rotatable in the lock housing and a lock catch (11, 60), which is connected to the lock cylinder and rotatable between a locking position and a releasing position. The lock is arranged to be selectively set in a key operated mode, wherein the lock catch is rotatable with the lock cylinder, or in a push button operated mode, wherein the lock catch is movable by axial displacement of the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ASSA AB
    Inventors: Kjell Eriksson, Jonas Herrmann, Bjorn Larsson
  • Patent number: 9279274
    Abstract: A lock comprises a housing defining a mounting face, a locking mechanism accommodated in the housing and operable to change between a locking state and a release state and a set of operating elements with buttons accessible at the front of the housing and actuable, such as by axial displacement, to operate the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be changed from the locking state to the release state in response to actuation of, and only of, a selected group of the operating elements. These elements can additionally be manipulated, in particular rotated, to select the group. The buttons of the selected group can be identified by respectively associated digits forming a code. The lock further comprises a slidable blocking plate blocking the rotation of the operating elements and cancelling means operable to cancel the blocking by the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CODELOCKS LIMITED
    Inventor: Grant MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9278668
    Abstract: A brake/clutch locking system has a brake panel-blocking rod attached to a slidable axial tube in an axial tube to which an anti-lock mechanism is connected. A block in a chamber operatively coupled to a coil spring has a mass that produces more kinetic energy than the coil spring. The block has a shoulder portion with a shape corresponding to a protruding lower edge of a coil spring biased pin that slides into a bored hole provided in the wall of the axial tube and on the slidable axial tube, blocking movement of the slidable axial tube when an external force applied to the block creates a sufficient amount of kinetic energy to move the block from the protruding edge of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Kamol Kantajaraniti, Suwat Petcharapirat
  • Patent number: 9273487
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • Patent number: 9273495
    Abstract: A panic exit door lock includes an outer operational device mounted to an outer side of a door, an inner operational device mounted to an inner door of the door, a lock mounted in the door, and a locking mechanism mounted between the inner and outer operational devices and the lock. The locking mechanism includes an outer cylinder mounted to the outer operational device and an inner cylinder mounted to the inner operational device. An indicator member is operably connected to the inner cylinder and a setting member. The setting member is connected to a transmission block. When a key is used to set a locking function of the inner or outer cylinder, the transmission block and the indicator member pivot jointly. A user can see whether the locking function is set by observing the position of the indicator member via a window of an inner cylinder seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Jen Tien