Patents Examined by Christopher Boswell
  • Patent number: 9260890
    Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for securing the lid of a container in a closed position having actuator components that facilitate latching and unlatching of a latch plate of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Daws Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Harrison
  • Patent number: 9248804
    Abstract: In a steering device having a steering lock device and a telescopic clamp device, the strength of a column in a key-locked state and the force of telescopic clamping are secured. A flange section and ribs are formed between a through hole which a lock pin comes in and leaves and a slit for reducing the inner circumferential diameter of an outer column so as to increase the strength of the outer column. Hence, both the strength of the outer column against the bending moment applied to the lock pin in a key-locked state and the strength of the outer column against telescopic clamping effected by reducing the inner peripheral diameter of the outer column can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9248805
    Abstract: A brake lock for a riding mower. The brake lock may include a shaft having a first end and a second end. A blocker may be attached to the first end and a shackle may be attached to the second end. The present invention may further include a padlock having a shackle hole and an activation component that locks and unlocks the padlock. The shaft may be placed within a brake housing blocking a brake handle from moving. The shackle of the shaft may be locked within the shackle hole and may thereby lock the brake handle in a braked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Laroy Elbert Pitts
  • Patent number: 9249600
    Abstract: A lock includes a cylinder, fixed to a door or door wing, with which a pivot is associated coaxially and rotatably, a lever for closing the door or door wing to a jamb being keyed to the end of the pivot; a separate body can be keyed detachably to the head of the pivot and is provided with magnetic elements for the temporary locking of the rotation of the body with respect to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Inventor: Pier Luigi Oliana
  • Patent number: 9243428
    Abstract: Locks, lock mechanisms, lock assemblies, retro fit kits, and methods of using locks with cables and chains inside of strengthened flexible sleeves can conform to shape surfaces to which they are mounted, for preventing thefts of bicycles, motorcycles and other applications, such as but not limited to securing gates and doors, and other objects together. The flexible sleeve can include a series of ball and socket segments arranged next to one another, having a hollow conduit through which the cable or chain can pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Inventor: Darrell Miracle
  • Patent number: 9228376
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to exemplary embodiments of a combination disc padlock that may include a housing, a shackle positioned within a portion of the housing, the shackle having a curved shape with a first end that is never released from the housing and a second end that may be exposed from the housing when the padlock is in an unlocked configuration. The padlock may include a mechanism or other structure formed on or connected to the shackle that facilitates movement of the shackle between a closed position and an open position. The padlock may include a reset mechanism that prevents a user from accidentally changing a combination code of the padlock when the padlock is in the unlocked configuration, thereby requiring that the padlock be put into a reset mode in order to change the combination code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: THE SUN LOCK COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Karl Lai
  • Patent number: 9222281
    Abstract: A lock cylinder monitoring assembly for monitoring position of a lock cylinder. The monitoring assembly includes a housing having an inner cavity and an exterior diameter. The exterior diameter of the housing is not significantly greater than the corresponding cylinder diameter. The assembly further includes a switch received into the inner cavity of the housing. The switch is in electrical communication with an indicator. The switch is reactive to any change in position of the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Corbin Russwin Architectural Hardware
    Inventors: Tracy R. Fowler, Brian R. Fournier, Damon J. Lenk, Scott Morstatt
  • Patent number: 9212508
    Abstract: A device adapted to secure at least one securing member with a security link with a lock having a body and a shackle. The security link comprising a body with a surface and a hasp, the surface having a first and a second opening through the body, the hasp enabled to be captured by the shackle of the lock. The first opening enabled to secure the securing member when the lock is secured in the second opening. The securing member enabled to be removed from the security link when the lock is removed from the second opening. The shackle does not directly hold at least one securing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: STANTON CONCEPTS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert Loughlin, John Loughlin
  • Patent number: 9206627
    Abstract: An engagement structure for a cable head includes a main body and a release mechanism. The main body has movable positioners disposed thereon. When the cable head is inserted in the main body, the positioners are temporarily pushed away and moved back by an elastic mechanism to block the cable head from removing from the main body. For removing the cable head, a release mechanism is configured for pushing the positioners away. Thus, user can remove the cable head by operating the release mechanism. Therefore, operation of the engagement structure is simplified for user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: LINTEX CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chia-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9200472
    Abstract: Provided is a push-pull door lock capable of selecting a lever work direction which may be installed without needing to coincide a door opening direction with the lever work direction by driving a driving unit during both a push operation and a pull operation of a lever coupled to each of housings of a front surface and a rear surface of a door to unlock a lock mechanism received in the door. The push-pull door lock includes: a lever that is provided on a front surface of each of housings, which are respectively coupled to an inside and an outside of a door by supports, to pivot in a front-and-back direction and has a protruding portion protruding toward a door; and a selection member that is provided on a rear surface of the housing and limits a pivoting range of the protruding portion in order to select a push operation or a pull operation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Han Lee
  • Patent number: 9194158
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to embodiments of an anti-zipper sliding device that may include at least one body, a gripping surface affixed onto the body, a fastener to removably attach the body and the gripping surface onto a piece of luggage having a zipper with a zipper track and a zipper puller so as to prevent the anti-zipper sliding device from moving along the zipper track of the luggage. The anti-zipper sliding device may also include at least one locking mechanism or be configured for engagement with at least one locking mechanism in order to lock at least one zipper puller to the anti-zipper sliding device in order to prevent the zipper from being re-zipped after a zipper breach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: THE SUN LOCK COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Karl Lai
  • Patent number: 9133649
    Abstract: A merchandise security device is provided. The merchandise security device may include a lock mechanism operably engaged with a shape memory material configured to receive electrical power for locking and unlocking the lock mechanism. The shape memory material may be configured to change in shape in response to receiving electrical power to thereby lock or unlock the lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: InVue Security Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Taylor, Jeffrey A. Grant, David N. Berglund
  • Patent number: 9127481
    Abstract: A mechanical barrier recipient verification system including a combination lock assembly having a housing carrying a combination lock mechanism. The housing forms an aperture. The lock mechanism selectively receives and captures a post inserted through the aperture. Further the lock mechanism is configured to provide combination unset and set states; unlocked and locked positions; and correctly and incorrectly entered code arrangements. Following insertion of the post into the aperture and with the lock mechanism in the locked position, the post is retained by the lock mechanism regardless of the correctly or incorrectly entered code arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Typenex Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Luke A. Westra, James C. Stango, Kyle A. Koning, Michael S. Rafferty, Wayne M. Hansen, Roy E. McDaniels
  • Patent number: 9129457
    Abstract: An electronic door lock mounts to a door and includes an inner side and an outer side. The electronic door lock is operable to control access to an access controlled area positioned adjacent the inner side of the door. The electronic door lock includes an outer base connected to the outer side of the door, an inner base connected to the inner side of the door, a locking mechanism coupled to the door and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position in response to a control signal, and a control circuit disposed within the inner base and operable to generate the control signal in response to an input credential. An attachment interface is at least partially formed as part of the outer base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: Gustavo L. Sumcad, Ronald Taylor, James W. Brown, Peter M. Dance, James R. Jackson
  • Patent number: 9127479
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder includes a cylinder body and a plug assembly, which includes key followers normally biased for linear movement into a home position. Locking bar interfaces in the plug assembly are rotatably connected to respective key followers for simultaneous linear movement with the key followers, and are movable from a non-rotatable to a rotatable position within the plug assembly. Each interface defines a plurality of angularly-spaced unlocking cavities alignable with a locking bar operatively associated with the cylinder body and plug assembly. When the user causes the interface to move into the rotatable position, it can be rotated to re-align any or all of the unlocking cavities with the locking bar. Inasmuch as each unlocking cavity is also associated with a particular elevation of the interface's respective key follower, re-aligning one or more such cavities resets the respective elevations of the key followers so that they can accept only a different valid key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Kwikset Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar Romero, John C. Charnley
  • Patent number: 9120446
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of a combination wheel locking system are provided herein. The combination wheel locking system can be used to prevent access to one or more lug nuts on a wheel. The combination wheel locking system and anti-theft device can include a combination master lock system for operatively engaging and releasing from a portion of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Combination Wheels, LLC
    Inventors: William Eugene Thomas, Paul B. Hvass, Nicholas A. Herrera, Terrence M. Tomlinson, Cliff J. Scribner, Rogers E. Rimmer, Nakul Jeirath, Edward G. Alvarado, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9101191
    Abstract: A key (1) having one end (6) secured to a yoke (7) mounted in a casing (2) to turn between a position in which the key is retracted inside the casing and a position in which the key is extended, and a control pushbutton (17) mounted in the yoke to be constrained to pivot therewith, and to slide between an extended position for blocking the yoke in which the pushbutton possesses at least one stud (25) received in a notch (26) of a portion of the casing, and a pushed-in position for releasing the yoke to pivot, in which position the stud escapes from the notch, a spring (18) being interposed between the casing and the control pushbutton to urge the yoke resiliently towards the extended position and the control pushbutton towards its blocking position, the notch being formed in a washer (13) that is fitted in said portion of the casing, and the washer being harder than the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Benoit Box, Thierry Acas, Didler Pozzi, Jean-Michel Rieu, Fabrice Echasseriau
  • Patent number: 9097057
    Abstract: A safe (e.g., a gun safe) according to various embodiments comprises: (A) a housing defining an interior portion and an opening; (B) a door disposed adjacent the opening, the door being mounted to move between: (1) a closed position, in which the door prevents access to the interior portion; and (2) an open position, in which the door does not prevent access to the interior portion; and (C) a locking mechanism for maintaining the door in the closed position. In particular embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a lock bar defining at least one elongated (e.g., substantially planar) tab, the lock bar being mounted to slide between: (1) a locked position, in which at least a particular portion of the elongated tab is disposed in an opening defined by the housing; and (2) an unlocked position, in which the particular portion of the elongated tab is not disposed in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Pendleton Safe Company
    Inventors: Bruce Pendleton, Scott Mercer
  • Patent number: 9091099
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided to secure fishing reels to fishing rods. Interlocking apparatuses and methods are provided to secure fishing reel/rod combinations against theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Frank John LaCivita
  • Patent number: 9074391
    Abstract: A Panic lock for building into a door (2) or similar, with the panic lock including a lock case (3); a dead bolt (6); a latch bolt (8); an operating bar (12), wherein the panic lock includes a device that enable the same lock to be converted to realize the panic functions ‘B, D or E’ by moving or removing one or two screws, depending on the desired application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Remi Emiel Van Parys