Gravity Actuated Patents (Class 292/230)
  • Patent number: 11795750
    Abstract: A snubber includes an engagement portion with a free end configured to be removably engaged within a groove in a frame. The engagement portion includes a first engagement member and a second engagement member at least partially separated from the first engagement member. The second engagement member deflecting less than the first engagement member when a negative pressure is applied to the sash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MILGARD MANUFACTURING LLC
    Inventor: Troy Kunkel
  • Patent number: 11555512
    Abstract: A connector for interlocking components of scaffolding or other supporting structures for building forms. The connector includes a body having an internal chamber bounded laterally by planar first and second surfaces. A lever is seated in the chamber laterally intermediate and in close fit with the planar first and second surfaces for inhibiting lateral movement of the lever. The lever is movable between a lock position and a release position. A spring is seated in the chamber laterally intermediate and in close fit with the planar first and second surfaces for inhibiting lateral movement of the spring, the spring for biasing the lever into the lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventors: David George Jackson, Barry Walter Jackson
  • Patent number: 11167777
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Kyle R. Coston, Robert J. Cencer
  • Patent number: 9487978
    Abstract: An earthquake-proof latch mechanism includes a case body, a hook member which is swingably supported on the case body, and a pendulum member which is vibratably suspended and supported on the case body. The hook member includes a hook on one side of a swinging shaft and a pendulum engagement portion on the other side of the swing shaft. A through hole is formed in the pendulum engagement portion. The pendulum member is disposed to penetrate the through hole, and a peripheral surface of the pendulum member facing the through hole is formed into a tapered shape. The peripheral surface pushes up the inner periphery of the through hole to swing the hook member when the pendulum member vibrates. Thus, the earthquake-proof latch mechanism is made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MARUYOSHI KOGYO INC.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Aono
  • Patent number: 9238928
    Abstract: The gate latching device of this invention is optionally a one piece design, although it could be constructed by interconnecting several individual components. An alley post channel blank is formed in such a manner that it has protruding slotted tabs for bolting the post bracket to the floor. This feature allows the alley post bracket to be a direct replacement of the conventional post design for updating existing applications. The formed bracket is also optionally formed from one piece of steel and is provided with appropriate mounting holes installed. The formed bracket is optionally free from protruding tabs that can cause injury to personnel and livestock. A latch security plate activates automatically when the gate is closed. As soon as the gate is closed it is secure. The latch security plate can be applied in other applications, including wall brackets, feeder brackets, back to back brackets and other similar applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Marting Manufacturing of Iowa, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8550282
    Abstract: A gravity-responsive system for securing or restraining the lid or lids of dumping containers in their on-the-ground position and releasing the lid or lids when the container is lifted to its overhead dump position includes a pivotally mounted over-center swingarm that is connected via a connecting link to a lid-restraining bail. When the dumping container is substantially in its on-the-ground position, the bail is rotated to a lid-securing or restraining position in which the lid or lids cannot be opened fully. As the dumping container is lifted toward and to is overhead dump position, the swing-arm rotates in response to gravity to move the bail toward and to a lid-release position to allow the lid or lids to swing away from their closed position to allow the dumping of the contents into the trash truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony Canova Libhart, Charles Carter Patterson
  • Patent number: 8511502
    Abstract: A litter bin includes a lid hingeably connected to a container. Opposite the hinge, a latch selectively secures the lid to the container. The latch includes a pivotably mounted latch member that has a center of gravity offset from its pivot point. The latch member also includes a catch portion that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position upon pivoting of the latch member. Because the center of gravity of the latch member is offset from the pivot point, tilting the litter bin causes pivoting of the latch member, thereby moving the catch portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Michael P. Wong
  • Patent number: 8505988
    Abstract: There is an apparatus for securing the cover for cabinet, cupboard or drawer during movement from an earthquake with a housing with a pivoting latch arm, which freely rotates around an axle, from a first upright position to a second prone or locked position; the pivoting latch arm engages a receiving piece in the second prone position. This device also serves a child safety device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Wayne Hartford
  • Patent number: 8366159
    Abstract: An inertia blocking mechanism operably connected to a door handle on a vehicle having a handle chassis. A counterweight is operably connected to the handle chassis and is pivotally rotatable about a first pivot axis between a non-actuated position and an actuated position. Stanchions extends from the handle chassis. A spring-biased primary inertia lever is operably connected with the stanchions and is pivotally rotatable about a second pivot axis. The spring-biased primary inertia lever is biased to a first position out of rotational alignment with the counterweight. An auxiliary inertia lever is pivotally rotatable about the second pivot axis and is adapted to move the primary inertia lever into a second position in rotational alignment with the counterweight, which prevents the counterweight from rotating downward into the actuated position, thereby actuating the exterior door handle thereby preventing the exterior handle from actuating and releasing the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Rajesh K Patel
  • Patent number: 8353542
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a closure latch for a vehicle door, wherein during a crash event, the closure latch has an inertia member that prevents the vehicle door from opening. The inertia member may only temporarily prevent the vehicle door from opening, or alternatively it may cause a lock lever to move to a locked position, so that the vehicle door remains locked even after the inertia member is no longer actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Cumbo
  • Patent number: 8319604
    Abstract: An electric release fastening device for a thin-profile space has a fingerprint identifier, a micro drive motor, a change gear set, an electric controller, an electric battery, a moveable fastening cassette, a fastening cassette control unit and a locking locator. When the fingerprint identifier reads the correct identification information, the micro drive motor is ordered by the electric controller to drive the change gear set, and then change the position of the fastening cassette control unit. This switches the positioning or release state between the moveable fastening cassette and the locking locator, and controls or electrically releases the product cover. With this configuration, the electric release fastening device can be assembled into thin-profile spaces with improved applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventors: Ping-Hsun Weng, Chun-Sung Cheng, Chih-Lung Peng
  • Patent number: 8313126
    Abstract: A trash container locking apparatus includes a housing which is secured to a surface of a trash container. The housing includes a pivot member rotatably mounted in an outer wall of the housing for rotation about a pivot axis and having an inner portion inside the housing and an outer portion outside the housing. A latch member is secured to the pivot member inside the housing. A swing arm secured to the pivot member outside the housing and associated with a locking bar which extends over a lid of the trash container. A latch paddle is pivotally mounted in the housing to hang vertically in a latch engaging position when the housing is mounted on the trash container. The latch member and latch paddle have interengaging formations which engage in a locking position to prevent the latch member and associated swing arm from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hodge Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Ferkovich, Anthony A. Hodge
  • Patent number: 8308205
    Abstract: A toggle latch for a gate has a first unit mounting a pivotal latch arm and adapted to be mounted on the gate and a second unit providing a receiving and latching cavity and adapted to be mounted on a gate post, the body portion of the second unit having a forward nose to provide a ramp to deflect upwardly and over the nose the latch arm when impacting thereon and an interior retaining surface defined in the body and having upper and rear surfaces of the cavity to deflect down into the cavity the latch arm after it has ridden up over the nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: D & D Group Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Filip Tejszerski
  • Patent number: 8136852
    Abstract: A door locking system includes a door that has an outer edge. The door is overlapped with a door frame in a dwelling wall when the door in a closed position. A mounting plate is attached to the outer edge and has an upper edge and a lower edge. A swing plate is pivotally coupled to the mounting plate by a pivot pin positioned adjacent to the upper edge. A stop plate is attached to the door frame and extends outwardly from the door frame. The mounting plate is abutted against the stop plate when the door is in a closed position overlapping the door frame. The stop plate is positioned below the pivot pin. The swing plate is pivoted over the stop plate in a locking position to position the stop plate between the swing plate and the mounting plate to prevent opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: John D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 7988009
    Abstract: A litter bin includes a lid hingeably connected to a container. Opposite the hinge, a latch selectively secures the lid to the container. The latch includes a pivotably mounted latch member. The latch member includes a catch portion that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position upon pivoting of the latch member. A weight is pivotably connected to the latch member at a point offset from the pivot axis of the latch member, thereby further retaining the catch portion of the latch member in the locked position. The litter bin must be tilted past a nonzero tilt threshold before the latch member pivots the catch portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Mauricio D. Cavalcante
  • Publication number: 20100253097
    Abstract: There is an apparatus for securing the cover for cabinet, cupboard or drawer during movement from an earthquake with a housing with a pivoting latch arm, which freely rotates around an axle, from a first upright position to a second prone or locked position; the pivoting latch arm engages a receiving piece in the second prone position. This device also serves a child safety device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Wayne Hartford
  • Patent number: 7806447
    Abstract: A gravity actuated locking device for a container having a hinged lid, comprises a base unit adapted to be fixed to the container and a pivoting unit pivotally mounted to the base unit. The pivoting unit includes a locking mechanism mounted therein for rotation about the base unit. In turn, the locking mechanism comprises a circular rolling member that translates from a blocking position preventing relative movement between the pivoting unit and the base unit to a release position permitting relative movement between the pivoting unit and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: David L. Reeb
  • Patent number: 7726706
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for gates and the like for readily latching a slide bar to a locking unit. The locking unit has a block with a front and back plate that are fixedly attached to each other about portions of peripheries of the front and back plates that define an opening with a side slot and at least one adjacent top or bottom slot. Positioned within at least one top or bottom slot is at least one pivoting release lever having a first leg and a second leg movable about a pivot. One of the legs has a portion configured to engage a portion of a slide bar when restraining movement of the slide bar relative to the block. The other leg abuts and aids in dislodging the slide from the block when a force is applied to the pivoting lever. The latch mechanism further includes a slide bar guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Control Dynamics Inc.
    Inventor: Eric M. Moran
  • Patent number: 7597365
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to automatic gravity actuated container lid locking mechanisms for bulk trash containers, wherein the mechanism comprises a counterweighted actuator arm pivotally attached to a first housing affixed to a first sidewall of the container, a crossbar across the lid of the container, and a dummy arm pivotally attached to a second housing affixed to a second sidewall of the container. The crossbar may pivot forward to unlock the lid when the container is tilted up for dumping. Alternatively, the crossbar may be pivoted forward when the lock is manually unlocked by sliding a counterweighted pin assembly on the first housing from a position interfering with the motion of the actuator arm to a position allowing the motion of the actuator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Laser Blanks, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph D. Kreitzer
  • Patent number: 7540393
    Abstract: A litter bin includes a lid hingeably connected to a container. Opposite the hinge, a latch selectively secures the lid to the container. The latch includes a pivotably mounted latch member that has a center of gravity offset from its pivot point. The latch member also includes a catch portion that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position upon pivoting of the latch member. Because the center of gravity of the latch member is offset from the pivot point, tilting the litter bin causes pivoting of the latch member, thereby moving the catch portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Michael P. Wong
  • Patent number: 7527572
    Abstract: A chain tensioner includes a housing having a cylinder chamber. A plunger is slidably mounted in the cylinder chamber. A spring is mounted in the cylinder chamber to bias the plunger outwardly of the cylinder chamber. The plunger has a radially extending locking pin at its lower portion near its front end. The housing is formed with a pin hole extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cylinder chamber near the front end of the housing and under the cylinder chamber. The chain tensioner further includes a support pin inserted in the pin hole, and a locking lever supported on the support pin so as to be pivotable about the support pin. The locking lever can engage the locking pin when the plunger is sufficiently pushed into the cylinder chamber, thereby keeping the plunger pushed in the cylinder chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Sato, Tomoyoshi Izutsu, Satoshi Kitano, Hisashi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7520542
    Abstract: A childproof gate latch for an enclosure such as a fence is provided with a latching member attached to a gate. The latching member is received through a lock opening in a fence support as the gate is closed. A latching sleeve is moveable into engagement with the latching member as the latching member enters the lock opening. Thereafter, as the latching sleeve is raised and the latching member released from engagement, a pawl moves to a lowered position supporting the latching sleeve in a ready to engage arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: ECP Family Properties, LLC
    Inventor: Elvin C. Price
  • Patent number: 7506902
    Abstract: An auto-lock mechanism to be mounted on an image input/output device includes a first swingable element and a second swingable element. When the image input/output device is not slantwise and an upper cover of the device is opened, one of the first and second swingable elements swings but does not hook the other of the first and second elements. When the image input/output device is slantwise, both of the first and second swingable elements simultaneously swing, approach and hook each other such that the upper cover remains closed and is free from detachment to hurt a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sheng, Chun-Min Wang
  • Patent number: 7481468
    Abstract: A blocking apparatus is cooperable with the latch lever of a vehicle door latching mechanism to prevent the latch lever from moving during a crash event, which prevents the latching mechanism from allowing the vehicle door to open. The blocking apparatus includes a housing supporting a linearly movable plunger engagable with a cam surface on the latch lever and a blocking member pivotally mounted for movement between a normal position and a blocking position. The blocking member moves into the blocking position due to the imposition of crash forces on the blocking member during a crash event. A centering spring mechanism biases the blocking member into the normal position and can return the blocking member into the normal position to permit movement of the latch lever after the crash event has occurred. The plunger is biased into engagement with the latch lever so as to move with the cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Marcus Merideth, Kelly Kohlstrand, James Loschiavo, Venky Krishnan, Mahmoud Ghannam
  • Patent number: 7261332
    Abstract: A multi-position latch mechanism is provided for a subsurface aircraft ground servicing chamber formed by a pit having an upright interior wall and a pit lid seat disposed atop the pit. A pit lid is provided which, when closed, rests upon the pit lid seat. The latch mechanism includes a catch member depending from the pit lid adjacent the upright wall of the pit. The catch member is mounted to the pit lid for rotatable movement relative thereto. A latching member is mounted on the upright interior pit wall and has a plurality of vertically spaced teeth that face the catch member. The catch member has a hook facing the latching member. The hook is alternatively engageable with each of the teeth, depending upon the extent to which debris on the pit lid seat holds the pit lid off of its pit lid seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Dabico, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Petersen, Dennis Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7234327
    Abstract: A lockable container comprising an open-faced receptacle with a locking mechanism aperture, at least one lid covering at least a portion of the open face of the receptacle, and a locking mechanism for engaging with a padlock and securing the lid in a partially opened position over the receptacle open face. The locking mechanism has a receptacle engagement portion that is moveable into a receptacle engagement position, and when in such position, a lid engagement portion attached to the receptacle engagement portion receives the partially opened lid, and a lock engagement portion attached to the lid engagement portion is moveable into the receptacle and through the locking mechanism aperture, and out of the receptacle, where it is engageable with a padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Wasteline Rentals Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald E. Howes
  • Patent number: 7029042
    Abstract: An automobile door handle mechanism has a door handle with a handle arm and a latch lever with a lever arm moved by the handle in an unlatch direction to unlatch a door. The handle arm and lever arm overlap in the unlatch direction to restrict movement of the latch lever in the unlatch direction without movement of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventor: Walter Belchine, III
  • Patent number: 6619706
    Abstract: A cabinet earthquake latch assembly designed to be attached on a cabinet inner surface and a back surface of a cabinet door. The cabinet earthquake latch assembly includes a door arm, a cam and a strike. When in use, the door arm is attached to the cabinet door, the cam is rotatably attached to the door arm and the strike is attached to the cabinet inner surface. The cam and strike are configured and attached to the door arm and cabinet inner surface such that the cam collides with the strike when the cabinet door is being initially opened at at least a predetermined speed (e.g., a speed generated in an earthquake). This collision causes the cam to rotate from a rest position and then to become lodged against the strike in a rotated position, thus preventing further opening of the cabinet door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Gryphon Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart Mackie
  • Patent number: 6347819
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a latching assembly for securing a gate having a bolt extending therefrom. The latching assembly is provided with a housing and a bolt retaining member pivotally connected to the housing. The bolt retaining member has a retaining portion. The bolt retaining member has open and closed positions with the bolt retaining member being biased in the closed position. The latching assembly is further provided with a trigger connected to the housing. The trigger has locked and unlocked positions with the trigger being biased in the locked position. The trigger has a contact portion sized and configured to contact a bolt when the trigger mechanism is in the locked position. The trigger further has a locking portion sized and configured to engage the bolt retaining member when the bolt retaining member is in the open position and the trigger is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Shawn Plaxco
  • Patent number: 6290093
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (7) for the cover (2) of a container (1), especially a garbage can or dumpster, that is emptied by tilting. The mechanism (7) includes a pivoting part (10) pivotably mounted on the cover (2) of the container (1). When the container (1) is tilted, the pivoting part (10) moves from a locked position to an unlocked position by force of gravity. The pivoting part (10) includes a lower arm (13) capable of engaging a catch member such as a lug (16) when the cover (2) is closed and when the pivoting part is in a position to lock the cover. The invention further relates to a container (1) equipped with such a locking mechanism (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Denis Obriot, Emmanuel Brazier
  • Patent number: 5997052
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a lock releasing mechanism for a container having a hinged or removable lid. A locking arm is disposed adjacent the container lid to prevent an opening of the lid, and a cable, or rigid bar, connects the locking arm to the locking mechanism. The elements of the locking mechanism comprise a slide plate to which the cable is fixed; a spring for urging the slide plate to a locked position, a guide member for guiding the slide plate, and a trigger ball which blocks movement of the slide arm in the locked position. When the container is tilted forward by a predetermined angle, the trigger ball becomes dislodged from the locking position to enable movement of the slide plate, and subsequent movement of the locking arm. When the locking arm is moved out of the path of travel for the container lid, the contents of the container may be removed. In one embodiment, a stop is provided to limit rotation of the locking bar to prevent contact with the container lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventors: David Lee Reeb, Walter Paul Robinette, II
  • Patent number: 5803537
    Abstract: A compartment type, hollow vehicle seat arm rest having a pivoted, latchable lid in which the entire arm rest and latched lid can be raised to a stored position rotated past absolute vertical. The latch is a flat, spring loaded plunger that moves back and forth within a latch housing that is molded entirely within the thickness of the lid itself. A thin, flat flip lever is freely pivoted against the back of the housing, trapped between a notched undersurface of the plunger and a flat bottom wall of the latch housing. When the arm rest is raised, the flip lever moves past vertical and falls away from the flat housing bottom wall and into the notched undersurface of the plunger, blocking it from being pushed in to unlatch the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Michael Langmeser, James Bolsworth
  • Patent number: 5772264
    Abstract: The invention is a gravity operated latch for a refuse container with a hinged lid. The invention comprises a latch hook built in such a way as to incorporate a counterweight design. The hook is attached to the underside of the container's lid by means of a hinge-plate and pin assembly. The latch hook engages a striker plate which is attached to the same side of the container. When the container is tipped the latch hook will disengage the striker, permitting the hinged lid to open for the emptying of refuse and will re-engage the striker when the container is set upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Shane Bettenhausen
  • Patent number: 5738392
    Abstract: A latch is disclosed for securing a television monitor for an aircraft video system in a horizontal position, wherein the monitor is rotatable between the horizontal position and a downward position suitable for passenger viewing. The latch includes a solenoid having a hinged element. The hinged element may be rotated to a closed position wherein the hinged element is in a vertical orientation. The hinged element may also be rotated to an open position wherein the hinged element is rotated away from the vertical orientation. Further, the hinged element includes a cutout having a reverse L-shaped configuration and a first mating surface. In addition, a notch is formed in a bezel for the monitor. The notch includes a second mating surface wherein when the hinged element is in the open position and the monitor is in the horizontal position, the second mating surface rests upon the first mating surface thereby securing the monitor in the horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Transcom, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Portman
  • Patent number: 5738395
    Abstract: A self-releasing latch arrangement is applied to a conventional rubbish container having hinged lid and being liftable and dumpable by the usual automated garbage truck. The latch arrangement comprises one or more keeper members attached to the container outwardly thereof and overhanging therefrom and at least one heavy latching member swingably suspended from the lid of the container directly above a corresponding keeper member or members for being swung thereinto or therefrom under the influence of gravity. The latching arrangement is effective to secure the container lid closed in high winds and attempted openings by animals pushing on the lid or anything pushing the container over sidewardly or backwardly. The latch automatically releases when the container is tilted toward and into the dumping position, thereby allowing emptying of the contents into the garbage truck. Manual release of the latch to gain access to the container is accomplished by manually swinging the weight away from the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Evan Probst
  • Patent number: 5697655
    Abstract: A ball operated, automatic vibration safety latching device including a cantilevered arm which is gravity biased to a radial position to leave a catch normally disengaged, a ball positioned atop a ball support, and a retaining cup attached to the arm and arranged beneath the ball support. Any undue vibration such as that caused by an earthquake or nearby explosion will dislodge the ball causing the ball to drop into the retaining cup which will cause the cantilevered arm to rotate around its pivot so as to then engage the catch or otherwise block the door. A single latching device may be used with two catches to serve two doors or other items that need to be restrained. The door is normally completely unimpeded and only requires unlatching in the event that undue vibration has occurred since the door was last closed. Unlatching the arm allows the door to be opened and automatically resets the device to the normal unlatched mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventor: Bernard Strong
  • Patent number: 5683126
    Abstract: The dumpster dual locking assembly includes a housing having two side walls each having an opening. Extending through the openings is a rotatable sleeve which has at one end a flange with a hole for receiving the barrel of a padlock. A rotation bar, which also has at one end a flange with a hole for receiving the barrel of a padlock, extends through and is rotatable relative to the sleeve. A locking bar for securing the hinged lid of a dumpster is coupled to the rotation bar. Both the sleeve and the rotation bar can be manually locked together by placing a lock through their flanges. When the dumpster is upright, a gravitational lock prevents the sleeve from rotating in the housing. The gravitational lock includes a support fixed to the sleeve, a pendulum supported at one end by and rotatable relative to the support, and a latch. The latch locks into a catch mounted on the interior surface of the housing when the dumpster is upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: De Vivo Industries
    Inventors: Mario De Vivo, Mariano Tucciarone
  • Patent number: 5662363
    Abstract: Windows are provided including a latch member which is pivotably mounted to one of the support structures of the window. The latch member includes a body portion including first and second transverse ends. At one end is located a projecting portion which extends laterally from the body portion. This projecting portion includes a first contact surface which slides against a descending panel of the window when the panel is lowered into a closed position. This sliding action rotates the latch member away from the path of the lowering panel. Upon closing the panel, the latch member is then rotated substantially by gravitational force to a latching position along the panel to secure it in a closed position. This invention is particularly adapted to bug and security screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: CertainTeed Corporation
    Inventor: Chandrahas O. Gandhi
  • Patent number: 5662364
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a latch releasing mechanism for a container having a hinged or removable lid. A latching arm is disposed adjacent the container lid to prevent an opening of the lid, and a cable connects the latching arm to the locking mechanism. The elements of the latching mechanism comprise a slide plate to which the cable is fixed; a spring for urging the slide plate to a latched position, a guide member for guiding the slide plate, and a trigger ball which blocks movement of the slide am in the latched position. When the container is tilted forward by a predetermined angle, the trigger ball becomes dislodged from the latching position to enable movement of the slide plate, and subsequent movement of the latching arm. When the latching arm is moved out of the path of travel for the container lid, the contents of the container may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventors: David L. Reeb, Walter Paul Robinette, II
  • Patent number: 5611579
    Abstract: A cabinet mounted latch is activated by the movements of an earthquake from a ready position. The latch then engages a door mounted hook to prevent door opening, preventing loss of contents and personal injury. The device may be manually activated or inactivated to provide on demand childproofing or unobstructed door use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Arthur Kreitenberg
  • Patent number: 5599050
    Abstract: A gravity activated lid-locking device for trash containers comprises a mechanism enclosed in a security box attached to the front of the trash container. Extending from the security box is a rotatable through shaft having a bar thereattached, the bar extending over one or more lids on the trash container. The mechanism includes a gravity lock comprising a short steel bar free to rotate on an internal shaft and a turn stop also comprising a steel bar welded to a shaft that passes through the box. The gravity stop hangs vertically within the box and prevents the turn stop and its shaft from rotating when the trash container is right side up. When the trash container is rotated to empty, the gravity lock rotates, freeing the turn stop to rotate and thereby allowing the through shaft and bar to tilt backwards and release the lid. Extending through the box is a second shaft having a small steel tab thereattached within the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Harry Tinsley
  • Patent number: 5573050
    Abstract: A roll-up closure for closing/opening a vertical opening such as a window or door, includes vertically spaced, horizontal slats, the ends of the slats being slidable in vertical guide channels. The lowermost slat carries a catch which is biased outwardly to a position preventing the closure from being raised. The catch can be released to permit raising of the closure, by means of a cable, a manually actuable member, or a mechanically actuable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Inventor: Johann Henkenjohann
  • Patent number: 5570914
    Abstract: The Earthquake Actuated Door Latch mounts outside a cabinet or beside the cabinet door. The device contains a pivoted catch assembly with a weight on one end and a door catch, or hook, on the other. The catch assembly is stable in two positions, one on each side of the cabinet door. An earth tremor causes the weight to shift out of the cocked position to the operated position (the second stable position) putting the hook where it interferes with opening of the cabinet door. Weight and hook move as a unit, minimizing delay, and an internal lock prevents rebound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Harry H. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5529352
    Abstract: A latch responsive to inertial movement of a structure for locking a closure during an earthquake. The inventive device includes a base plate mountable to the interior structure of a cabinet or the like. A latch is pivotally mounted at a lower end thereof to the base plate and projects upward to rest against a guide pin. A hook is mounted to the interior of the cabinet door such that movement of the cabinet during an earthquake will cause the latch to fall into engagement with the hook to lock the cabinet door shut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Humphrey M. Chin
  • Patent number: 5474341
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a container having a hinged lid comprising a shaft adapted to be secured to a container and journaled for rotation about its axis. A locking bar is removably secured to the shaft and rotatable about the axis with the shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. A lock lever is secured to the shaft between the locked position and the unlocked position and a roller is mounted on a track over the lock lever for motion into and out of an engagement with a lock lever. The shaft is held from rotation when the roller and the locking bar is in the locking position. The locking bar is free to move into and out of its locked and unlocked position and the roller is moved from its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Fikes, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. Putman, Jerry A. Hampel
  • Patent number: 5419598
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a lid of a trash bin includes a frame couplable to a wall of the trash bin. The frame defines a housing which at least partially encloses moving parts of the locking mechanism. This housing inhibits tampering with the locking mechanism and protects the locking mechanism against exposure to the trash placed in the bin. In addition, the apparatus includes a coupler for holding the housing against the wall of the trash bin so as to prevent unauthorized access from outside the trash bin while permitting an individual locked inside the trash bin to decouple a portion of the frame from the bin to permit the individual to exit the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph D. Kreitzer
  • Patent number: 5415314
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a refuse container that includes a pivotally mounted bracket system that constitutes a first pendulum, for securing the lid of the refuse container and a catch which can be moved from a potentially engageable position to an unengageable position to control movement of the bracket system. The catch constitutes a second pendulum. During an automated emptying of the refuse container, the pendulums are timed so that the catch opens first, thereby allowing the bracket system to pivot and the lid to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Chris A. McCollum
  • Patent number: 5312143
    Abstract: A tremor actuated cabinet door latch has a spring loaded arm held back by a weighted trip pin. The pin releases the arm in response to shaking of the cabinet, allowing the arm to engage a catch mounted on the cabinet door, to keep the door from swinging open during an earth tremor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Almar W. Buckner
  • Patent number: 5224744
    Abstract: A device for locking a cover on a container body, particularly a wheeled barrel, having a locking piece mounted to pivot between a position assuring the locking of the cover in the closed position on the body and an unlocking position releasing the cover, and an operating member cooperating with the locking piece to bring the locking piece to an unlocking position for a predetermined inclined position of the container. The operating member is a movable weight (13) mounted for guided sliding movement, and the locking piece (11) and the operating member (13) comprise cooperating projecting means (24, 23) arranged so that a translatory movement in one direction (20) of the operating member produces a rotation of the locking piece (11) in the unlocking direction (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventor: Patrice Michelutti
  • Patent number: 5090753
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic locking mechanism for a dumpster container having a hinged lid. The elements of the locking mechanism comprise an L or U-shaped securing member which is attached to one or both sidewalls of the container. The securing member pivots over the lid, and is held in place by a securing mechanism. The securing mechanism fixes the L or U-shaped securing member in a position that inhibits opening of the container lid. The securing mechanism is automatically operated by a spring or gravity operated foot piece and linkage system which pivots the securing member over the lid of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Lowell R. Goodman