Patents Examined by Suzanne Dino Barrett
  • Patent number: 7290415
    Abstract: A puck shaped lock including a substantially cylindrical body into which a cavity is formed and a movable bolt that passes through the cavity and is shiftable from a first position advanced across the cavity to a second position substantially withdrawn from the cavity and which can be releasably secured across the cavity fixedly connected to and extending from the puck shaped lock and being securable to a door or a door jamb. The invention further includes a hasp member supporting a first staple securable to a door or a doorjamb. When the puck shaped lock is positioned overlying the hasp member the staple is inserted into the cavity and the movable bolt can be advanced across the cavity and through the opening in the staple whereby the puck shaped lock and the hasp member are secured together and the door is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cargo Protectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Avron S. Rosenberg, Matt Prazenka
  • Patent number: 7287404
    Abstract: A security device for engaging an threaded element includes an inner body configured to engage the threaded element and an outer body operatively coupled to the inner body. A lock is configured to engage the outer body and is operable such that the outer body moves with the inner body when the lock is in an extended configuration and freely rotates relative to the inner body when the lock is in a retracted configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Flow Security Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Nickeas, Martin Nickeas
  • Patent number: 7287403
    Abstract: A hook latch for fastening and unfastening a closure member to a keeper in a latched position. The hook latch is moveable between the latched position and an open position. The hook latch comprises a rotation means which preferably comprises a knob connected to a cam shaped protuberance which acts upon an actuator plate and a locking plate. Upon rotation of either the knob or the key which is inserted in a lock cylinder which has a locking ring having a cam-shaped protuberance, the cam-shaped protuberances displace both the actuator plate and the locking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Henric Johansson, Torsten Johansson, Claes Magnusson
  • Patent number: 7284400
    Abstract: Apparatus is simply hung on a deadbolt knob when the deadbolt is in locked position. It prevents the deadbolt knob from rotating enough to retract the deadbolt. This ensures that the door cannot be unlocked from the outside. A passage in an upper end of the apparatus is dimensioned to receive the deadbolt knob. The deadbolt knob is not round. The passage has side walls narrow enough to prevent the deadbolt knob from rotating freely within the passage. As the knob is rotated, the knob engages the side walls of the passage so that the entire apparatus rotates until the lower end of the apparatus engages a fixed element that prevents further rotation of the knob. That fixed element is either the door jamb or the doorknob. This immobilizes the knob and deadbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Andrew Agozzino
  • Patent number: 7284399
    Abstract: An inmate transport restraint which comprises a handcuff having two loops formed from two straps, each strap separately inserted into a housing, wherein each housing has a first channel and a second channel, with the strap passing through each channel, the second channel adapted for releasably retaining a free end of the strap and the first channel retaining a stop end of the strap in a semi-permanent manner, the housing further containing a key-operated lift cam that cooperates with a tension spring to releasably retain the strap within the housing. The restraint further comprises a handcuff cover which fits over a portion of the handcuff to limit access and movement of the hands and wrists. The cover cooperates with a link pin, attached to a belly chain, to secure an inmate for transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Vernon G. Sisco
  • Patent number: 7281400
    Abstract: A padlock for motorcycle brake disks having a body with a neck whose width is adjusted to the thickness of a motorcycle brake disk, and a latch which can pass through one of the conventional orifices of this brake disk. The latch operates between a retracted position within the body and an extended position in which it penetrates with its tip into a locking mechanism formed inside the body itself. Once the padlock has been positioned on the disk brake, the body prevents turning of the wheel because it abuts against the motorcycle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Luma Industries, S.A.
    Inventor: Alfredo Muerza
  • Patent number: 7281401
    Abstract: A protective sleeve for a lock includes a circumferential wall delimiting a longitudinal through-hole. The circumferential wall includes at least one longitudinal slot, forming at least one shielding skirt for shielding a housing of a latch mechanism of a lock that extends into the protective sleeve via the longitudinal slot. A tab extends from a perimeter delimiting the longitudinal slot into the longitudinal through-hole of the protective sleeve. The tab is extended through by an associated mounting post of the lock. A lock with such a protective sleeve is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 7281477
    Abstract: A security device for transporting monies from a cash acceptance terminal to a bank or similar safe location includes a note tube and a pair of flexible bags containing dye. Cutters operated by explosive devices when an unauthorised attempt is made to break into the note tube pass down the sides of the bags and rip them open. There is provided spring loaded pressure plates which serve to compress the bags to cause the dye to be ejected effectively into the note tube to stain all the notes therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Qube Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Dyson, James Michael King, Gary Malcolm Keyser
  • Patent number: 7278665
    Abstract: The invention is used for locking and sealing railway wagons and containers, warehouses, shops, stalls etc. The invention makes it possible to increase the locking reliability by means of a small, easy-touse device. The inventive device comprises a part of wire rope whose one end passes through a body and is fixed with the aid of two spring-loaded rollers during a locking operation. The external side surface of each roller has a spiral or dentate shape and is formed by successively disposed collars and annular grooves. Each roller together with the spring thereof and a pusher is arranged inside the body on a separate mounting seat which is embodied in the form of a longitudinal slot whose width corresponds to the diameter of the roller. The slots are disposed at an angle with respect to each other and the longitudinal axis of the end-to-end channel of the body. The slots are provided with end cylindrical stop surfaces which are oriented towards the input hole of the body and offset with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Nikolay Timofeevich Rogatnev
  • Patent number: 7272962
    Abstract: A cable lockout assembly includes a base and a cover. The cover is rotatably fixed relative to the base for rotation about a center axis between a lock position and an unlock position. A cable is wound around the center axis between the base and the cover. The cable has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed relative to the lockout assembly, and the second end extends from the cable lockout assembly a predetermined length. In the unlock position, the second end is detachably fixable to the cable lockout assembly. In the lock position, when the second end is fixed to the cable lockout assembly, the second end is not detachable from the cable lockout assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Benda, Keith R. Bound, Steven N. Kisch
  • Patent number: 7272963
    Abstract: A gate latch including a bolt portion, a sleeve portion and a channel bolt. The sleeve portion is mounted on a generally U-shaped clamp assembly that is adapted to fit around tubular gate members. The sleeve portion further includes a receiving notch and a padlock portion. The padlock portion is adapted to receive a standard padlock and to surround the shackle of the padlock so as to deter attempts to attack the shackle with cutting tools. The bolt portion includes a C-shaped channel adapted to be secured around tubular gate members and a sleeve in which the channel bolt slides. The channel bolt generally includes an elongate channel, an adjustable stop, a dead stop, a handle and a locking notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Cargo Protectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Avron S. Rosenberg, Ben Bricko
  • Patent number: 7269985
    Abstract: By providing a magnifying member which is securely affixed to the housing of a combination padlock in cooperating association with the rotating dials thereof, an easily produced, combination padlock is achieved which provides a display zone for the pre-set combination wherein the indicia formed on each of the dials is easily seen and readily visible for any user. By positioning the magnifying member in overlying, aligned relationship with the rotatable dials, the visibility of the indicia formed on each dial is greatly enhanced. As a result, any user is able to immediately determine and recognize the different indicia formed on each rotatable dial, and quickly position the combination of indicia which represent the preselected combination for releasing the shackle from locked engagement with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Lai, Karl Lai
  • Patent number: 7269984
    Abstract: A latch for securing together two members such as a frame member to which the latch is connected and a door or panel which can swing into position and into a stop position when the door or panel member contacts a rotary pawl which is biased to the unlatched position. The latch has a trigger assembly which releases the rotary pawl from the latched position when the latch is unlocked and actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Jackson
  • Patent number: 7267018
    Abstract: A steering lock system includes at least an ignition switch and a locking mechanism capable of inhibiting the turning of a steering shaft. In a state in which the steering lock system is retained by a retaining means on a support table, a movable table is moved toward the support table, a turnable shaft which includes a key chuck means retaining a key at its tip end is rotatably driven by a driving means, thereby rotatably driving a rotor of the steering lock system. By examining the change in the switching mode of the ignition switch in accordance with the turning of the rotor by a switch signal checking means and examining the operational state of the locking mechanism by a locking operation examining means, the inspection can be conducted continuously and automatically on the operation of at least the ignition switch and the locking mechanism of the steering lock system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Kai
  • Patent number: 7266981
    Abstract: A locker lock that provides for increased security and ease of use. The locker lock can be a vertical built-in lock or a horizontal built-in lock. In each case the lock is symmetrical such that it can be used in either right-handed or left-handed lockers. The locker lock provides for increased security by increasing the distance the lock bolt must travel. The locker lock also provides for an easy combination changing mechanism, such that the combination can be changed without opening the lock and the locker lock can accommodate a large number of lock combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Edward Flory, Christopher Haczynski
  • Patent number: 7260963
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device which can prevent a motor from being overloaded and can increase the drive force of the motor. The electric steering lock device of the present invention has a lock bar that moves according to the movement of a lift member. In a state where female threads provided on the lift member are threadably engaged with male threads provided on a rotary shaft, the lift member moves along the axis of the rotary shaft according to the rotation of the rotary shaft, which is driven by an electric motor. The female threads of the lift member can be disengaged from the male threads according to the rotation of the rotary shaft. When the female threads are disengaged from the male threads, rotation of the rotary shaft is permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Noriyuki Suzuki, Tomoyuki Funayama, Toshio Asahi, Tomoo Kakegawa
  • Patent number: 7260964
    Abstract: An actuating device for a door or hatch of a vehicle includes a carrier for moving a slide between a locking position and a release position for locking a turret to be inserted into an opening of the carrier in a desired inserted position. The slide is provided on its front side in the pull-out direction with a lobe which includes a radially outer surface pointing away from the inserted turret. The turret has an opposing lobe facing the insertion direction, wherein the opposing lobe is arranged at a radial distance from the adjacent circumferential zone of the turret and includes a radially inner surface facing the turret. When the turret is moved into the locking position, the lobe travels into a radial distance from the slide and is moved behind the opposing lobe where the lobe rests with its radially outer surface on the radially inner surface of the opposing lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürts GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mensur Velicanin, Stefan Mönig
  • Patent number: 7261334
    Abstract: A method as disclosed for operating a motor bidirectionally to cinch and release a closure panel of a motor vehicle. The motor is operatively connected to a pawl, ratchet and spring of a latch for the closure panel. The method includes the step of driving the motor in a cinching direction to rotate the ratchet to cinch the closure panel in the closed position. The motor is then returned to a park position by driving the motor in a park direction opposite to the cinching direction. Power is applied to the motor to drive the motor in a release direction to drive the motor past the park position with respect to the cinching direction. In doing so, the motor contracts the spring as it moves in the release direction. Power is then removed from the motor allowing the spring to force the motor to return to the park position as the spring returns to its steady state position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: G. Clarke Oberheide, Gregory A. Jorgensen, John G. Zeabari, Thomas L. McGettrick
  • Patent number: 7257973
    Abstract: An interconnected chassis includes a mounting plate including a spring engaging tab. A cover plate includes a recessed spring retention wall. A lower cam has a lower pivot axis. An upper cam has an upper pivot axis. A slide plate is positioned between the mounting plate and the cover plate, the slide plate having a spring retention slot and a spring support ledge. The slide plate includes a first end having a pivot feature and a second end having a lower cam engagement member for engaging the lower cam. A spring is positioned in the spring retention slot of the slide plate and in the recessed spring retention wall of the cover plate, and between the spring engaging tab of the mounting plate and the spring support ledge of the slide plate. A toggle is pivotably coupled to the slide plate by the pivot feature, the toggle having a head portion positioned to engage the upper cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Romero, Jeanette Vy Bui, Graham John Wheatland
  • Patent number: 7257970
    Abstract: A lock protector for protecting a padlock of the type having an exposed shackle and body. The lock protector includes a face plate or shield having a member extending from a rear surface that has two openings for securing the shield to the legs of a shackle. The face plate covers the shackle to protect the shackle from access to cutting devices such as bolt cutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Michael St. James