Patents by Inventor Keith Julien

Keith Julien 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: 11078695
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking mechanism component, in particular a catch, for a motor vehicle lock for retaining and securing a closing member in a closed position of a door or hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first punched metal sheet and one second punched metal sheet, wherein the punched metal sheets are connected to each other in a non-detachable manner and the first punched metal sheet, compared to the second punched metal sheet, has a different punched metal sheet material and/or a greater punched metal sheet thickness, wherein the first punched metal sheet and the second punched metal sheet have at least partially or predominantly an identical outer contour and/or are disposed stacked one above the other in such a way that sections with an identical outer contour are disposed flush with each other on the outside. The invention further relates to a production method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Keith Julien, Robert J. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20180058115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking mechanism component, in particular a catch, for a motor vehicle lock for retaining and securing a closing member in a closed position of a door or hatch of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first punched metal sheet and one second punched metal sheet, wherein the punched metal sheets are connected to each other in a non-detachable manner and the first punched metal sheet, compared to the second punched metal sheet, has a different punched metal sheet material and/or a greater punched metal sheet thickness, wherein the first punched metal sheet and the second punched metal sheet have at least partially or predominantly an identical outer contour and/or are disposed stacked one above the other in such a way that sections with an identical outer contour are disposed flush with each other on the outside. The invention further relates to a production method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Keith Julien, Robert J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9534425
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle includes a locking mechanism with a rotatably mounted rotary catch for receiving a locking bolt, and a pawl with which the rotary catch can be engaged for retaining the locking bolt. The lock further includes a blocking lever that blocks the pawl when the pawl is located in a catching position, and a releasing lever for disengaging the locking mechanism. A first spring interconnects the blocking lever and the releasing lever, wherein the blocking lever and the releasing lever move either together or independently relative to the first spring based on a magnitude of acceleration of the releasing lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 9316029
    Abstract: An attachment element (1) connecting a locking bar (4) of a lock (2) of a motor vehicle to an actuation lever (5) of a motor vehicle lock (2), wherein the attachment element (1) consists of one part and is C-shaped, and wherein the limbs (11, 12) of the C-shape (10) are connected with each other in a hinge-type connection and are designed so that they can be connected positively and/or frictionally with an opening (6) of a lever (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 9212509
    Abstract: A lock mechanism (1) for a motor vehicle lock (2) comprising a rotary catch (6), a pawl (9) for positive locking the catch (6) in a preliminary-closed stop position (8) as well as in a fully-closed stop position (7), and a blocking lever (14) for blocking the pawl (9) when the pawl (9) is in its preliminary-closed position (8) as well as in its fully-closed stop position (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert S. Pettengill, Keith Julien, Robert Hunt
  • Publication number: 20150159408
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle includes a locking mechanism with a rotatably mounted rotary catch for receiving a locking bolt, and a pawl with which the rotary catch can be engaged for retaining the locking bolt. The lock further includes a blocking lever that blocks the pawl when the pawl is located in a catching position, and a releasing lever for disengaging the locking mechanism. A first spring interconnects the blocking lever and the releasing lever, wherein the blocking lever and the releasing lever move either together or independently relative to the first spring based on a magnitude of acceleration of the releasing lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Publication number: 20150003897
    Abstract: An attachment element (1) connecting a locking bar (4) of a lock (2) of a motor vehicle to an actuation lever (5) of a motor vehicle lock (2), wherein the attachment element (1) consists of one part and is C-shaped, and wherein the limbs (11, 12) of the C-shape (10) are connected with each other in a hinge-type connection and are designed so that they can be connected positively and/or frictionally with an opening (6) of a lever (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 8029031
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a latch mechanism in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door, and an actuating element. A linkage in the housing is engageable between the actuating element and the latch mechanism and shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch mechanism by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch mechanism. A blocking element connected to the linkage is operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions. A drive motor operates the blocking element. A quick-unlock element bears via the blocking element on the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Keykert USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Publication number: 20090079206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-vehicle door latch, comprising a locking mechanism (8, 9), furthermore comprising at least one locking lever (7), at least one motor drive (3, 4, 5, 6), further a linkage (10, 11, 12) between an actuating-lever assembly (13) and the locking mechanism (8, 9), and a quick-unlock element (14) that is associated with the drive (3, 4, 5, 6), characterized in that the quick-unlock element (14) operates the linkage (10, 11, 12), wherein a blocking element (15) is interconnected
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 7399010
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, latch parts in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door, and an actuating element. A linkage engageable between the actuating element and the latch parts is shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch parts by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch parts. A blocking element connected to the linkage is operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions. A drive motor operates the blocking element, and a quick-unlock element pivoted on the blocking element is operable by the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Keykert USA, USA
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Publication number: 20080073915
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, latch parts in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door, and an actuating element. A linkage engageable between the actuating element and the latch parts is shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch parts by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch parts. A blocking element connected to the linkage is operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions. A drive motor operates the blocking element, and a quick-unlock element pivoted on the blocking element is operable by the drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Hunt, Keith Julien
  • Patent number: 7137174
    Abstract: An activating mechanism is provided for use with a four-link hinge of the type typically used for closure of a vehicle movable deck, such as a trunk lid or engine compartment hood. A lower link bracket is secured to the vehicle body and an upper link bracket is secured to the movable deck. Pivoting links may be connected between the upper and lower link brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Gecom Corp
    Inventors: Lester Derbis, Darek Barczynski, Keith Julien
  • Publication number: 20040205934
    Abstract: An activating mechanism is provided for use with a four-link hinge of the type typically used for closure of a vehicle movable deck, such as a trunk lid or engine compartment hood. A lower link bracket is secured to the vehicle body and an upper link bracket is secured to the movable deck. Pivoting links may be connected between the upper and lower link brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Lester Derbis, Darek Barczynski, Keith Julien