Patents by Inventor Julie Zier

Julie Zier 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).

  • Patent number: 11332964
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt biased to rotate in a first direction about a first pivot point, and a detent biased to rotate in a second direction about a second pivot point, the detent configured to engage with the forkbolt in at least two different positions. The latch assembly further includes a lever having a first end coupled to the detent and a second end biased toward the forkbolt. The latch assembly further includes a switch configured to detect a position of both the forkbolt and the combined lever and detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Strole, Nicholas Schafer, Julie Zier
  • Patent number: 11072949
    Abstract: A powered latch with manual release includes a forkbolt, a detent lever, and a powered actuator. The forkbolt is pivotable about a first axis to latch and unlatch a striker. The detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. A power cinching lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to cinch the forkbolt to the latched position. A power release lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. A manual release lever is supported for rotation about a third axis and operable by a single manual rotation from outside the powered latch, without operation of the powered actuator, to both: interrupt a power transmission path between the powered actuator and the power cinching lever, and drive the detent lever to release the forkbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Strole, Nicholas Schafer, Julie Zier
  • Publication number: 20180291657
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt biased to rotate in a first direction about a first pivot point, and a detent biased to rotate in a second direction about a second pivot point, the detent configured to engage with the forkbolt in at least two different positions. The latch assembly further includes a lever having a first end coupled to the detent and a second end biased toward the forkbolt. The latch assembly further includes a switch configured to detect a position of both the forkbolt and the combined lever and detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Strole, Nicholas Schafer, Julie Zier
  • Publication number: 20180087298
    Abstract: A powered latch with manual release includes a forkbolt, a detent lever, and a powered actuator. The forkbolt is pivotable about a first axis to latch and unlatch a striker. The detent lever is pivotable about a second axis and engageable with the forkbolt to secure the forkbolt in the latched position. A power cinching lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to cinch the forkbolt to the latched position. A power release lever is rotatable by the powered actuator to release the detent lever from the forkbolt. A manual release lever is supported for rotation about a third axis and operable by a single manual rotation from outside the powered latch, without operation of the powered actuator, to both: interrupt a power transmission path between the powered actuator and the power cinching lever, and drive the detent lever to release the forkbolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Strole, Nicholas Schafer, Julie Zier