Patents by Inventor James H. Vickers
James H. Vickers has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7726707Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a striker in a rotary pawl latch. The latch assembly includes a housing, a rotary pawl, and an actuator. The housing can have one sidewall having a notch for receiving the striker. A trigger can be pivotally attached to the housing such that the actuator releases the rotary pawl thus opening the latch.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Alan Simchayoff, Richard B. Langkamp, Jr., D. Dale Turner, James H. Vickers
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Patent number: 7654589Abstract: A latching system including a latch assembly, a cup, and a keeper plate. The latch assembly includes a base, a lever, and a catch. The lever is pivotally connected to the base and the catch is pivotally connected to the lever. The base is pivotally attached to the cup such that it rotates about an axis of rotation that is perpendicular in direction in relation to the direction of the axis of rotation of the lever relative to the base. The keeper plate includes a keeper projection. The lever can be lifted and the latch assembly rotated about the axis of rotation of the base to clear the keeper from the catch and thereby allow the opening of a first closure member relative to a second closure member.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, Ian Vance White, David Arnold White, Joshua James Baker
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Patent number: 7441427Abstract: A latch has a bushing which has at least one bushing projection or means for preventing insertion of an unauthorized tool to rotate a latch actuator of the latch. Only a key having an outer key recess which can mate with bushing projection on the bushing permits insertion of the key. The cap subassembly of the latch is provided with projections which are of a size and so positioned as to correspond with the internal recesses of the key so as to allow the cap subassembly to enter into the bore of the key and permit a mating engagement of internal recesses on the key and projections on the cap subassembly. Because cap portion rotates freely on top of the cap subassembly which is the part of the cap driven by the key, the arrangement makes it impossible, or at least very difficult, to rotate the shaft and in turn the pawl by means of a tool which rotates the cap portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Publication number: 20080105014Abstract: A latch has a bushing which has at least one bushing projection or means for preventing insertion of an unauthorized tool to rotate a latch actuator of the latch. Only a key having an outer key recess which can mate with bushing projection on the bushing permits insertion of the key. The cap subassembly of the latch is provided with projections which are of a size and so positioned as to correspond with the internal recesses of the key so as to allow the cap subassembly to enter into the bore of the key and permit a mating engagement of internal recesses on the key and projections on the cap subassembly. Because cap portion rotates freely on top of the cap subassembly which is the part of the cap driven by the key, the arrangement makes it impossible, or at least very difficult, to rotate the shaft and in turn the pawl by means of a tool which rotates the cap portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: May 8, 2008Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Patent number: 6843082Abstract: A key operated latch includes a housing which supports a lock plug, a motion control sleeve, and a sleeve-like cam therein. The cam rotates with the lock plug, while the motion control sleeve is stationary. The cam has at least one cam slot, and the motion control sleeve has at least one motion control slot. A shaft extends outward from the housing and has at least one projection which is engaged with both the cam slot and the motion control slot. The cam slot and the motion control slot are configured such that rotation of the lock plug imparts a sequence of rotational and axial movements to the shaft. A latching member attached to the shaft, moves between a latched position and an unlatched position in a sequence of axial and rotational motions in order to selectively secure a door, panel, or the like in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Publication number: 20040103701Abstract: A key operated latch includes a housing which supports a lock plug, a motion control sleeve, and a sleeve-like cam therein. The cam rotates with the lock plug, while the motion control sleeve is stationary. The cam has at least one cam slot, and the motion control sleeve has at least one motion control slot. A shaft extends outward from the housing and has at least one projection which is engaged with both the cam slot and the motion control slot. The cam slot and the motion control slot are configured such that rotation of the lock plug imparts a sequence of rotational and axial movements to the shaft. A latching member attached to the shaft, moves between a latched position and an unlatched position in a sequence of axial and rotational motions in order to selectively secure a door, panel, or the like in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Patent number: 6640592Abstract: A key operated latch includes a housing which supports a lock plug, a motion control sleeve, and a sleeve-like cam therein. The cam rotates with the lock plug, while the motion control sleeve is stationary. The cam has at least one cam slot, and the motion control sleeve has at least one motion control slot. A shaft extends outward from the housing and has at least one projection which is engaged with both the cam slot and the motion control slot. The cam slot and the motion control slot are configured such that rotation of the lock plug imparts a sequence of rotational and axial movements to the shaft. A latching member attached to the shaft, moves between a latched position and an unlatched position in a sequence of axial and rotational motions in order to selectively secure a door, panel, or the like in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Patent number: 6575503Abstract: A keeper and a latch secures a first member such as a door panel against a second member such as a corresponding frame. The keeper is adapted for attachment to the second member and engages the latch in a fastened position.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Johansson, Claes Magnusson, Glenn Anderson, Charles R. Scally, J. Michael Wittig, Stefan Matthew Koveal, James H. Vickers, Alfred George Rundle, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020166353Abstract: A key operated latch includes a housing which supports a lock plug, a motion control sleeve, and a sleeve-like cam therein. The cam rotates with the lock plug, while the motion control sleeve is stationary. The cam has at least one cam slot, and the motion control sleeve has at least one motion control slot. A shaft extends outward from the housing and has at least one projection which is engaged with both the cam slot and the motion control slot. The cam slot and the motion control slot are configured such that rotation of the lock plug imparts a sequence of rotational and axial movements to the shaft. A latching member attached to the shaft, moves between a latched position and an unlatched position in a sequence of axial and rotational motions in order to selectively secure a door, panel, or the like in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Patent number: 6152497Abstract: A multi-point latching system is adapted for mounting on a panel and securing the panel to a frame. The system includes a central latch, remote latches and connecting rods. The central latch includes a housing and a handle assembly pivotably mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis parallel to the panel for opening and closing the central latch. The handle assembly extends through the housing and includes a handle and a pivot arm. The pivot arm extends from the back of the housing. The central latch also includes an actuator pivotably mounted for rotation normal to the panel; and a link connecting the handle assembly to one of the connecting rods, which is also connected to the actuator, such that the actuator is rotated by rotating the handle assembly. The remote latches are engaged by rotation of the actuator plate through the connecting rods.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, David Milne, Richard E. Schlack
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Patent number: 6145352Abstract: A lever-action slam latch includes a pair of opposing, nested slides so that a single latch can be mounted in either left-handed or right-handed door. The locking mechanism is difficult to circumvent, and permits the key to remain in the lock while the latch is opened.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, Stefan M. Koveal
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Patent number: 6113160Abstract: A latch secures a first member such as a door panel against a second member such as a corresponding frame. The latch comprises a housing for mounting in the first member, a pawl adapted for engaging a keeper in a latched position on the second member and latch actuating means for selectively moving the pawl into a position away from the keeper in order to allow the first member to be opened.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Torsten Johansson, Claes Magnusson, Glenn Anderson, Charles Scally, J. Michael Wittig, Stefan Koveal, James H. Vickers
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Patent number: 6023953Abstract: A lever-action slam latch includes a pair of opposing, nested slides so that a single latch can be mounted in either left-handed or right-handed door. The locking mechanism is difficult to circumvent, and permits the key to remain in the lock while the latch is opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1998Date of Patent: February 15, 2000Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, Stefan M. Koveal
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Patent number: 5938248Abstract: A multi-point latching system is adapted for mounting on a panel and securing the panel to a frame. The system includes a central latch, remote latches and connecting rods. The central latch includes a housing and a handle assembly pivotably mounted in the housing for rotation about an axis parallel to the panel for opening and closing the central latch. The handle assembly extends through the housing and includes a handle and a pivot arm. The pivot arm extends from the back of the housing. The central latch also includes an actuator pivotably mounted for rotation normal to the panel; and a link connecting the handle assembly to one of the connecting rods, which is also connected to the actuator, such that the actuator is rotated by rotating the handle assembly. The remote latches are engaged by rotation of the actuator plate through the connecting rods.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, David Milne, Richard E. Schlack
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Patent number: D519826Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Joe Jackson, James H. Vickers
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Patent number: D520850Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Joe Jackson, James H. Vickers
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Patent number: D536235Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, Ian Vance White
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Patent number: D542624Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: James H. Vickers, Ian Vance White
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Patent number: D548565Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: James H. Vickers
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Patent number: D596919Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: James H. Vickers