Patents Examined by Darnell M. Boucher
  • Patent number: 6212921
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for providing security for either unauthorized access or unauthorized removal of portable computers. The portable computer sets on a base tray that has side and rear walls with access ports. A combined assembly of a removable locking member and an adjustable security member fits snugly over the top surface of the computer. The combined assembly is secured to the rear wall of the base tray by a flange and to the front of the base tray by a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: William W. Knighton
  • Patent number: 6176110
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking steering wheels is provided which comprises a body member, an entrapping member and a locking system. The body member has a recess therein which is configured to receive therein a portion of the steering wheel. The entrapping member is movably supported on the body member, and is moveable between a locked position in which the entrapping member retains the portion of the steering wheel in the recess, and a release position in which the steering wheel can be withdrawn from the recess. The locking system is operatively associated with the entrapping member, and selectively secures the entrapping member in the locked position so that the locking apparatus cannot be removed from the steering wheel or releases the entrapping member to move to the release position, so the locking device can be removed from the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Howard Berger Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Wu Hao
  • Patent number: 6174006
    Abstract: A tamper resistant seal comprises a series of ratchet teeth (12) arranged along a strap (14), with one end of the strap (14) being secured to a body (16) and the other end of the strap (14) being insertable into the body (16) so as to move the ratchet teeth (12) sequentially past a resiliently deformable catch (18), wherein the resiliently deformable catch (18) includes a pair of opposed jaws (44) which are movable laterally primarily with a vise-like or spelling action rather than a collet-like or flexing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David Austin Burt
  • Patent number: 6139073
    Abstract: A door lock for locking a sliding door on a transit vehicle. The lock has a base for attachment to the transit vehicle and a lock cam having a slot for engaging a door lock element attached to the door. A pivot is connected to the base and to the lock cam to provide a rotary connection of the lock cam to the base. A lock actuator is attached to the base. The lock actuator includes a moveable actuator portion for engaging the lock cam to prevent rotation of the lock cam to lock the door. The actuator also has an energized actuator portion for withdrawing the moveable actuator portion from engagement with the lock cam to release the lock cam and unlock the door. The energized actuator portion is connectable with a control system for the transit vehicle door. The lock also has a manual release mounted to engage the moveable actuator portion to move it from engagement with the lock cam to release the lock cam and hence unlock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Heffner, Fotios Golemis
  • Patent number: 6129029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a safe deposit box stored in a vault. The safe deposit box includes a customer lock and a bank lock, each of which must be opened to access the box. Apparatus is provided to permanently maintain the bank lock in an open position and to enable a customer to enter the vault without requiring the assistance of a bank teller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Ronald R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6122945
    Abstract: A new keyless door knob security device with stabilizer arm for preventing access to a keyhole of a door knob to prevent unauthorized access. The inventive device includes a central shaft that has first and second ends and a longitudinal axis extending between the ends. A claw ring has a plurality of claws extending outwardly from it and an aperture through it. The central shaft extends through the aperture of the claw ring. The claws are adapted for grasping the door knob. A cover is slidably positionable along the central shaft such that sliding the cover in a first direction presses the claws towards each other such that the claws grasp the door knob. Sliding the cover in a second direction permits the claws to move apart from each other. A locking mechanism permits selective locking of the cover in a locked orientation and an unlocked orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Jackie N. Grant
  • Patent number: 6119495
    Abstract: A programmable cylinder lock that is operable with a first key and a first master key having a different shape than the first key, and that is programmable so that the lock is no longer operable with the first key or the first master key. The reprogrammed lock is operable with a second key having a shape different from the first key and with a second master key having a shape different from the first master key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Alberto Loreti
  • Patent number: 6116663
    Abstract: A lock of the catch type adapted to use in combination with a casket is disclosed. The lock includes a locking pin and a receiving element. The locking pin in installed on the lid of the casket and has a portion configured so to enable it to engage and remain engaged, when so desired, in the receiving element of the lock. The receiving element is installed in one of the side walls of the casket so that it is directly opposite to the locking pin. The receiving element comprises a hollow cylinder case adapted to be inserted and rotate with respect to a sleeve. The hollow cylinder case and the sleeve each comprises an opening for receiving the corresponding portion of the locking pin. The receiving element further including a compressible O-ring for enabling the hollow cylinder case to be inwardly biased against the sleeve during locking and unlocking of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Cercueils Vic Royal, Inc.
    Inventor: Pascal Robert
  • Patent number: 6116062
    Abstract: A chock-type wheel lock has two V-shaped cradles joined at the lowermost part of the "V" horizontally at the tire's center. A sliding bar and cylinder lock engage the cradle members together. Alternatively, a series of adjustment blocks join the cradles together for differing tire sizes. The chocks may be adjustable having an axle which slides into notches in a cradle housing to provide for multi-size tire use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Blockit & Lockit Systems
    Inventors: Harvey Keith Markegard, Joseph Michael Higgins
  • Patent number: 6112564
    Abstract: A lock, particularly for the door of a motor vehicle, having lock elements including at least one lock element which can be connected by connecting elements to at least one manipulator. A coupling device is arranged in a force transmission path between the manipulator and the at least one lock element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Klaus Rathmann, Theo Baukholt, Sven Petzold, Jens Lubben
  • Patent number: 6109080
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a handle assembly including a tubular member having an axial hole defined in a first end thereof and extending along a longitudinal axis thereof and a receptacle defined in a second end thereof and in communication with the axial hole, and a handle formed on the second end of the tubular member. A lock core assembly is removably mounted to the receptacle of the handle assembly and includes a lock core therein. The lock core includes a key hole defined in a first end thereof. A transmission device is received in the axial hole of the tubular member and includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the transmission device includes an end face plate extending in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the key driving means, and two spaced positioning rods project outwardly from the end face plate and extend away from the first end along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Po-Yang Chen, Ming-Shyang Chiou, Sheen-Youl Gao, Kun-Feng Tsai
  • Patent number: 6105406
    Abstract: Disclosed is a security device for securement to a door in association with a latch mechanism having a face plate and knob to selectively prevent unauthorized turning of the latch mechanism and knob. The device includes a plate for securement to the door in association with the face plate of the latch mechanism. A hood element selectively prevents rotation of the latch knob, the hood element being reciprocable relative to the plate means into and out of engagement with the latch knob. The plate and the hood element preventing rotation include cooperating locking mechanisms when the hood element is brought into contact with the latch knob. There is also a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanisms. Preferably the locking mechanisms are of the pawl and ratchet type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventors: Stephen G. Thompson, Mark W. Forest
  • Patent number: 6102453
    Abstract: A power-operated vehicle door locking assembly including separate inner and outer door locking mechanisms connected with a housing assembly and an electric motorized system operable to selectively move (1) the inner door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an inner door locking position in response to inner manual electric motor energizing actuations and (2) the outer door locking mechanism between an inoperative and an outer door locking positions in response to outer manual electric motor energizing actuations. The arrangement is such that an outer manual electric motor energizing actuation without a corresponding inner manual electric motor energizing actuation causes a door latching assembly when in a door latching position to be incapable of being moved into a door unlatching position by an outer door latch releasing mechanism while at the same time the door latching assembly is capable of being moved into the door unlatching position thereof by an inner door latch releasing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventor: Roman Cetnar
  • Patent number: 6099050
    Abstract: A security override system for a locked box comprising a hasp portion connected to a bracket slideably mounted within a locked box, the hasp portion extending through an opening in an outer door of the box; the bracket being movable between a closed position, wherein the hasp portion mates with the opening to form a padlock receiving portion, and an open position, wherein the hasp portion does not mate with the opening to enable the selective insertion and removal of a locked padlock in the padlock receiving portion without first unlocking the padlock; a cam member attached to the box and controllable from outside the box; the cam member comprising a pushing portion positioned and dimensioned to cooperate with a corresponding cutout in the bracket such that the bracket is movable between the open position and the closed position by the interaction of the cam member pushing portion with the cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 6094951
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a steering column shaft in a steering column housing of a vehicle, includes a smooth bore hollow cylindrical sleeve member overlying a smooth surface steering column shaft. A longitudinal locking slot in an outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve member is engagable with a locking pin member operated by an ignition switch on the steering column housing. Torque transmitted from the steering column shaft to the sleeve member is limited by a bushing member interposed between the steering column shaft and the sleeve member. The sleeve member is supported in the inner race of a steering column bearing mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Ward R. Cusati
  • Patent number: 6095736
    Abstract: A small, compact, self-contained fastener. The fastener has a cylindrical housing of which one of the embodiments has threads located on its exterior for releasably securing the housing to a one of the two objects being fastened. Inside the housing is located a cooperating member which extends in the axial direction of the housing. The cooperating member is movable between an engaged position in which the cooperating member engages the second object and a dis-engaged position in which the cooperating member does not engage the second object. The cooperating member has a cooperating member stop shoulder opposed to the housing stop shoulder and adapted to mate with the housing stop shoulder when the cooperating member is in the engaged position. When the cooperating member is in the engaged position, the cooperating member can retain the second object at a selected position with respect to the first object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Nissi Industrial Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Virgil Miller, Nicholas Earle Miller, Roger Kent Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6082272
    Abstract: Two enclosure are secured together to provide a safe the size and shape of a box spring for supporting a mattress. Wheels and handles are provided for transport. Fasteners for the enclosure, wheels, and handles are accessible only from the interior of the enclosures to inhibit unauthorized movement of the safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: John B. Adrain
  • Patent number: 6070923
    Abstract: An outside door handle assembly for an automobile includes a handle lever that follows the motion of an outside handle. When a transverse load in excess of a predetermined value acts upon the vehicle as the result of an impact at the side thereof, the handle lever is caused to swing in the transverse direction outwardly of the vehicle against the biasing force of a spring. As a result, an opening lever in a door lock device is placed in an inoperative state so that the door will not open accidentally during a side collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Morihito Nomura, Kouji Ooe, Kouichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 6067823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for a locking mechanism comprising a lock bolt spring-assisted in the intended direction of locking, which is contained inside a lock casing connected to a plate capable of attachment along the side of a door. An actuating arm projects laterally form said lock bolt and capable of actuation by means of a handle connection extending through a door of the intended kind and a handle projecting on either side of the door. A pivoting follower acts between said handle and actuating arm for the purpose of actuating the actuating arm and the lock bolt. The arrangement has a lock component capable of being caused to move in a linear direction arranged in such a way as to be capable of displacement by means of a pivotally mounted lock component carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Arnold Ostergren
  • Patent number: 6065313
    Abstract: A safety press-type zipper lock in which a lock casing is formed with two slots for placing therein tabs of a zipper slider. Each of a left and a right push buttons has a latch hook for locking with the tab. A bounding resilient plate is disposed in the slot for bouding the tab out of the slot. The numeral wheels serve to drive the notched wheel to rotate. The notched wheel serves to drive a sliding plate to shift within the lock casing. A numeral-changing button in a numeral-changing hole of the lock casing can be pressed by a sharp article, whereby a projection at one end of the numeral-changing button is engage with a protuberance of the sliding plate to lock the sliding plate for turning the numeral wheels to change the numerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Chien-Yung Huang