Knobs Patents (Class 292/347)
  • Publication number: 20080088140
    Abstract: A combination of door lever has a lever, a connecting tube and a combinative jointer. The lever has a front, a proximal end and a cylinder transversely formed on and protruding from the front at the proximal end. The cylinder has a distal end and a receiving recess formed in the distal end and having a circumferential wall. The connecting tube is mounted securely in the receiving recess to receive a lock core assembly connected with a latch and has an outer wall. The combinative jointer is mounted between the circumferential wall of the receiving recess and the outer wall of the connecting tube to securely mount the connecting tube in the receiving recess to protect the connecting tube from falling off from the cylinder when the lever is turned to lock or unlock a door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Lien-Shi Huang, Kuang-Chun Chiang
  • Patent number: 7347462
    Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a door handle having an operator portion, and a shank extending from the operator portion. A mounting plate has a first bearing, the first bearing being sized to receive the shank of the door handle. An auxiliary bearing assembly includes an auxiliary bearing support and a second bearing. The auxiliary bearing support is connected to the mounting plate, wherein the second bearing is spaced apart a distance from the first bearing along an axis passing through the first bearing and the second bearing, the second bearing being sized to receive the shank of the door handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Ellis, David Allan Ebert
  • Publication number: 20080067820
    Abstract: A combination structure of base plate and escutcheon comprises a base plate, a fastener and an escutcheon. The base plate has a plate and a ring-like wall surrounding the plate, and the fastener has a fastening portion, a fixing portion and a flexible portion connecting the fastening portion and the fixing portion. The fixing portion is installed on the ring-like wall and the base plate is covered with the escutcheon. The escutcheon has a sidewall, an opening and a limited-portion. The opening is formed on the sidewall and exposes the fastening portion of the fastener. The limited-portion of the escutcheon is restrained by the fastening portion of the fastener to prevent the escutcheon disengaging from the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Lien-Hsi Huang, Kuang-Chun Chiang
  • Patent number: 7331618
    Abstract: An outside door handle includes a handle and a switching component which is coupled to the handle in such a manner that, when there is an opening force which acts in a correct manner on the handle in order to open it, the switching component automatically responds and generates a switching signal. Operating convenience may be achieved by a response threshold of the switching component selected to be at such a low level that the switching component responds even before the opening force overcomes a restoring force counteracting it and prestressing the handle into an unactuated starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Jooss, Rudi Koelle, Martin Lindmayer
  • Publication number: 20080012361
    Abstract: A handle knob assembly comprises a knob shell and a lock retainer disposed within the knob shell. The lock retainer includes a hollow drum portion, a hollow neck part extending rearwardly from the drum portion and projecting out of a rear opening of the knob shell, a lock-receiving hole formed in the drum portion and aligned with a key hole of the knob shell, a plurality of annularly spaced apart and axially extending ribs that project radially from an outer periphery of the drum portion, and a ring extending around the ribs and having a distal peripheral end extending toward an inner surface of the knob shell. The construction as such saves the cost of materials and provides sufficient strength to resist radial compressive forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Chia-Min SUN, Ju-Lin YANG, Song-Gen SHYU
  • Patent number: 7290808
    Abstract: A door handle assembly attachable to a door. The door handle assembly includes a handle coupled to the door and a latch bolt coupled to the handle and movable along a latch bolt axis between an extended position and a retracted position. An attachment member defines an attachment axis. The attachment member is movable relative to the handle between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Furlong
  • Patent number: 7273242
    Abstract: A knob assembly (22) for a door (20) includes a spindle (30) and a latch (108) in communication with the spindle (30) and extendable from an edge (132) of the door (20). An inner knob portion (36) is secured to the spindle (30), and an outer knob portion (38) faces the inner knob portion and freely rotates on the spindle (30). A lug (102, 104) projects from a second surface (106) of the outer knob portion (38) for engagement with a notch (58) formed in a first surface 54 of the inner knob portion (36). The outer knob portion (38) is selectively operable to positively engage the lug (102, 104) with the notch (58) for enabling rotation of the spindle (30) in response to rotation of the outer knob portion (38) to move the latch (108) from a normally latched position (110) to an unlatched position (146).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventors: Devany Dawn Godin Flott, Michael Raymond Godin
  • Publication number: 20070182169
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a latch retractor housing having inner and outer cover plates, inner and outer drive spindles extending respectively through the inner and outer cover plates, a sleeve surrounding the outer drive spindle and having a flange contacting the outer cover plate, an outer shell surrounding the inner drive spindle and the latch retractor housing, and at least one rigid coupling member or tube disposed within the outer shell and engaging and coupling together the inner and outer cover plates and the flange, thereby reinforcing the outer drive spindle and the latch retractor housing and increasing torsional and compression strengths thereof. A reinforcing ring is further provided to couple the outer drive spindle to the outer handle for reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Jeff Fang, Cheng-Chung Liu, Lan-Kun Don
  • Patent number: 7213849
    Abstract: A hardware fitting for an all-glass door, including a first fitting half arrangeable on an outer side of the door, a second fitting half arrangeable on an inner side of the door, an actuatable nut arranged between the first and second fitting halves, a lock having a locking bolt and arranged between the first and second fitting halves, and a door stop integrated into at least one of the first and second fitting halves. The locking bolt is slidable between a retracted and an extended position in response to a movement of the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co., KG
    Inventors: Andreas Weinberg, Martin Ruf
  • Patent number: 7204530
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door inside handle assembly for vehicles, in which a door inside handle is mounted in a housing installed in a door trim in such a fashion as to be pivotally moved inwardly into the inner space of the housing by means of the pushing force of a driver or passenger, and a separate linkage mechanism for converting the pivotal force of the handle which is exerted toward the interior of the housing into the pulling force of the rod member is additionally installed between the handle and a rod member which is connected to a door locking latch and is positioned opposite to a door trim so as to allow a driver or passenger to simultaneously unlock and open the door while outwardly pushing the door inside handle, thereby improving convenience of manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jae Kyung Lee
  • Patent number: 7201406
    Abstract: A device for operating a lock assembly for a door or window assembly has a first configuration when mounted in a right hand door and a second sonfiguration when mounted in a left hand door. The device has a handle having a first position and a second position. A member is operably connected to the handle. The member has structure adapted to cooperate with the lock assembly such that the first position of the handle when the member is adapted to be connected to the lock assembly in the first configuration is the same as the first position of the handle when the member is adapted to be connected to the lock assembly in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Christopher G. Walls, Richard L. Green
  • Patent number: 7199317
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle apparatus includes a door handle having an inner space therein, a first wall portion having an operation surface at an outer side thereof, and a first inner surface at an inner side thereof, the first inner surface being a part of a surface defining the inner space of the door handle; a sensor electrode positioned inside the inner space so as to face the first inner surface of the first wall portion and capable of generating electrostatic capacitance between the sensor electrode and a dielectric approaching the operation surface; and a controlling member housed within the inner space and capable of adjusting the sensor electrode to come in contact with the inner surface of the first wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Takamasa Fujitsuna, Kazuyoshi Mori
  • Patent number: 7195295
    Abstract: A latch driving unit is assembled in an exterior knob assembly of a door lock. The latch driving unit includes a pin, a resilient member, a locking disk, a rotatable disk, a torsion spring, a cap and a strip. The strip removably extends through the cap, torsion spring, rotatable disk, locking disk, resilient member and the pin. If the strip is bent with an incorrect length, it can be removed from the latch driving unit and replaced with an intact strip. Thus, the exterior knob assembly is still useful after replacing the strip, and waste is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Mei-Kuei Lee
  • Patent number: 7185929
    Abstract: A door knob with a light-emitting location indicator comprises a knob designed for placement on a door, for being grasped by the hand of a user for opening the door. The knob comprises translucent material. One or more objects comprising light-emitting material that either phosphoresces or luminesces are mounted within the knob and are visible through a protective layer of translucent material. The light-emitting material is designed to emit light in a darkened space to thereby visually indicate the location of the knob in the darkened space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Mtinima M. Moyo
  • Patent number: 7178842
    Abstract: A handle set includes a handle assembly having an operator, a rose insert, and a shank having a bore. The rose insert has a central opening and a post. The shank is affixed to the operator and rotatably received in the central opening. A rotational stop is coupled to the rose insert. A spindle guide is slidably received in the bore and is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A kick-off plate having a retention slot is coupled to the spindle guide. A centralizing cup having a single multi-function tang and a lock retention feature is mounted to the shank. The multi-function tang is configured for rotation along a rotational path, the rotation being limited by the rotational stop. The lock retention feature is positioned to engage the retention slot when the spindle guide is in the locked position to thereby retain it in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey, LLC
    Inventor: Graham John Wheatland
  • Patent number: 7163240
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device includes a base case secured to a door, and an L-shaped handle lever rotatably mounted on the base case by a supporting shaft and connected to a latch device of the door by way of a connecting member. The handle lever includes an operation arm extending in a first direction and receiving a manual operational force and a coupling arm extending in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction to be connected to the connecting member. The operation arm is made of a synthetic resin and has a small specific gravity, and the coupling arm is made of a metal and has a great specific gravity. The base portions of the operation arm and the coupling arm are undetachably coupled with each other by the supporting shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Odahara
  • Patent number: 7152893
    Abstract: A handle assembly (10) is shown. The assembly includes a rotatable, spring handle (12, 120) with a plunger (14, 114) having a first engagement feature or surface (16, 116) for receipt of a spring force; a trigger device (20, 150) in operative connection with the handle; and a blocking member (24, 160) movable with the handle and rotatably mounted on the handle, the blocking member including a latch at a distal end thereof (26, 166). The blocking member is in operative connection with the trigger device and a portion of the latch is retained by a remote retention surface (22) when the assembly is in a locked configuration. Upon sufficient mechanical movement of the trigger device and the blocking member, the latch is no longer restricted by the retention surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Key Plastics, LLC
    Inventor: Richard I. Pudney
  • Patent number: 7151240
    Abstract: A bi-directional tamper resistant temperature adjustment controller interface comprises a control dial having an interior face wherein a cylindrical center boss extends therefrom, said cylindrical center boss having a substantially annular cross section, and a central axial bore adapted to receive a rotatable control member and an exterior side wall of the boss has formed therein a first and a second ring of inline recessed notches adapted for resistively engaging a deflecting member. In one embodiment of the invention the first and second ring of inline recessed notches are a first and second ring of directional serrations wherein the first ring of serrations are angularly directed in a first direction to resist rotation of the dial in one direction of rotation and the second ring of serrations are angularly directed in a second direction to resist rotation of the dial in an opposing direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Raymond-Paul Joubran, Can Trong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7145107
    Abstract: An adjustment interface for adjusting a controller teaches a novel apparatus and method for controlling the temperature of a heating device comprising a controller cover panel having a rotatable controller dial; a ring member mounted to axially extend beyond and away from the exterior surface, wherein the ring member has projections radially extending from an exterior perimeter of the ring member; and said rotatable controller is operatively connectable to a rotatable controller adjustment and said control dial operable to effect rotation of the rotatable adjustment member when said control dial is grasped and turned and said control dial having a deflection pin extending therefrom having sufficient length and orientation to crossingly engage the projections extending from the exterior perimeter of the ring member such that the deflection pin resistively engages the projections and flexes to travel radially over and disengaging the projections when the control member is turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Can Trong Nguyen, Raymond-Paul Joubran
  • Patent number: 7137657
    Abstract: A reinforced apparatus for a lever handle of a door lock comprises a housing having a first bottom plate and a second bottom plate, in which the first bottom plate connects a first annular wall and a second annular wall, and the second bottom plate connects the second annular wall and a third annular wall; a recess formed between the first annular wall and the second annular wall; and a rotary member, in which a coiled spring is disposed between a first and a second side plates of the rotary member: wherein the second bottom plate of the housing is formed with an axially extending predetermined bending member to be bent inwardly for a predetermined angle, after the rotary member and the coiled spring are disposed within the recess of the housing, so that the rotary member is maintained within the recess of the housing and can be operated externally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong-Faa Wu, Ching-Chuan Kuo, Po-Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 7111879
    Abstract: A latch assembly kit including a latching subassembly for mounting upon a movable closure element, an actuating assembly, a first elongate graspable handle, and a second elongate graspable handle. The latching subassembly has a latched state, wherein the latching subassembly releasably engages a strike element to maintain the movable closure element in a desired position relative to a support to which the movable closure element is attached, and a release state. The actuating assembly has a normal state and a release state. The actuating assembly causes the latching subassembly to change from its latched state into its release state as an incident of the actuating assembly changing from its normal state into its release state. The first elongate graspable handle has a first length and is releasably operatively connectable to at least one of the latching subassembly and actuating assembly to facilitate repositioning of the movable closure element upon which the latching subassembly is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tri/Mark Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Zweibohmer, Christopher M. Lane
  • Patent number: 7080427
    Abstract: A self-cleaning handle for a self-closing door. The door is movable by a user between a normally closed position and an open position, and is automatically moved from the open position back to the closed position. The handle having a housing secured to said door and a handle rotatably mounted in the housing. An unexposed portion of the handle is disposed within the housing and an exposed portion of the handle is exposed for grasping by a user to open the door. A cleaning wipe is disposed within the housing and is slidably engaged with the unexposed portion of said handle. The self-cleaning handle also includes a means for preventing rotation of the handle when the door is moved from the closed position to the open position, and for automatically causing rotation of the handle relative to the cleaning wipe when the door is automatically moved from the open position back to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventors: Deborah Campopiano, Richard Campopiano
  • Patent number: 7077437
    Abstract: An integrated mortise lock trim mechanism is provided for mounting on the surface of a door and has a handle turning a spindle that extends into the door to operate a lock mechanism mounted therein. The trim assembly is pre-assembled and has a retracting spindle that extends between the trim mechanism and the lock mechanism to accommodate varying door thicknesses. The preferred assembly utilizes a cover plate, spring and mounting plate assembly holding a pair of alignment through bolts. This assembly is fit onto a door handle and secured to the door handle by a cap nut. An elongated spring is disposed in the handle and is secured to a spindle which axially extends from the handle. The spindle is automatically retracted or extended to optimally fit into the hub of a mortise lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard Hai Huang
  • Patent number: 7070216
    Abstract: A door handle assembly which is compact in size for space-efficient packaging in a door of an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes a safety system for preventing inadvertent movement of the handle to an unlatched position during a side impact collision. A counterweight is mounted in the handle assembly which, during relative motions of parts induced by acceleration from a side impact, resists unlatching the handle. The counterweight is rotatably mounted on an axis different from an axis of the handle latch control mechanism, and is not fixedly attached to the handle mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Siegel-Robert, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick A. von zur Muehlen
  • Patent number: 7066507
    Abstract: A post-removable construction of a door lock device which is disposed on a plate assembly. The plate assembly can be applied to install a transmission mechanism comprised of an inner spindle, an outer spindle, an inner lever, and outer lever and a latch-retracting mechanism onto a door panel, and drives a latch. The plate assembly is comprised of an inner housing assembly inboard of the door panel and an outer housing assembly outboard of the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lan-Kun Don
  • Patent number: 7059641
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle includes a handle housing operatively supported by a door of the vehicle and a door handle pivotally supported by the handle housing to be flush with an exterior surface of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Mark G. Chanya
  • Patent number: 7057124
    Abstract: A push switch apparatus includes a switch case adapted to be a base member, a switch mounted on the switch case, a switch cap made of an elastic material and supported on the switch case for covering the switch, a switch button supported by the base member and having an actuating portion for pushing the switch and an switch plate mounted on the switch case and arranged between the switch cap and the switch button. The switch plate having a contact surface contacts the switch button when the actuating portion of the switch button pushes the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Eiji Mushiake, Takeshi Ito, Kazuyoshi Mori, Yuichi Murakami, Noriyasu Onishi, Teruya Tomiyasu
  • Patent number: 7036857
    Abstract: A vehicle inside door handle assembly has an inside door handle pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket. A biasing element is operatively disposed between the handle and the mounting bracket to urge the handle from a latch releasing position to a latching position. The handle has an operating portion and a counterweight portion. The counterweight portion is configured to counteract pivoting of the handle when a lateral force is applied to the handle in a plane substantially perpendicular to a pivot axis of the handle and substantially opposite to an urging force on the operating portion of the handle by the biasing element. The mounting bracket has an upper flange with an abutment surface disposed outwardly relative to the counterweight portion to prevent a door trim panel from being deflected against the counterweight portion of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Takehito Ichino
  • 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: 7011349
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device includes a frame equipped on a vehicle door panel and a handgrip mounted on the frame and rotatable about a rotation center portion at one end portion of the handgrip. A second end portion of the handgrip forms an operation portion linked with a door lock mechanism. The handgrip is adapted to be rotated within a predetermined angle around the rotation center portion to operate the door lock mechanism when the operation portion is pulled away from the frame. A restriction mechanism is also provided to restrict chattering and/or dislocation of the handgrip from the frame. The restriction mechanism includes a projection and a groove provided between the frame and the handgrip. The projection is slidable in the groove during rotation of the handgrip and is able to contact a boundary of the groove in the inserting direction of the handgrip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morihito Nomura, Kouji Ooe, Kouichi Nagata, Atsushi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 6988752
    Abstract: A pinless inside door handle assembly has a housing, a latch handle and a lock lever that snap together and require no separate pivot pin. Interrelating projections and enclosed apertures are in pivotal engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Belchine, III, Sven E. Carlson, Joel R. Lee
  • Patent number: 6981726
    Abstract: An auxiliary lock assembly comprises a housing having a hole, wherein a protrusion radially and inwardly provided on the periphery of the hole; a shaft with various cross-sectional area inserted into the hole of the housing; a longitudinal groove formed on the exterior of the shaft; a circumferential groove formed on the exterior of the shaft and communicating with the longitudinal groove to provide engagement with the protrusion on the housing; an axial hole formed in the axial direction of the shaft; a cover having a hole aligned with the hole of the housing for allowing the shaft to pass through; a knob having an axle portion; an axial hole formed in an axial direction in the knob for allowing the shaft to be inserted therein; a threaded hole formed in a transverse direction in the axle portion of the knob; and a fastening screw being able to thread into the threaded hole and secure the shaft and the knob together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chung Huang
  • Patent number: 6929294
    Abstract: A vehicle particularly a passenger car, has an unlocking handle arranged in the vehicle interior for the opening operation of a lock of a closing element, such as a door, a flap, a hood, a lid, or the like, this unlocking handle having a luminous construction. In order to improve the finding of the unlocking handle in the dark, the unlocking handle has a basic body coupled with the lock and a luminous body mounted thereon made of a luminous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jan Byrla, Marco Polic, Eberhard Loeffler, Juergen Moczygemba
  • Patent number: 6929290
    Abstract: An adjustable button mechanism for a lock includes: a driving tube of a hollow tubular shape, having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to a driving mechanism of the lock, the second end forming a positioning slot; a connecting member having a first end forming an axial hole and a second end; a protruding member formed at the first end of the connecting member and radially extending into the positioning slot of the driving tube; a button lever placed within the driving tube, and having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to the driving mechanism, the second end being inserted into the axial hole of the connecting member; and a button placed on the second end of the connecting member, and either the connecting member or the button having an elastically supported lateral member, with the other containing a plurality of holes for selectively receiving the lateral member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Tung Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lan-Kum Don
  • Patent number: 6916053
    Abstract: A structure for a latch lock that opens or closes a door without deadlocking it essentially comprised of a front body and a rear body each provided with a round plate locked into to each other with the latch bolt inside a recess of a door panel being placed in a space defined by both locked bodies; a rotation rod with a flange being each adapted to the front and the rear bodies having one end of the rotation rod inserted into a bolting hole in the latch bolt and the other end inserted with a reducing spring and a positioning ring for the rotation rod to be respectively inserted into the front and the rear bodies to allow spacing adjustment as desired to compromise door panel thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 6874829
    Abstract: An inner actuator for automobile doors includes a lever-like handle adapted to be pivoted about an axis within a housing which is attached to the door, a linkage or an actuating cable which is led to a door lock and engages the handle, a spring which biases the handle into a rest position, a damper which is connected to a portion of the handle such that the movement of the handle into the rest position is damped, whereby a linear damper is provided which is linked to the door with one end and to a portion of the handle with the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günther Müller
  • Patent number: 6871887
    Abstract: An outside door handle includes a handle and a switching component which is coupled to the handle in such a manner that, when there is an opening force which acts in a correct manner on the handle in order to open it, the switching component automatically responds and generates a switching signal. Operating convenience may be achieved by a response threshold of the switching component selected to be at such a low level that the switching component responds even before the opening force overcomes a restoring force counteracting it and prestressing the handle into an unactuated starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Jooss, Rudi Koelle, Martin Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 6832793
    Abstract: A safety system for opening a deck lid of a trunk compartment of vehicle includes a user operable device and a housing having an outer wall and a perimeter surface. The housing defines a recess therein, which is positioned below or behind a plane defined by the perimeter surface of the housing. The user operable device is positioned in the recess and below the plane defined by the perimeter surface such that the user operable device is actuable within the recess. The user operable to actuate the release mechanism to open the deck lid of the trunk compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Bingle, Roger L. Koops
  • Publication number: 20040212200
    Abstract: An inside door handle device of an automobile comprises: a handle case; a cover body for covering a fixing portion of the handle case to a vehicle body; a hollow formed on the rising wall of the hand-operating recess portion; an engaging step portion formed in a bottom wall of the hollow; and an engaging leg for release operation, formed in the cover body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kousuke Kakita
  • Patent number: 6749236
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device includes a frame secured to the inside of the outer panel of a vehicle door and having a supporting portion and insertion holes, a link rotatably mounted on the frame and urged by an elastic member in one direction, and an outer handle mounted from outside the outer panel. The outer handle is adapted to operate the link to rotate the link against the rotational urging force of the elastic member. The link possesses a first engaging portion and axle portions having two faced portions. The frame is provided with slots for inserting the two faced portions and supporting holes for rotatably supporting the axle portions. The frame also includes a second engaging portion which engages the first engaging portion for holding the link in a preliminary holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seikikkabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morihito Nomura, Kouichi Nagata, Katsuaki Maruyama, Hajime Emura
  • Patent number: 6742820
    Abstract: A lock includes an inner assembly, an outer assembly, and a latch mechanism. The inner assembly includes an inside lever handle, an inside spindle, and an inside rose. The outer assembly includes an outside lever handle, an outside spindle, and an outside rose liner from which two engaging posts extend. The latch mechanism includes a housing and a latch bolt. A reinforcing plate includes two pegs respectively extending through two positioning holes of the housing. The reinforcing plate further includes a central hole through which the outside spindle extends. The reinforcing plate further includes a pair of slots through which the engaging posts extend. Two fasteners are extended through the inside rose liner and engaged with the engaging posts. Each of the inside lever handle and the outside lever handle are located in a position that inclines upward and at 45 degrees with a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 6719336
    Abstract: A door handle assembling construction includes a grip portion with a base portion at one end and a case portion at the other end. The grip portion has an arm portion, and the case portion has a hole and a wall portion for receiving the arm portion. The wall portion includes a stopper portion, and the arm portion includes a corner portion. The grip portion is subjected to an urging force in the direction toward the case portion. Before an outside handle is installed to a door outer panel, the grip portion is pulled out of the case portion, and the case portion tilts relative to its position after the outside handle is installed to the door outer panel. The corner portion of the arm portion engages the stopper portion to temporarily hold grip portion. When the tilt angle is returned, the engagement is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 6701801
    Abstract: A device that is ergonomically designed for steering a variety of industrial vehicles is disclosed. The driver may steer the vehicle while keeping his hand flat on the device, which is custom fitted to a particular industrial vehicle. The hand that steers the vehicle is kept flat on the device, allowing the driver of the vehicle to steer it without grasping the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Industrial Products, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Wilson, John L. Hood, Tim Strecker
  • Patent number: 6695365
    Abstract: A spring detent mechanism for a reversible lever includes a cantilevered lever catch rigidly attached to the sleeve and a C-shaped clip disposed in a groove in the sleeve. The lever catch includes a button for engaging the lever and the C-shaped clip is disposed adjacent the button to prevent longitudinal movement of the lever unless the button is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Gerald B. Chong, Michael Winardi
  • Patent number: 6691538
    Abstract: An enhanced door lock is capable of being locked from an inner side of a doorplate. At the outer lock portion, a ring seat and a C ring clamp two sides of the outer plate of the doorplate so as to enhance the structure of the doorplate to prevent the door lock from being pulled out. The inner cover is installed with a positioning hole. One side of a top of the control knob is drilled with a stud receiving groove. A positioning pin is placed in a stud receiving groove. The outer sleeve and the stud of the positioning pin are coupled with the stud receiving groove; then the bead resisting against the spring exactly pushes the positioning groove of the stud to resist against a positioning groove. By this structure, the lock is locked from the inner side of the doorplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventors: Chen Feng Yang, Sheng Chu Yang, Mu Kuei Yang
  • Patent number: 6681605
    Abstract: A tubular doorknob includes an inside bracket, an outside bracket and adjustment devices. The outside bracket has two connecting wings, two outside passages, two outside screw holes and an outside adjustment device. The connecting wings protrude from diametrically opposite sides of the outside bracket. The outside passages are defined through the connecting wings. The outside screw holes are defined through the outside bracket and communicate with the outside passages. The outside adjustment device has two sliding blocks and two adjustment screws. The sliding blocks are slidably mounted in the outside passages. The adjustment screws are screwed into the outside screw holes to push the sliding blocks to abut a surface in a doorknob hole in the door. The inside bracket has a configuration similar the outside adjustment device. The extended adjustment devices firmly hold the tubular doorknob in the doorknob hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 6669249
    Abstract: A handle support mechanism is designed for attachment to a door lock, preferably the exterior of a mortise lock, that has two handles driven back to an initial position with a common return spring after either handle is used. The support mechanism prevents the unused handle from drooping or rotating when the common return spring is compressed as the opposite handle is turned. The support mechanism includes first and second friction discs trapped between the exterior of the mortise lock and the legs of a U-shaped spring bracket. The spring bracket applies an inward spring pressure to prevent a friction disc and its corresponding handle from turning when the other handle is in use. The handle support mechanism improves visual appearance and is particularly suitable for retrofit installations, lever handle designs and mortise locks with independent switch sensors on the two handles that notify a monitoring system as to which handle was turned to open a monitored door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard Hai Huang, Paul Nunez
  • Patent number: 6666496
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fixing an insert (10) in an opening of a carrier. The opening is defined by a and second carrier edge (21, 22). First and second edge areas (11, 12) appurtenant thereto and pertaining to the insert (10) are pressed against the opening in the case of fixing. According to the invention, the two edge areas of the insert (10) can be fixed essentially free from backlash and by means of a clamping device that consists of two clamping strips (60) which, preferably in a connected configuration, embrace the shell-shaped housing (13) in a waist-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Rettig
  • Patent number: 6662606
    Abstract: A lock cylinder retainer comprises an annular portion and a rectangular portion extending from the annular portion. The annular portion is configured to engage a lock cylinder core and the rectangular portion is configured to engage a pin housing associated with the cylinder core. The annular portion includes a front edge and a flange extending radially inwardly from the front edge and the rectangular portion includes a front surface, a pair of parallel side surfaces and a top surface. The front, top and side surfaces cooperate to partially enclose the pin housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20030222464
    Abstract: An adjustable button mechanism for a lock includes: a driving tube of a hollow tubular shape, having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to a driving mechanism of the lock, the second end forming a positioning slot; a connecting member having a first end forming an axial hole and a second end; a protruding member formed at the first end of the connecting member and radially extending into the positioning slot of the driving tube; a button lever placed within the driving tube, and having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to the driving mechanism, the second end being inserted into the axial hole of the connecting member; and a button placed on the second end of the connecting member, and either the connecting member or the button having an elastically supported lateral member, with the other containing a plurality of holes for selectively receiving the lateral member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Tung Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lan-Kun Don