Patents Examined by Jeffrey O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11624224
    Abstract: An automotive lift-off hinge joint to rotationally connect an automotive door and body comprises first and second door side hinge brackets and a body side hinge bracket. A detent shaft is provided with an interiorly threaded intermediate portion adapted to receive a removable threaded fastener and with a shaped detent shaft feature adapted to engage a similarly shaped pyramidal portion of a guide pin fastened to the body side hinge bracket. The detent shaft is rotationally mounted within a cylindrical check mechanism and secured in relation to the first and second door side hinge brackets. Bushings in door side hinge bracket apertures allow rotation of portions of the detent shaft extending through the apertures. The pyramidal shaped portions are preferably square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MULTIMATIC INC.
    Inventor: Christopher Robert Kovach
  • Patent number: 11619088
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a jacket defining an axis and a rod having an end cylinder tightly slidable in the jacket and an opposite end sliding between a rest position and a working position. The end cylinder divides the jacket into a first and a second variable volume compartments fluidly independent from each other, one of them being fluidly insulated and under vacuum, the other one being fluidly communicating with the outside environment. Upon the passage of the opposite end of the rod from the rest position to the working position, one of the variable volume compartments passes from a minimum volume to a maximum volume, in order to suck the rod and automatically recall the opposite end from the working position to the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Luciano Bacchetti
  • Patent number: 11619087
    Abstract: The hold-open arrester arrangement has a hold-open arrester arrangement having a hold-open function to hold a door open. The arrangement has also an electric release arrangement. The release arrangement is arranged to release the hold-open function in a fire alarm situation. The hold-open arrester arrangement comprises a sliding block and an arrester unit. The sliding block is connectable with a slide rail in a sliding manner and also pivotable connectable to an arm of a door closer. The arrester unit is connectable to the slide rail and has a body, said electric release arrangement, and said hold-open function with the sliding block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ABLOY OY
    Inventors: Sauli Seppänen, Juhani Karvonen
  • Patent number: 11613195
    Abstract: A boarding and exiting handrail including: a base part provided near an entrance-and-exit of a vehicle so as to be rotatable with an axis oriented in an up-down direction; a handrail main part capable of being gripped by passengers boarding and exiting through the entrance-and-exit; and a rail part slidably holding a sliding member mounted on a sliding door that opens and closes the entrance-and-exit by moving along an outer wall surface of the vehicle. When the sliding door opens the entrance-and-exit, the boarding and exiting handrail assumes a deployed posture with the handrail main part and the rail part protruded toward the outside of the vehicle as seen from above, and when the sliding door closes the entrance-and-exit, the boarding and exiting handrail assumes a retracted posture with the handrail main part and the rail part disposed along the sliding door as seen from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideyuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 11607795
    Abstract: Rotatable handles and related methods are disclosed herein. In one form, the handle has a clip member that fits around a cylindrical object and a handle. The clip member includes a track that guides rotation of the handle about a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object. The handle includes an actuator that operates a braking member which comprises a braking surface that is movable into and out of contact with the track. When the braking surface is out of contact the track, the handle is movable relative to the track when permitting the handle to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical object. Rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis of the handle operates the actuator, causing the braking surface to move into and out of contact with the track. Various methods are also disclosed herein with respect to the rotatable handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Brauer, Scott J. Emmerich
  • Patent number: 11603688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge for a swinging door, the hinge has at least one hinge axis element, a first hinge part and a second hinge part which are connected to one another in a hinge-like manner via the at least one hinge axis element, at least one latching arrangement, which comprises at least one latching means arranged at the second hinge part and comprising a latching body, and at least one latching recess arranged at the hinge axis element, wherein the latching means is configured such that the latching body engages in the latching recess in a latching position, and a clamping means for releasably fixing the hinge axis element to the first hinge part, wherein an angular position of the hinge axis element and the latching recess with respect to the first hinge part can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Bohle AG
    Inventor: Frank Windmann
  • Patent number: 11591836
    Abstract: The door prop apparatus disclosed herein is configured to secure a door in a partially opened position relative to a door frame defining a doorway, in various aspects. The door prop apparatus includes a mounting member adapted to attach to the door frame latch jamb and thereby secure the apparatus to the latch jamb, in various aspects. The door prop apparatus includes a latch receiving member adapted to receive the door latch therein, in various aspects. As the door is urged from an open position towards a closed position, the latch receiving member receives the door latch therein and thereby secures the door in the partially opened position, in various aspects. The door handle is operable to retract the latch into the door and thereby release the door from the secured partially opened position, in various aspects. Related methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Scott W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11572727
    Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to an adjustment indicator mechanism for a door closer including a tubular portion and an adjustment screw mounted to the tubular portion. A housing is configured for mounting to the door closer, and includes a channel and indicia adjacent the channel, each of the indicia corresponding to a respective size of the door closer. An adjustment transmission includes a first component configured for coupling with the adjustment screw. An indicator transmission is engaged with the adjustment transmission and mounted in the housing. An indicator is movably mounted to the housing such that a portion of the indicator is visible via the channel. The indicator is engaged with the indicator transmission such that movement of the indicator transmission causes the indicator to selectively align with the indicia to thereby indicate the current size of the door closer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, David V. Toloday, Nagesh Varadaraju, Aditya Heblikar, James W. Overbey
  • Patent number: 11572724
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for absorbing energy in a hinge are provided. An apparatus may include a first portion, a second portion coupled to the first portion to move relative to the first portion, and a tab configured relative to the first and second portions to absorb energy imparted to the second portion during a collision. The tab may be bendable via rotation as the second portion moves towards the first portion during the collision. The first portion may be a hinge bracket securable to a vehicle body. The second portion may be a hinge arm securable to a vehicle hood. The tab may be positioned at least partially between the first portion and the second portion for selective interference of the tab with one of the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Charles Steinbrecher, Kimberly A. Strigle, Eric M. Botten, Peter J. Finnie, Prashant K. Deore
  • Patent number: 11566459
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a swinging door includes a shifting pivot point movable between a first concealed positioned and a second extended position to provide clearance for protruding trim pieces and the like upon opening the swinging door. A double action spring mechanism energizes to drive the shifting pivot point between the first and second positions. An assembly including a link arm and a bell crank is driven by the double action spring mechanism to shift the shifting pivot point and locking mechanisms are provided to lock each of the link arm and the bell crank in their respective extended positions. A compartment assembly includes a swinging door, a fixed structure to which the swinging door is movably coupled, at least one hinge assembly according to the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 11555329
    Abstract: A pull assembly that affords users the option of one of at least three positions along an operatively associated drawer or door board, wherein the drawer or the door board provide the conventional manufacturer pair of bore holes spaced apart. The pull assembly provides three pairs of complimentary holes, each pair spaced apart to align with the pair of bore holes of the drawer or the door board. The three pairs of complimentary holes are arranged so that every other hole of the pull assembly defines a pair of complementary holes, wherein two pull assembly holes are adjacent to each other near a middle portion of the pull assembly. The holes on the back of the pull could be four, five or six aligned to the two boring holes of the door or drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Mitchell Ray Bakker
  • Patent number: 11549297
    Abstract: Mechanism for moving a furniture door, apt to be placed on a lateral side of the piece of furniture and to move a door by a system of levers, the mechanism comprising a spring unit acting on the system of levers to balance the weight force of the door during opening, wherein the spring unit is pivotally mounted and acts directly on a main or thrust lever, mounted rotating around an axis, by a pin housed in a first cam slot formed in the lever and in a second cam slot placed in a fixed position with respect to the lateral side of the piece of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: DONGTAI HARDWARE PRECISION (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: Antonio Giovannetti
  • Patent number: 11541528
    Abstract: A handheld implement with a replaceable work tool includes a handle body which is equipped with a locking device for detachably mounting the work tool. The locking device includes a movable member, at least one retaining member and a first spring. The first spring abuts against the retaining member so that the retaining member is inserted into a locking hole of the work tool while remaining in an extended state. The retaining member includes a first mating body including at least one second mating body. The second mating body includes a mating portion, and the movable member performs translational movement so that the mating portion and the first mating body cooperate with each other to drive the retaining member to retreat and then withdraw from the locking hole of the work tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Weidong Chen
  • Patent number: 11542738
    Abstract: A door closer, including: an anchor assembly, including: a frame mounting plate which is fixable relative to a door frame; and an adjustor plate; and an actuator assembly for mounting within the thickness of a door leaf to move the door leaf between open and closed configurations relative to the door frame, the actuator assembly including an operating member coupled by a link to the adjustor plate and mounted for a range of movements between a fully retracted position, in which the anchor assembly is held adjacent the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the closed configuration, and an extended position, in which the anchor assembly is in spaced relation to the actuator assembly when the door leaf is in the open configuration, the link being configured to extend from the adjustor plate along a first axis, wherein the frame mounting plate is provided with one or more slot(s), the or each slot being elongated along a second axis, the second axis being generally orthogonal to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Samuel Heath & Sons PLC
    Inventor: Adam Paul Daniels
  • Patent number: 11536065
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hinge arrangement for a switchgear housing cabinet, having a first hinge half, which is fastened to a vertical side wall, delimiting a door opening, of a switchgear cabinet housing, and having a second hinge half, which is fastened to a door element, the hinge halves being connected to each other such that they can pivot relative to each other via a rotation axis, so that the door element closes the door opening when in a closed position and preferably completely exposes the door opening when in an open position, and the rotation axis being outside the outer periphery of both the door opening and the door element, wherein at least one of the hinge halves has a groove, via which the hinge half is fitted onto a protrusion on the outer periphery of the part of the switchgear cabinet housing and of the door element associated with the hinge half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: RITTAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Achim Bloh, Nora Schöndorf, Wolfgang Reuter
  • Patent number: 11530562
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a swinging door includes a shifting pivot point movable between a first concealed positioned and a second extended position to provide clearance for protruding trim pieces and the like upon opening the swinging door. A double action spring mechanism energizes to drive the shifting pivot point between the first and second positions. An assembly including a link arm and a bell crank is driven by the double action spring mechanism to shift the shifting pivot point and locking mechanisms are provided to lock each of the link arm and the bell crank in their respective extended positions. A compartment assembly includes a swinging door, a fixed structure to which the swinging door is movably coupled, at least one hinge assembly according to the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 11530559
    Abstract: A hinge includes: a vehicle body-side hinge member that includes a vehicle body attachment portion for attachment to a vehicle body; a back door-side hinge member that includes a door attachment portion for attachment to a back door and a coupling portion extending from the door attachment portion toward the vehicle body-side hinge member, the coupling portion including a reinforcing rib on both edges in a width direction intersecting an extension direction of the coupling portion; and a rotational support member that couples an end portion, at a side of the vehicle body-side hinge member, of the coupling portion together with the vehicle body-side hinge member, and that supports the vehicle body-side hinge member and the back door-side hinge member so as to allow relative rotation of the vehicle body-side hinge member and the back door-side hinge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO MATERIALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeya Nakamura, Kyoichi Tomita, Teruhiko Iwata, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Onodera, Yasuko Aizawa
  • Patent number: 11524399
    Abstract: A slidable handle grip assembly includes a tubular member that has a first end, a second end, and a perimeter wall extending between the first and second ends. The first and second ends are open. The tubular member is positioned on an elongated shaft of a tool such that the tubular member can slidably move from a grip end to a head end of the tool. An outer surface of the perimeter wall defines a supplemental handhold for the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: James Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 11484427
    Abstract: A hinge has a hinge body forming an articulating section extending between a first end and a second end of the hinge. The articulating section is adapted to bend from a neutral axis when the first and second ends are parallel to an angular range in which the first end is arranged among a plurality of angles within the angular range relative to the second end. The hinge body may define a receptacle along the articulating section, and an insert may be provided for insertion into the receptacle. The insert can modify the stiffness of the hinge in the angular range and is arranged parallel to the neutral axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OSSUR ICELAND EHF
    Inventors: Larus Gunnsteinsson, Bjorn Omarsson, Sindri Pall Sigurdsson, Henry Hsu
  • Patent number: 11466491
    Abstract: Trunk lid stopper mechanism and method for controlling rotational speed of a trunk lid to slow down and halt its movement, and to hold the trunk lid at the halted position. The stopper mechanism comprises hinge arms for supporting the lid, torsion bars for applying biasing force to the lid, and link arms for transmitting biasing force from torsion bars to the hinge arms. Either each hinge arm or link arm is equipped with a stopper member that brakes the rotation movement of the trunk lid and halts the trunk lid fully-open. The stopper member has tapered surfaces for reducing relative rotational speed between the hinge and link arms by being forced therebetween during their relative rotational movement, and a stopper surface(s) for abutting against the other arm and halting the arms' relative rotational movement at the fully open position of the trunk lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Niitech Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masakazu Doi, Mitsuhiro Kataoka