Patents Examined by Steven Meyers
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Patent number: 6315337Abstract: A locking system comprises a cabinet having unframed swinging glass doors and a hasp for securing the doors in the closed position. The hasp comprises a base plate, a staple plate hingedly secured to the base plate and an L-shaped back plate having a latch staple. A first leg of the back plate and the base plate are mounted to the floor of the cabinet in a juxtaposed position with the back plate positioned on top of the base plate so that the upstanding leg of the back plate acts as a door stop when the doors are closed with the latch staple protruding therebetween. When locking the cabinet, the staple plate is swung about its hinge so as to be positioned parallel to the second leg of the back plate with the latch staple extending through an elongated slot in the staple plate and a padlock is passed through the latch staple to lock the cabinet doors.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Inventor: Bertram Fritz Albert Lewis
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Patent number: 6099051Abstract: A closure system useful for securing a device having a stylus. In a first embodiment, the closure system includes a housing having first and second housing members, the first housing member being configured to matingly contact the second housing member when the device is in a closed configuration. The stylus is received within a channel located in the second housing member. A latch release also located within the second member is controlled by the position of the stylus such that when the stylus is inserted within the channel, the latch release engages a latch located on the first member, thereby preventing the first and second members from separating. The latch release may also be used to block the latch such that the first and second housing members can not be mated when the stylus is removed from the channel. In another embodiment, a blocking device located within the second housing member and separate from the latch is utilized to prevent the device from being closed when the stylus is removed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Micron Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen C. Murphy, Hoyt A. Flemming, III
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Patent number: 6082791Abstract: An electrically controlled strike has a strike frame defining a jamb face opening and a strike face opening. A keeper assembly selectively closes across the frame face opening. A lock assembly readily reconfigurable between fail secure and fail safe arrangements locks the keeper in the closed position. The actuator of the lock assembly drives a plunger between first and second positions to lock and unlock the keeper assembly. The plunger is biased to the first position. A lock member is mountable to the plunger in the fail safe configuration wherein the keeper is released when the plunger is in the second position. The locking member is also engageable to the plunger in a fail secure arrangement wherein the keeper is locked when the plunger is in the first position and the keeper is released when the plunger is in the second position. The strike also incorporates a jamming resistant feature for both the fail safe and fail secure configurations.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Harrow Products, Inc.Inventors: George Frolov, Ryan Cutter
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Patent number: 6065785Abstract: A limiter or stop for a sliding door or sliding panel is provided. The limiter includes a shaft disposed within the escutcheon that is connected to a head. The head includes two spaced-apart holes for frictionally receiving locking rods or bars. The head is further connected to retaining elements for securing the rods in position after insertion. The rods may be manually removed and inserted into either hole in the head. Rods of differing lengths are provided. Accordingly, a single limiter is provided that may be installed in a variety of different positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignee: Reflectolite ProductsInventors: Petros Z. Mantarakis, Donald A. Becken
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Patent number: 6059329Abstract: An automotive door handle assembly adapted to be mounted in an aperture defined in the outer skin of a motor vehicle door by a flange structure. The assembly includes an escutcheon plate sized to fit in the door skin aperture and having a peripheral flange sized to fit against an outer face of the outer door skin in surrounding relation to the door skin aperture. The door handle is pivotally mounted on a front face of the escutcheon plate for door unlatching movement, and a locking member is slidably mounted on a rear face of the escutcheon plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: ADAC Plastics Inc.Inventor: Larry W. Spitzley
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Patent number: 6053544Abstract: A locking handle for a refrigerator includes a mounting element rigidly secured to a refrigerator door, a hand grip rigidly secured to the mounting element, and a latch attached to the mounting element. The latch has a catch movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and an actuator operably connected to the catch for moving the catch from the locked position to the unlocked position. The latch provides a positive lock which is actuated to an unlocked position with a manipulation separate from pulling the hand grip but has an actuator located near the hand grip so that it can be manipulated by a hand grasping and pulling the hand grip. In a first embodiment, the catch is integrally molded with the mounting portion and is laterally deflectable away from a retainer mounted beside the door. In a second embodiment the catch is a vertically extending spindle which is downwardly movable away from a retainer mounted above the door.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: White Consoldiated Industries, Inc.Inventors: Gunnar Alvring, Kenneth Andersson, Per-Olof Lindqvist, Andrew Moseley, Bo Nilsson
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Patent number: 6032987Abstract: A sliding door locking device has a fully opened condition locking mechanism and a fully closed condition locking mechanism for locking a sliding door to a vehicle body when the sliding door is at its fully opened position and fully closed position, respectively. When an inside handle is rotated in one direction for closing the sliding door, the inside handle is connected only to the fully opened condition locking mechanism for releasing the fully opened condition locking mechanism. On the other hand, when the inside handle is rotated in the other direction for opening the sliding door, the inside handle is connected to both the fully opened condition locking mechanism and the fully closed condition locking mechanism for releasing both.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ryoichi Fukumoto, Kazuya Makiuchi, Mamoru Nishihira, Masakatsu Tsubouchi
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Patent number: 6010168Abstract: A latching or locking mechanism is shown having a rotor mounted for rotation about a longitudinally extending axis, and having detent mechanism cooperating with the rotor to selectively permit a locking of the rotor, or a rotation in the clockwise, or counterclockwise, direction. A recess is provided in the rotor for cooperation with a pawl. When the rotor is locked in position, the pawl is captured in the rotor recess.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Inventor: James B. Johnson
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Patent number: 6007119Abstract: A shear-type electromagnetic lock is disclosed whose armature can approach the electromagnet from any transverse direction, which can be mounted in any orientation with respect to gravity, and which does not require any door position sensing means. The armature includes a pair of standoffs in the form of conically projecting buttons affixed thereto, the buttons projecting from the plane of contact between the armature and the electromagnet. The buttons have a base angle of 60-80 degrees adjacent the armature, and an angle of 45 degrees distal from the armature, and terminate in a smoothly rounded point. The armature is mounted to a sub-plate via counteracting springs such that the armature "floats" on the sub-plate, with the distance between the armature and the sub-plate being adjustable via adjusting screws.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Securitron Magnalock Corp.Inventors: Thomas E. Roth, Vincent J. Frallicciardi
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Patent number: 5988710Abstract: This security bar for positioning between a door and the floor has telescopic sections which permit the door to be opened a small distance, corresponding to the degree of telescoping which is permitted, so as to permit a clear gap between the door and its frame, if desired. The sections telescope by virtue of a bolt positioned through holes in one of the sections and a slot in the other section, the length of the slot determining the maximum possible telescoping. A pin can be positioned through additional holes in the first section and through the slot, to restrict the degree of telescoping which is permitted, from the maximum telescoping down to essentially no telescoping at all. The overall length of the bar preferably is adjustable as well.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Defendoor Security LimitedInventors: Cornelis Kortschot, Mark T. Kortschot, Wesley G. Whitford
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Patent number: 5984387Abstract: A portable lock for locking a door has a lock bar for insertion and retention between a door jamb and the latch side of a door. A housing is movable along the lock bar between a retracted position enabling pivoting movement of the door about its hinge between closed and open positions and a forward position engageable with the door in the closed position. A lever arm locking mechanism is movable between first and second positions for locking the housing in the forward position to prevent movement of the door from the closed position to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Inventor: Noel E. Zeller
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Patent number: 5984385Abstract: A damped latch mechanism 116 is provided for a telescoping structure 10 including an inner tubular member 114 slidingly received within an outer tubular member 112. A first latch member 122 is coupled within the one tubular member 114 and a second latch member 126 is coupled to the other tubular member 114 so as to selectively interfere with the first latch member 122 to prevent the inner tubular member 114 from moving in an axial first direction relative to the outer tubular member 112. A fluid chamber 134 is provided on one of the first and second latch members 122, 126 opposite the other of the first and second latch members 122, 126. A magneto-rheological fluid 136 is disposed within the fluid chamber 134 to absorb shock between the first and second latch members 122, 126.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Emil A. Shtarkman, L. Dwight Gilger
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Patent number: 5984382Abstract: An extended reach latch for an engine cowling and the like, including a housing having a housing slot, a hook pin carried in the housing, a hook having a hook slot, with the hook pin in the hook slot for sliding of the hook relative to the housing, first, second and third links, a first link pin joining the hook and the first link and sliding in the housing slot, a second link pin joining the first and second links, a third link pin joining the second and third links, with the third link pivoting on the hook pin, an outer handle pivotally mounted on the first link pin for movement between an open position and a closed position, and having an outer handle slot for the second link pin, and an inner handle pivotally mounted on the first link pin for movement between an open position and a closed position, and having an inner handle slot for the third link pin, with movement of the inner handle from its open position to its closed position moving the hook into the housing a first distance, and with movement of thType: GrantFiled: March 13, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Hartwell CorporationInventors: William R. Bourne, Arthur W. Dessenberger, Frank T. Jackson
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Patent number: 5984384Abstract: A vehicle door latch device comprises a longitudinal open link having an upper end connected to an open lever and a lower end connected to a lock lever. The open link is displaced into a locked position when it moves toward an exterior side of a latch body and is not overlapped with a raised portion of the latch body. A self-canceling lever is attached to the latch body by a first shaft and has a first arm connected to an ratchet pin and a second arm extending toward the open link. The second arm restores the open link to an unlocked position by when a ratchet is rotated by a contact with a latch. The first shaft is located on an exterior side of the ratchet pin. The second arm is overlapped with the open link when the open link is in the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Hamaguchi, Yoshihito Gomi
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Patent number: 5979951Abstract: A latch plate pivots between a latch position wherein the latch plate engages with the striker and an open position wherein the latch plate releases the striker. A pawl member pivots between an engaging position wherein the pawl member engages with the latch plate to restrain the latch plate in the latch position and a releasing position wherein the pawl member disengages from the latch plate. A holding lever pivots while incorporating with the latch plate and the pawl member. The holding lever includes a holding portion which is engageable with the pawl member to restrain the pawl member in the releasing position and an arm portion against which a projected part of the latch plate abuts to pivot the holding lever in a direction to disengage the holding portion from the pawl member when the latch plate is pivoted from the latch position toward the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ryoji Shimura
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Patent number: 5979952Abstract: An automotive vehicle latch system is aligned in a single operation without trial-and-error manipulations of the striker. An alignment mechanism is mounted on the vehicle body to align the striker on the vehicle body with the latch on the vehicle door. The alignment mechanism includes an elongated latch sensor having one end attached to a loosely mounted striker and another end adapted to mate with the door latch when the door is moved to a partially closed position. After the latch sensor has been locked in a proper position for alignment of the striker and latch, the door can be opened to allow the striker to be fastened to the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: Timothy A. Dering, Joseph G. Contos, Dennis M. Steward
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Patent number: 5979948Abstract: Length-convertible latch with a front box (2) inside a cylindrical receptacle (7) joined to the rear body (4) with the locking nose (6) fixed lengthwise and with a transverse cavity in the body (4) where the nose (6) can be transversally accommodated against an elastic ring (16) only in its angular position of rest and be disengaged from a first pair (9, 13) of transverse lugs of the driving arm (3) to become located in a second pair (10, 14) of transverse lugs--where arm (3) and body (4) are displaced relatively, and becoming engaged in this new position.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Talleres De Escoriaza, S.A.Inventor: Luis Angel Ruano Aramburu
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Patent number: 5979950Abstract: In a lock fitting for sliding closures a bolt-carrier includes a screwthreaded hole with its axis perpendicular to a covering plate to receive a screw for immobilizing a bolt on the bolt-carrier. The covering plate has an orifice for access to the screw and to the screwthreaded hole on the axis of the screwthreaded hole when the bolt-carrier is in its locked position. The fitting includes a plug to blank off the orifice. The plug can be retracted inside the casing to allow access to the screw and then returned to its normal position in which it blanks off the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1998Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Ferco International Ferrures et Serrures de BatimentInventors: Gerard Prevot, Gerard Desplantes, Eric Alvarez
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Patent number: 5975594Abstract: A vehicle glove box door latch assembly includes a housing with a central opening formed therein and a latch handle positioned substantially within the central opening. The latch handle is operative to actuate unlatching of the latch assembly. A utility hook is positioned substantially within the central opening and pivotally connected to the housing for pivotal movement between a stowed position within the central opening and a use position extended from the central opening. The utility hook is pivotable independently of the latch handle.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: NYX, Inc.Inventors: Chain Sandhu, Hugo Magi
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Patent number: 5975592Abstract: A lock assembly comprising a housing, a control mechanism, one pin or two pins supported by the housing for shifting movement of the pin or of the two pins in a direction transverse to direction of movement of the control mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position and a spring for each pin for enhancing the shifting movement of the corresponding pin toward the unlocked position and for automatically returning the corresponding pin toward the locked position upon release of the control mechanism. When the control mechanism is pushed manually, the pressure which is exerted upon pushing the control means compresses the spring around the pin or two pins which each shifts in a direction transverse to direction of movement of the control mechanism between the locked position and the unlocked position. Meanwhile, shifting of the pin or of the two pins permits the sliding of a cut-out section of the control mechanism until the pin or pins strike against the cut-out sections of the control mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Inventor: Joe Lin