Patents by Inventor Robert Benson Speers, Jr.

Robert Benson Speers, Jr. 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: 9004550
    Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. Mechanical hook-like rotary pawls supplement the action of the magnets. In addition, the latch is provided with a safety feature that prevents the latch from opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Carabalona, Robin Talukdar, Kevin A. McCloskey, Robert Benson Speers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7780204
    Abstract: An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Robert Benson Speers, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090001733
    Abstract: An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SOUTHCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Robert Benson Speers, JR.
  • Patent number: 7455335
    Abstract: An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Robert Benson Speers, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080231060
    Abstract: A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. Mechanical hook-like rotary pawls supplement the action of the magnets. In addition, the latch is provided with a safety feature that prevents the latch from opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: SOUTHCO, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Carabalona, Robin Talukdar, Kevin A. McCloskey, Robert Benson Speers Jr.