Patents Examined by Suzanne L. Dino
  • Patent number: 5520033
    Abstract: An anti-theft device (1) intended for vehicles belongs to a type, which is capable of retaining the vehicle brake in a braking condition, as long as it is activated, and which is non-interfering with the brake in an inactivated condition. The anti-theft device (1) comprises a lock rod (3) provided at one end with hook or crook (5) for gripping around a brake pedal arm (26), the lock rod (3) to a major extent consisting of a shank portion (4), which is releasably lockable within a lock housing (2), which in turn is firmly secured to the vehicle in the vicinity of the brake pedal. The shank portion (4), which is provided with a helicoidal groove (6), extends through the lock housing and through a rotatably disposed element (14) therein, the hole for the shank portion (4) through the rotatable element (14) having a helicoidal ridge (16), which is complementary to the helicoidal groove (6) in the shank portion (4) and cooperates therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventors: Bjorn Holmberg, Kjell-Ake Nilsson
  • Patent number: 5517838
    Abstract: A portable deadbolt lock security device is configured to prevent the handle of the deadbolt lock from being turned. The device includes a flexible strap having a first end, a second end, and a medial portion. An opening is located in the first end of the strap. A fastener is provided for mutually engaging the second end of the strap with the medial portion. In use, the handle of the deadbolt lock is turned to its locked position and inserted into the opening in the first end of the strap. Subsequently, the second end of the strap is encircled about the stem of a doorknob, pulled taut, and brought into mutual engagement with the medial portion of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Melinda A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5518351
    Abstract: An article of manufacture consisting of a self-tapping screw with a hex nut, joined to the head thereof where the hex nut including an internally threaded central bore, is used to facilitate the suspension of water pipes from a ceiling member in a building. The article can be inserted into the ceiling surface by first inserting the hex head into a socket which is affixed to the chuck of an electric drill. When the drill is energized, the self-tapping screw drills into or through the ceiling surface. Now, when the article is pulled free from the drill-mounted wrench socket, a threaded rod may be screwed into the hex nut for suspending a pipe cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Eugene D. Peil
  • Patent number: 5518281
    Abstract: A locker handle assembly having a recessed mounting receptacle with a bolt mounted thereon for sliding reciprocal movement. The bolt includes a front bar, and a back bar which is connected at one end to one end of the front bar, and at its other end to a point midway between the ends of the front bar. A non-moveable door pull is connected to a sidewall of the mounting receptacle and provides a safe means for opening the locker door and prevents the ability of a combination padlock from being manipulated, while locked, so that the locker can be opened, but still allows access to the back of the padlock for use of a key thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas I. Steward
  • Patent number: 5513508
    Abstract: An apparatus for inflating inflatable articles, such as bicycle tire inner tubes, and for securing mobile articles, such as bicycles, to other objects. In one preferred embodiment, a first length of cable and a second length of cable are kept within a housing until needed to secure the article to an object. A cable holding sleeve holds the lengths of cable in a substantially side-by-side relationship when the cables are within the housing. When needed, the lengths of cable are withdrawn from the housing, passed through the frame of the article, around the object and the two ends of the cables are locked together by way of, for example, a cylindrical combination lock. When the first and second lengths of cable are unlocked, a constant tension spring, provided in some embodiments, retracts the lengths of cable back into the housing. Other embodiments of the invention are provided with a pump piston at the end of the lengths of cable which remain within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Paradigm Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Saunders, Wayne E. Saunders, Raymond C. Saunders, David W. Saunders
  • Patent number: 5511494
    Abstract: A transaction drawer for efficiently converting the rotational motion of a carrier supporting structure into linear motion of the carrier. The carrier supporting mechanism has a first arm which is supported on a base of the drawer frame, and which pivots about the base. The first arm is pivotably connected to a second arm, which is in turn pivotably connected to the carrier. The second arm and the base are connected by a first transmission assembly, which rotates the second arm about the first arm in response to the first arm's rotation about the base. The first arm and the carrier are connected by a second transmission assembly, which rotates the carrier about the second arm in response to the second arm's rotation about the first arm. The first and second transmission assemblies cooperate to maintain the carrier at a constant angular position relative the drawer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Hamilton Safe Company
    Inventor: Lowell Scott
  • Patent number: 5507160
    Abstract: A locking device for locking a brake disk includes a slot formed in a body which includes a groove for receiving a shank and a chamber for receiving a housing. A circuit board is engaged in the housing and includes a switch. A stud is slidably engaged between the shank and the switch. The stud is disengaged from the switch when the stud is engaged in the recess of the shank, and the stud is forced toward the switch in order to depress the switch when the stud is disengaged from the shank and when the shank is engaged inward of the body so as to lock the brake disk in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventor: Jin-Ren Shieh
  • Patent number: 5505066
    Abstract: An apparatus for alternately retaining a selected one of a pair of keys and releasing the other one of the pair of keys is provided. The retained key cannot be released until the other key is again disposed in a retained position. The apparatus includes a base plate having a pair of key receptacles, a slider assembly slidably mounted on the base plate, a visitor key having a pinion gear and a home key. The slider assembly includes a pair of key retaining slots for respectively retaining each key and a rack for driving engagement by the visitor key pinion gear for effecting sliding movement of the slider assembly in response to rotation of the visitor key pinion gear. A conventional key can be secured to the home key to control use of the conventional key through the selected release and retention of the visitor key and the home key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: One Way Out, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry H. Baucom
  • Patent number: 5501086
    Abstract: A security device for personal property at a beach includes two rods of a particular construction to permit ready mounting in loose soil or sand. A bar is formed to be attached readily between the two rods, so that neither rod can be turned to remove. A chain is secured at one end of the bar which prevents removal of the bar, and a padlock secures the chain to an item to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas M. Sherlock
  • Patent number: 5498039
    Abstract: A spring loaded latch assembly including a first stationary member for securement to a desired stationary surface, and a second movable member wherein the assembly provides for controlled reciprocating movement between the two members from a first closed position to a second open position upon pushing engagement by a user. The first stationary member includes a housing, a spring member secured within a portion of the housing by a retaining member and a latch arm connected thereto. The second movable member includes an engagement member in operable communication with the spring member to provide a spring force between the two members and a latch track member for cooperative engagement with the latch arm of the first member. The assembly also includes a release member that enables disengagement of the latch arm from the latch track without causing damage to the first or second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Steven L. Bivens
  • Patent number: 5490468
    Abstract: A safe, vault or container 10 has a laminate wall that is resistant to the cutting effects of a high-temperature torch. The wall of the safe, vault or container 10 comprises a hardened steel outer panel 21 and a hardened steel inner panel 22. A refractory abrasive layer 23, as of Carborundum, is disposed adjacent the outer panel 21 to break any drill that might penetrate through the outer panel 21. A thermally conductive layer 24 is disposed adjacent the abrasive layer 23 to conduct heat rapidly away from any localized hot spots that might develop within the abrasive layer 23 when heat from a high-temperature torch is applied to a region of the outer panel 21. A thermally insulating layer 25 is disposed between the thermally conductive layer 24 and the inner panel 22 to inhibit heat transfer from the thermally conductive layer 24 to the inner panel 22. The thermally insulating layer 25 comprises a porous ceramic material consisting of vitreously fused ceramic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Polensky
  • Patent number: 5488846
    Abstract: A security device for an automobile having a floor pan that defines a lower surface of an operators compartment in the automobile. The security mechanism includes a key operated lock assembly that is securely mounted in the floor pan. A first end of the lock assembly is engagable with a manually operated key and is disposed to the interior of the drivers compartment while the second end of the lock assembly is disposed to the exterior of the drivers compartment. The lock assembly includes a locking member which moves between extended and retracted positions in response to manipulation of the key in the lock assembly. In a retracted position, the locking member is disposed to permit normal shifting and conditioning of a shiftable transmission of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Inventor: Paul Green
  • Patent number: 5488913
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically receiving and dispensing banknotes and valuables comprising a protection casing (2) provided with access openings (3, 4), compartments (7) adapted to contain banknotes and valuables and movable along a loop-shaped movement path (6) extending within the protection casing (2) and passing close to the access openings (3, 4), drive and guide means (9) for moving the compartments (7), and electronic means (35) acting on the drive and guide means (9) and designed to select the compartments (7) to be positioned close to the access openings (3, 4), based on predetermined procedures and commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: M.I.B. Elettronica S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giuseppe E. Fumanelli
  • Patent number: 5485734
    Abstract: A combination lock integrates the key lock performance into a combination lock, so that it can be unlocked by a supplement key when the combination number has been forgotten. The combination lock includes a base and cover assembly equipped with at least one numerical wheel, a sliding block slidably received within the base and cover assembly, a control means which has an engaging element being operably received on the sliding block, and sliding plate slidably received between the base and the sliding block. The sliding plate has at least one ear to control a sliding movement of the sliding plate and cooperate with the at least one numerical wheel, and a guide portion cooperating with the engaging element. The guide portion has two ends, the sliding plate being confined to move with the sliding block when the engaging element is in the first end and the sliding block being freely slidable relative to the sliding plate when the engaging element is in the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Kuo-Tsung Yang
  • Patent number: 5485733
    Abstract: A magnetic lock has a latch magnet positioned on a pivotal latch. An axial section of the pivotal latch is attached pivotally to a latch housing at a latch axis. The latch housing is attached to an inside of a compartment closure that is closeable against a frame to which a latch plate is attached. A plate-contact end of the pivotal latch is extended outward radially from the axial section of the pivotal latch. An axial-end magnetic pole of the latch magnet is positioned proximate the axial section of the pivotal latch. An actuation-end magnetic pole of the latch magnet is positioned proximate the plate-contact end of the pivotal latch. A reset magnet is positioned on the latch housing at an opposite side of the latch axis from a latch-plate side of the pivotal latch. Magnetic poles of the reset magnet are positioned in like-pole-to-like-pole relationship to the latch magnet, such that the reset magnet repels the latch magnet to actuate the pivotal latch in a direction of engagement with the latch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: Charles G. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5483746
    Abstract: A hand operated slot-forming tool has an elongated nose portion having a mechanically advantaged dual edge cutting blade which is pivotally mounted over a slotted dual element anvil blade having shearing edges which work in opposition to the dual edges of the cutting blade in response to squeezing of handles on the tool which cause the cutting edges to close together in gradual shearing contact with stock to be slotted. The cutting blade can be placed in abutting contact with the right angled leg to produce a slot having one edge lying at the intersection of fight angle legs of a channel member. Uniform reproducible slots are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Inventor: Gerald W. Beyers
  • Patent number: 5481890
    Abstract: A field conversion means to convert a knob-handle cylindrical lockset either with or without a key cylinder, installed in a door, to a lever-handle cylindrical lockset without changing any existing original key cylinder. The conversion means comprises an inside and an outside means, each including a lever-handle, a drive cartridge adaptor cylinder and a rosette or escutcheon containing a helical spring and a positive stop disk. The spring is biased to oppose droop of said lever-handle from a normal horizontal position and to oppose downward operating force, applied to said lever-handle and is increasingly biased when the lever is operated to oppose downward rotation of the lever. Stop means are provided in the rosette or escutcheon to limit the angular rotational travel of said lever-handle. Differently sized adapters are provided to permit the conversion of different sized cylindrical locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Norman A. Millman
  • Patent number: 5481889
    Abstract: A latching apparatus includes a rack and pinion drive. A latch bar slide between a latched and unlatched position with ramped latching members mounted on the bar engaging complementary latching members. The latch connects to several types of latch actuators including a button actuator having rotation indicating means. The latch is also configured to connect to a keyed latch actuator and a push-button actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Federal-Hoffman, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Richard, David B. Wightman, Clifford A. Klinger, Steven J. Hammond, Joseph D. Ricke
  • Patent number: 5480198
    Abstract: A drive arrangement for a security system has at least one actuating member which is supported so as to be movable out of an open position into a closing position, and vice versa, and serves to close and/or open locks, locking bolt mechanisms or catch mechanisms. Two reversible electric motors drive the actuating member by way of a geared connection which transforms rotational drive movements into translatory drive movements the geared connection is in the form of a differential gear unit having a driven member which is associated with the actuating member and having drive members which are associated with the electric motors. Each of the motors is in a geared connection with the drive members and forms an autonomously self-locking drive path which is supported by a bridge relative to forces emanating from the actuating member for moving the actuating member out of the open position into the closing position, and vice versa, individually or jointly or alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Bauer Systemechnik AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Wydler, Lothar Pfab
  • Patent number: 5479800
    Abstract: A key lock mechanism which can be made entirely of molded plastic parts having (1) a lock shell that can be snap fit in a mounting opening, wherein the shell is a predominantly cylindrical casing having a front end, a rear end, and an interior longitudinal channel; and (2) a lock plug, having a front end and a rear end, longitudinally housed within and rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shell. The front end of the lock plug has a keyway allowing the insertion of a key to operate a double-acting, bar tumbler having a rocker body with a front peg and rear peg; an integral axle perpendicular to and connecting the center rocker body to a left and a right pivot pad upon which the bar tumbler pivots. The insertion of the key pivots the bar tumbler within the longitudinal shell channel and enables the key to turn the plug within the shell to operate the lock. The rear end of the plug receives a snap on actuation means such as a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Fort Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Myers