Knobs Patents (Class 292/347)
-
Patent number: 5927769Abstract: This invention is directed to a door latch having an auxiliary bolt which activates the latch bolt, and the use of a latch to confine small children in the home. The auxiliary bolt has a hinged beveled end which pivots when the door is opened but is fixed when the door is closed to activate the latch. The latch is placed five feet above the floor to prevent a small child from opening the door. The latch has a guard plate below the door handle to prevent a small child from opening the latch with a stick. The latch can be mounted on any side of any door.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1996Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Inventor: John Howard Pullen
-
Patent number: 5860684Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a vehicle door comprises an outer open handle assembly and a latch assembly. The handle assembly has an handle base which is brought into contact with an outer surface of an outer door panel and a handle lever which is rotatably mounted on the handle base. The latch assembly has a bracket which is brought into contact with an inner surface of the outer panel, a latch mechanism which is engaged with a striker and mounted on the bracket, and an opening mechanism which is operative to release the latch mechanism and mounted on the bracket. The handle base and the bracket are fixed to each other with screws or bolts across the outer door panel. The latch assembly is covered with a decorative case.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1996Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tetsuro Mizuki
-
Patent number: 5845523Abstract: An electronic combination lock having a dial-shape handle with a keypad incorporated therein is disclosed. Rotation of the handle extends or retracts a bolt that closes or opens the lock. In one embodiment, a gear rotated by the shaft displaces the rack end of radially-extending bolts that extend or retract. The keypad includes indicia that inform the user of the extended or retracted condition of the bolt. A battery pack is used to energize circuitry, and the circuitry provides a control signal that activates a solenoid to extend or retract a bolt blocking device, which in turn prevents or enables movement of the bolt. A visual indicator warns of a low voltage or power condition in the battery pack. Electrical contacts are provided in the face plate of the handle to connect the circuitry to an external power source in case the battery pack fails.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: U-Code, Inc.Inventors: Dieter Butterweck, Peter J. Phillips, Klaus W. Gartner
-
Patent number: 5820178Abstract: A retainer for preventing abrasion of a lock spindle of a lock mechanism by a torsion spring used to return the lock assembly the center position. The lock mechanism includes an axial spindle operably connected to the knob and the lock bolt for selective operation. The torsion spring which returns the lock assembly to the center or at-rest position is coaxially mounted about the spindle. The retainer includes tabs disposed between the spring and the spindle to prevent contact therebetween and thereby eliminate abrasion of the spindle by the spring which can result in premature failure of the lock mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Baldwin Hardware CorporationInventors: Philip C. Ellis, Leslie A. Meck
-
Patent number: 5794994Abstract: An inside door handle unit to be installed to the inside surface of a door of an automotive vehicle. The inside door handle unit includes a body attached to the door of the vehicle. An inside door handle is rotatably supported to the body and pivotal around an axis. A door lock knob is rotatably supported to the body and pivotal around the axis. The handle and the door lock knob are connected to the door lock device. A spring is provided to bias the handle in one rotational direction of the handle. The handle is rotatably supported relative to the body under the action of a fitting connection between the counterpart device of the body and the counterpart device of the handle, while the lock knob is rotatably supported relative to the body under the action of another fitting connection between the counterpart device of the body and the counterpart device of the lock knob. The handle and the lock knob are independently rotatably supported on the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1996Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Assignees: OHI Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masazumi Miyagawa, Satoru Nishizawa, Takayuki Sano
-
Patent number: 5769145Abstract: An assembly for opening a door latch used in combination with a door, wherein the assembly includes a push-bar with an end piece that envelopes the door latch, the end piece being integrally connected to the bar at one of its ends and, connected at the other end to a spring which holds the assembly outward and away from the door, the other end of the spring is fastened to the door.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Inventor: Frank Kwatonowski
-
Patent number: 5762387Abstract: A universal door latch is mounted on a door having a series of holes therethrough for a latch spindle and fasteners. The latch has first and second subassemblies, a spindle, and means to rotate the spindle. The first subassembly includes a first housing which is secured to one side of the door and has a recess in its inner surface in which is seated a track plate with a central aperture and elongated slots diametrically spaced from the aperture. A pair of mounting studs are slidably seated in the slots, and a ribbon spring couples the mounting studs to cause the studs remain equidistant during their sliding movement. The second subassembly includes a second housing which is secured to the other side of the door and has a recess in its inner surface in which is seated a mounting plate with a central aperture and elongated slots diametrically spaced from the aperture. A pair of fasteners is slidably seated in the slots and engaged with the studs of the first subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: The Stanley WorksInventors: Jeffrey R. Edgerly, Vincent A. Bove
-
Patent number: 5749612Abstract: A door knob construction featuring a knob and cover to incorporate decorative detail. The knob construction consists of an oval knob body, a shank fastened to the knob body and a cover which fits over the shank to complete the decorative knob assembly. The knob body is hollow to accommodate the lock cylinder and includes a small diameter hole through which the cylinder protrudes. The knob body is secured to the knob shank by fasteners. The shank includes longitudinal ridges to form an interference fit with the decorative shank cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1996Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Baldwin Hardware CorporationInventors: Leslie A. Meck, Philip C. Ellis
-
Patent number: 5725264Abstract: A device for attaching to a doorknob and a method for attaching the device to the doorknob, the device comprising a body having two arms and an elongated handle member with a removed end and a near end, a pin extending from the body between the two arms, and fastener means for engaging the surface of the doorknob after the pin has been inserted therein for holding the body to the doorknob.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Inventor: Louis B. Villarreal
-
Patent number: 5718468Abstract: A modular return spring cage assembly for door lock handles, consists of a door lock mounting chassis member having two opposed faces, at least one face having two opposed arcuate channels forming a circular groove in the face. The groove has two split diametrically opposed spring bases each formed by two substantially equal spring stops projecting from radially outer and radially inner walls of the groove. Two compression springs are slidably disposed within the channels and have length such that a slight compression is required to fit the springs between the split spring bases. An arrangement for transmitting torsional motion between a door handle and the springs, and for limiting rotary motion of the handle is included. A provision for positively retaining the springs and the torsional motion transmission arrangement on the mounting chassis member completes the modular assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Assignee: Schlage Lock CompanyInventors: Khurshid A. Qureshi, Bruce P. Eagan, Rocco A. Carestia, William S. Massey, Joseph G. Matulich
-
Patent number: 5713615Abstract: A doorknob cover that provides a means for improving the appearance and feel of a doorknob while retaining the rotation and function of the doorknob. The cover, made of soft cloth-like material, is shaped similar to a doorknob with a spherical head, narrower neck and wider base. Openings along the neck of the cover and the flexibility of the material allow the base and neck of the cover to stretch and fit over the doorknob. A string is laced through the neck of the doorknob cover, then tied tightly to secure the cover on the doorknob so that it cannot be removed by pulling. The underside of the cover is coated with a layer of rubber-like material that promotes friction against the surface of the doorknob to allow easy operation of the doorknob without the cover slipping. The coating will also prevent the transfer of static electricity from the metal of the doorknob to the hand. In addition, the soft cover will protect the hand from the coldness of metal doorknobs during cold weather.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Inventor: Hsu-Hei Tsai
-
Patent number: 5713614Abstract: A flexible handle extension for a pivoted handle of a light-duty door latch assembly of a screen door and the like and a method of substantially reducing an opening force required to unlatch the assembly from the door jam. The handle extension includes an elongated semi-flexible tube sized in inner diameter to biasingly slidably engage over and be self-retaining on the handle and sized in length to be at least twice the length of the handle. The combination of handle extension length and semi-flexibility substantially reduces door opening force while diminishing the seriousness of body injury when the handle and attached handle extension are accidentally bumped or struck by an individual.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Inventor: Lee A. Anderson
-
Patent number: 5700044Abstract: A door latch operator for retracting a door latch comprises a handle having upper and lower end portions formed with front faces attachable to a door and a vertical hand grip portion between the upper and lower end portions. The upper end portion is in the form of a hollow housing having a chamber therein. The hand grip portion is in the form of a generally U-shaped channel which communicates at one end with the interior of the housing. A lever for operating the door latch is pivoted in the housing and extends into the channel in the hand grip portion to a position where it may be squeezed and rotated from a withdrawn position to a latch retracting position by a hand on the hand grip portion. The handle and the lever are both solid brass forgings.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Inventor: George Wartian
-
Patent number: 5685583Abstract: A door knob construction featuring a machined knob and cover to incorporate decorative detail. The knob construction consists of a knob body, a shank threadably connected to the knob body and a cover which fits over the shank to complete the decorative knob assembly. The knob body is hollow to accommodate the lock cylinder and includes a small diameter hole through which the cylinder protrudes. The back of the knob body includes threads to accept the knob shank. Upon assembly, a bore is drilled across the threads and a pin is inserted to prevent disassembly of the knob body from the shank. The shank includes longitudinal ridges to form an interference fit with the decorative shank cover.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1996Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Baldwin Hardware CorporationInventors: Leslie A. Meck, Philip C. Ellis
-
Patent number: 5676409Abstract: A door locking system for child-safety door locking systems on an automobile includes, in combination, an automobile door including a latch and a door lock mechanism, a manual door lock actuator and a power door locking mechanism. The door handle is of the type which is incapable unlatching the door when the locking mechanism locks the latch. The door panel has an opening for receiving the manual lock actuator when moved to its locked position so that the manual lock actuator is substantially recessed within the door panel. The manual lock actuator and the door panel are constructed such that the manual lock actuator cannot be accessed through the opening for manual movement back to its unlocked position. The power lock mechanism can be actuated to unlock the door, but only from a location which is remote from the door itself.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Inventor: Earl M. Trammell, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5664287Abstract: The device of the present invention can be attached to a round door knob to make the door knob easy to turn by pushing a levering handle. The handle and clamp are in two pieces that are fastened together to form a single door knob clamp and handle. The two pieces are adjustable relative to each other so the clamp can be opened and closed allowing attachment to a variety of different sized and different shaped door knobs. Easy to install and easy to remove, the invention is designed to remain on the door knob once it has been installed, but it can be removed if desired or necessary. A child cord is affixed through an aperture in the free end of the handle making it easy for a child to open a door.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1996Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventor: Karl Sendelbach
-
Patent number: 5639132Abstract: Door latch-operating mechanism for retracting a door latch. A rotary shaft is mounted in a housing and is adapted to retract a latch when rotated. The shaft is turned by a handle on the outer end of the shaft. A tube is sleeved on the shaft between the handle and housing. The housing and handle are solid brass forgings. The tube is also solid brass. Any wear of the handle will not be noticed since it is solid brass rather than being made of some less attractive metal plated with brass. The shaft is completely covered and concealed by the brass housing, handle and tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Inventor: George Wartian
-
Patent number: 5518404Abstract: A talking door knob assembly which provides a decoratively shaped character familiar to a child as an inner door knob of a door to a child's room and complementary to the room decor, which responds to a rotation of the door knob by activating any of a plurality of pre-recorded messages associated with the character forming the door knob. The door knob may be formed in the image of any of a large variety of figures such as sports figures, nursery rhyme characters or other currently popular child characters. In addition to annunciating entertaining sounds or messages, the invention may provide messages for the safety and training of a child.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Inventor: Patrick T. Steele
-
Patent number: 5509174Abstract: A knob and bezel assembly for an appliance having a wall with an aperture and having a control with a shaft movable over a limited range of axial movement, rotatable about the axis when moved inwardly, biased outwardly, and projecting outwardly through the aperture. A knob has a handle and a hub, which is adapted to be axially fitted over the shaft so as to be axially movable with the shaft, and which has a keying formation adapted to coact with a keying formation of the shaft so as to be conjointly rotatable therewith. A bezel has a skirt and a hub, which fits slidably over the hub of the knob so that the skirt is disposed between the knob and the appliance wall. Ribs formed integrally on the hub of the knob are fitted slidably into grooves formed in the hub of the bezel to enable conjoint rotation of the knob and the bezel. Two retaining fingers are formed integrally on and extend from the ribs and have outwardly hooked tips hooked outwardly over an inner end of the hub of the bezel.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: K I Industries, Inc.Inventor: James L. Worrell
-
Patent number: 5499427Abstract: A knob assembly for drawers and the like comprises an integral knob having a flat base member, a longitudinally-extending stem connected at one end to the base member and a threaded bore opening in a second stem end for receiving a screw fastener therein. An insert piece having a top portion and a recessed shoulder portion extending around the perimeter of the top portion is received by a collar having a central opening size to receive the top portion of the insert while blocking the passage of the shoulder portion of the insert therethrough. The collar is adapted to be crimped so as to securely engage the base member by its periphery.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Blaser Die Casting Co.Inventor: Myrlen L. Bowman
-
Patent number: 5499851Abstract: A handle assembly, formed with a terminal flange, is adapted for flush installation in a panel aperture from the outboard side of the panel in a rock-in manner with the terminal flange overlying the panel outer surface. The housing has at least one inboard projecting stem receiving a one-piece clip through a hole in a retaining clip enabling a nut, upon being threaded on the stem, to hold handle assembly in the panel opening. The clip of the present invention is initially installed from the inboard side of the panel by means of upper and lower tabs adapted for manual push-on frictional engagement with associated upper and lower tongues projecting inboard from the handle housing. As a result of the clip tabs being manually engaged the installer has both hands free for threading a nut on the stem and torquing the nut down to complete the handle assembly installation. The housing tongues also provide a support function in that they prevent the clip from being distorted during the torquing operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventor: Stephen J. Mitchell
-
Patent number: 5499850Abstract: A latch system is provided having utility in securing a planar member in a closed position within a housing having a portal. A base plate is secured to the planar member and a rotatable member having a generally circular periphery is coupled to the base plate. A cover is secured to the base plate and rotatably retains the rotatable member thereon. The cover includes a generally circular aperture having a diameter less than that of the periphery of the rotatable member, wherein upon assembly the generally circular periphery of the rotatable member opposes the generally circular aperture of the cover. At least one detent protrusion is formed on either the generally circular periphery of the rotatable member or the diameter of the generally circular aperture in the cover. At least one detent recess is formed in the other of the generally circular periphery of the rotatable member or the diameter of the generally circular aperture and opposes the detent protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Doskocil Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventor: Douglas J. Sharp
-
Patent number: 5481890Abstract: A field conversion means to convert a knob-handle cylindrical lockset either with or without a key cylinder, installed in a door, to a lever-handle cylindrical lockset without changing any existing original key cylinder. The conversion means comprises an inside and an outside means, each including a lever-handle, a drive cartridge adaptor cylinder and a rosette or escutcheon containing a helical spring and a positive stop disk. The spring is biased to oppose droop of said lever-handle from a normal horizontal position and to oppose downward operating force, applied to said lever-handle and is increasingly biased when the lever is operated to oppose downward rotation of the lever. Stop means are provided in the rosette or escutcheon to limit the angular rotational travel of said lever-handle. Differently sized adapters are provided to permit the conversion of different sized cylindrical locks.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1993Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Inventor: Norman A. Millman
-
Patent number: 5369969Abstract: A door handle and lock body housing combination is provided. The lock body housing (1) has a rectangular shaped base configuration (5) which has a length approximately equal to the length of a handle (3) which extends therefrom in a direction generally parallel to the planar base (5). The height and width of the lock body housing (1) is sufficient to wholly accommodate a lock barrel (7) which extends from a front face of the housing (1). The handle (3) is generally "D"-shaped and wherein there is a greater distance behind the handle to the bottom of the planar base (5) at a central region (45) of the handle (3) than at the outer end regions (49) of the handle (3).Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Dowell Australia LimitedInventors: Christopher D. Sassella, Gerrard Mussett, Paul Taylor
-
Patent number: 5352004Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a gasket to a vehicle door handle housing is provided whereby the gasket and the housing can be easily and rapidly assembled together without requiring the use of a separate fastening operation. The handle housing is provided with grooves, and the gasket is provided with rib members. The rib members are adapted so as to be press fitted into the grooves so as to securely mount the gasket to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1993Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Ralph G. Nedbal
-
Patent number: 5340174Abstract: A handle assembly is adapted for installation in a vehicle panel aperture having a flanged border from the outboard side of the panel. The handle housing has a pre-installed attaching clip retained on the housing by a screw tightened to an initial setting enabling predetermined upward and inward travel of the clip between a lower gravity induced position to an installation rocked-in induced upper position. The clip has tapered flanges configured to bear on the aperture border during rocked-in movement of the housing along a determined swingline. Upon clip tabs being positioned inboard of the border the tapered flanges disengaging the border thereby returning the clip by gravity to its installed position such that tightening the screw clamps the tabs against the aperture border.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventors: Frederick F. Bender, Earl L. Watson
-
Patent number: 5316355Abstract: An integral door knob assembly for mounting on a face of a door has a spring return so that the door knob rotates to one position when released. A shank formed integral with or attached to the door knob is formed of plastic material eliminating the requirement of a separate plastic bushing in the rose member, and has flexible fingers to provide a snap lock between a spring assembly member and the end of the shank to hold the knob assembly to the rose member. The spring assembly member is also formed of plastic material and has sufficient flexibility to allow a torsion spring to be inserted and removed.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1993Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventors: Rae Hartwell, Ian Garben
-
Patent number: 5288116Abstract: An adapter and method for retrofitting a round door knob with a lever attachment including a lever arm portion and a door knob receiving portion wherein the door knob receiving portion may be fitted to the door knob while the door knob remains in place on the door assembly. The door knob receiving portion of the lever attachment has first and second bores of different diameters which allows the door knob to be abuttingly received within the door knob receiving portion and fixed in place therein by securing elements which project through a plurality of bores provided in the door knob receiving portion of the lever attachment.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1993Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Leeverall, Inc.Inventor: Philip J. Donofrio
-
Patent number: 5284373Abstract: A handle assembly is adapted for installation in a vehicle panel aperture from the outboard side of the panel. The assembly housing has an inboard projecting threaded stem supporting a one-piece L-shaped clip retained thereon in a pre-installation raised position a nut tightened on the stem. The clip comprises a vertically disposed head portion, having a vertical mounting slot receiving the stem, and a horizontally disposed body portion having a pair of fingers projecting toward the panel aperture. Upon the installer positioning the handle member in the panel aperture and loosening the nut, the clip descends in a predetermined manner wherein the fingers engage the aperture lower edge. Tightening the nut advances the clip outboard such that vertically disposed bearing edges thereon are urged into locking contact with the panel aperture flanged boarder.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventor: Earl L. Watson
-
Patent number: 5265924Abstract: The lever assembly for a door lock comprises a door lock cylinder having a shank extended from each side of the door lock cylinder and two structure provided between the inside and outside lever and a door lock cylinder, respectively for resiliently returning and maintaining the levers in their horizontal positions. The returning and maintaining structure includes a spacer, a nut for fastening the spacer against the door lock cylinder, a mounting member for mounting a rotatable member, and a spring member cooperating with the rotatable structure and a retainer for holding the spring member, and a lever having a shaft fitted to the shank. The parts of the lever assembly are in turn fitted onto the shank in a cooperating relationship, thereby to resiliently return and maintain the lever in its original, horizontal position without tilting by using of the lever.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Hyundai Metal Co., Ltd.Inventor: Won S. Kim
-
Patent number: 5248175Abstract: A handle assembly, having a release handle mounted flush with a housing, is adapted for installation in a panel aperature from the outboard side of the panel. The housing is formed with a terminal flange provided with an upper omitted segment extending between a pair of handle pivot brackets. A retaining rib extends between the brackets and is offset inboard from the plane of the terminal flange backside. The handle is thus adapted to be mounted in the aperture in a rock-in manner with the terminal flange overlying the panel outer surface while the rib has an offset face abutting the panel inner surface. The housing has an inboard projecting stem supporting a one-piece retainer clip member enabling a single nut, upon being torqued down on the stem, to lock the handle assembly in the panel opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: September 28, 1993Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventor: James A. Burns
-
Patent number: 5238276Abstract: A handle assembly, comprising a release handle mounted within a recess of the handle housing, is adapted for installation in a vehicle door panel aperture from the exterior thereof. The housing is formed with a terminal flange provided with an upper omitted segment extending longitudinally between a pair of upright handle support brackets. An elongated retaining rib is formed between the brackets having an outboard face offset a predetermined dimension inboard from the plane of the terminal flange backside. The housing is mounted in the panel aperture in a rocked-in manner with its terminal flange overlying the aperture recessed flanged border while the retaining rib face locates to the inboard surface of the flanged border. The housing central body has an inboard projecting stem adapted to support a clip whereby the clip, when fixed to the stem by a fastener, locks the handle assembly in the panel aperture.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1992Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Chrysler CorporationInventor: James A. Burns
-
Patent number: 5231731Abstract: A counterbalanced, one-piece, non-slip, lever action handle for retrofit adaption to existing door knobs is disclosed wherein a conforming, contoured lever handle is provided with self-tapping anchor screws for permanent attachment of the lever handle to a target door knob. Once attached, the lever handle becomes an extension of the existing door knob thereby facilitating greater access to individuals with disabilities.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1992Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Inventor: Robert L. Jones, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5219192Abstract: A door locking assembly which facilitates removal and replacement of a damaged lockset without the need to remove the cylinder, levers or knobs, or the escutcheon plates, which includes a lockset mountable within a door, said lockset including a latch for locking the door, a spindle engageable with the lockset, said lockset including a bushing defining a spindle aperture for accommodating a first end of the spindle, said spindle being adapted to rotatably displace the bushing for actuating the latch, a handle for securing a second end of the spindle, said handle means defining a socket for withdrawing the spindle to remove the lockset from within the door.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1992Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Securitech Group, Inc.Inventor: Simon Berger
-
Patent number: 5156359Abstract: A handle assembly for controlling an aircraft door latch mechanism so that the door can be opened or closed from either inside or outside the aircraft. The assembly includes an inner shaft that is connected to the latch mechanism so as to control the opening and closing of the door, and an outer shaft that overlaps the inner shaft and that can be telescopically extended away from inner shaft. An inside handle is attached to the inner shaft so as to rotate the shaft. Rotation of the outer shaft is controlled by an outside handle attached thereto. An inner clutch half is attached, by splines, to the inboard end of the outer shaft. An outer clutch half is attached, by splines, to the outboard end of the inner shaft. The clutch halves are normally spaced away from each other. When the outside handle and the outer shaft are extended, the clutch halves interlock so that the shafts will rotate in unison. An actuator disarming assembly with a translating pivoting crank is attached to the outer shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1991Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Donald R. Noble, Kurt Poechlauer, Richard J. Ulman
-
Patent number: 5145223Abstract: A cylindrical lock assembly (20) includes an inside subassembly (22) and an outside subassembly (24) which are assembled with a door (326). Each subassembly (22,24) includes a rose liner (26,38), a return spring cassette (28,40), a rose (30,42), a lever (32,46) and a lever insert (34,48). The inside subassembly (22) also includes a turn button (36) and the outside subassembly (24) includes a cylinder lock (44).The lever inserts (34,48) are each formed from a plastic material with a first element (400) and a second element (414) which are integrally joined by a plastic ribbon (426). In one instance, the first and second elements (400,414) are separated from the ribbon (426) and are joined to form structure which fills voids in the exterior of the levers (32,46). The voids are necessary for the insertion of the cylinder lock (44) which contains, for example, six tumbler pins. In another instance, only the first element (400) is used where the cylinder lock (44) contains, for example, seven tumbler pins.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1990Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: Emhart Inc.Inventors: James E. Robida, Kenneth W. Strickland
-
Patent number: 5129694Abstract: An inside door handle assembly is comprised of a bezel secured to a door of a vehicle and a handle pivotally mounted on the bezel for opening the door. The bezel and/or door has a main portion of a hard rigid material and an outer surface portion of a resilient material.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1991Date of Patent: July 14, 1992Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Morihito Nomura
-
Patent number: 5088781Abstract: A handle structure includes a handle lever and a grip member in latched engagement with the handle lever. The grip member has a recess formed therein and includes a sleeve-like outer member and an inner member received in the outer member. The inner and outer members are detachably engaged with one another, and the inner member is detachably engaged with the handle lever by a latch pawl that engages with a latch opening in the handle lever. The upper latch pawl is exposed to the outside of the grip member through a window opening formed in the outer member and the latch opening. The engagement between the inner member and the handle lever can be released through the window opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1991Date of Patent: February 18, 1992Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomio Ono, Hiromi Koyama
-
Patent number: 5067758Abstract: In a lock handle assembly, a lever handle has a rotary shaft to actuate a deadbolt which latches a door. The angular movement of the lever handle is limited by a mechanism including a rotary plate having radially projecting engaging members and mounted on the shaft, a fixed stop member to limit the forward movement of the rotary plate and a releasable stop member to limit the backward movement of the rotary plate. The shaft of the handle is detachably mounted to a casing by being fitted in a sleeve which in turned is mounted to the casing, thereby facilitating the replacement of the handle of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1990Date of Patent: November 26, 1991Assignee: Tong-Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yaw-Shin Fann, Ming-Shyang Chiou, Ching-Chuan Kuo
-
Patent number: 5056838Abstract: A recess is formed in the outside of the door and a fluid filled bladder such as a tubular hose is mounted in the recess. The bladder has an integral bellows portion formed on the end thereof which is distended from the bladder when pressure is imposed thereon by the vehicle user. A linkage is operably connected to the bellows portion of the bladder and adapted to release the door latch upon distention of the bellows portion from the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Roy F. Tiesler, Mark L. Kaski
-
Patent number: 5029917Abstract: The die cast metallic door handle adapted for attachment on the vehicle door has a molded plastic insert attached thereto on the face thereof facing toward the vehicle so that a user gripping the door handle places his fingers against the molded plastic insert to insulate his fingers from the temperature of the metallic handle. In addition, a molded plastic push button assembly including a molded plastic housing and a molded plastic push button are attached to the metallic handle so that the user's thumb pushes against the molded plastic push button instead of a metallic handle. In addition, the push button assembly has the molded plastic push button slidably guided on a pin which is encircled by a spring acting to position the push button. The push button assembly may be preassembled prior to its attachment to the handle so that push button assembly may be pretested prior to attachment to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1990Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Donald Szerlag, Joseph E. Mishark, James D. Girard
-
Patent number: 5029916Abstract: A push-pull door lock chiefly comprising a sleeve on one side of a conventional door lock and a sleeve with a pull ring on the front edge on another side thereof, wherein two rollers are pivotally mounted in the sleeve and two protruding shafts are provided to the end of sleeve, each one neck of the conventional door lock handle is provided with an inclined slide groove to receive each one roller on the sleeve, each one thimble is provided to each one fixing ring on both sides of the conventional door lock so as to respectively install a compression spring and a stretch spring and to receive the two protruding shafts on the sleeve; therefore, a push-press handle is on the one side of door lock and a pull-open handle is on the another side thereof, and through pushing the sleeve on the one side of the conventional door lock by any one portion of the user's body or pulling the pull ring on the front of sleeve on the another side thereof by his any one finger, the sleeve actuates the door lock handle to rotate,Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1990Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Inventor: I-Hsin Chiu
-
Patent number: 5020841Abstract: This mechanism (3) for linking an opening handle (4) to a lock pin (2) comprises a calliper (6) interacting with the handle (4), a rod (11) engaged so as to slide in only one direction in a sleeve (13) at the lower end of which the pin (2) is inserted; the sleeve (13) is equipped with a ring (19) which is slidably fitted around the sleeve and can be moved during set-up from a first position at the base of the flexible arms (14) to a second position situated at the ends of the arms nearest the calliper (6), in which position the ring (19) clamps the arms (14) around the rack (12) and is held in place by suitable means (23, 24). The ring (19) prevents the arms (14) and their inner teeth from coming away at all from the rack (12), thereby guaranteeing the total irreversibility of the mechanism in both directions of the link.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1990Date of Patent: June 4, 1991Assignee: Rockwell Automotive Body Systems-FranceInventor: Patrice Cardine
-
Patent number: 5011204Abstract: A resilient door knob utilizes both a spring-loaded internal housing and a resilient foam knob so that the doorknob absorbs shock when the door is swung against a wall, or someone strikes the doorknob. Another important feature is that the knob comes in sets of knobs of different colors or configurations such that one knob can be pulled off (or slit of if necessary) of the shaft housing and replaced with another one of a different color in the event, for example, the room is re-painted.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1990Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Inventor: Randall C. Labrum
-
Patent number: 4998760Abstract: A spring-loaded handle return assembly of compact size is installed in a trim ring or rose on an exterior portion of a door. The return assembly operates to return a door handle to a home position automatically upon release of the door handle by a user.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1989Date of Patent: March 12, 1991Assignee: Best Lock CorporationInventors: Duane B. Nixon, Ralph P. Palmer, Carl M. Pritchett
-
Patent number: 4993763Abstract: A door inside handle device, typically for a vehicle door, having a base plate, an opening handle rotatably mounted on the base plate, and a locking knob rotatably mounted on the base plate above an upper portion of the opening handle, includes a circular hole and an arcuate-shaped elongated hole or slot formed on an upper surface of the locking knob, a first hinge pin of the opening handle penetrating the slot, a second hinge pin of the locking knob penetrating the circular hole, and a hinge center or axis of the locking knob located offset from a hinge center or axis of the opening handle in a direction opposite to the direction of force applicable to the opening handle. The device includes a spring for biasing the opening handle to a certain position with respect to the baseplate. The handle and knob outer surfaces, farthest into interior vehicle space, are substantially flush with one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1989Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Yukio Isomura, Noboru Kanou
-
Patent number: 4981314Abstract: A door knob has a generally spherical flattened configuration with a front face provided with a representation of a human eye. The eye may be integrally formed with the door knob or bonded thereto. Various portions of the eye may be treated with a luminescent or phosphorescent paint such that the eye will glow in the dark. The door knob serves as a novelty item which also functions as an indicator for the position of the door knob at night due to the luminescent or phosphorescent treatment. In a second embodiment, the human eye representation is separately formed as a cylindrical plug rotatably mounted in a circular aperture formed through a front face of the door knob. A key hole is formed centrally through the pupil of the eye in alignment with a conventional lock cylinder. The glowing eye serves as a position indicator at night time to indicate the position of the key hole.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1989Date of Patent: January 1, 1991Inventor: Anthony L. Carr
-
Patent number: 4971375Abstract: A retrofit lever handle used by a disabled person for turning a door knob on a door is provided and consists of an inner member which fits into an outer member that has a curved arm and tab thereon. The inner member is adjustable to grip the door knob on the door so that any portion of the disabled person can make contact with the curved arm while the tab will prevent slippage off of the arm. Movement of the arm will turn the door knob thus enabling the disabled person to open and close the door.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1990Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Inventor: Pasquale Grecco
-
Patent number: 4967471Abstract: A handle case and a handle which are substantially assembled are clamped on a pallet with respective first and second clamping means, and the pallet is conveyed along a looped conveyor. The handle case and the handle are connected operatively to each other with hinge means in a first assembling station disposed alongside of the conveyor. Then, the pallet is conveyed successively through other assembling stations disposed along the conveyor to install other door handle components on the handle case and the handle in the other assembling stations.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1989Date of Patent: November 6, 1990Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Noguchi, Darrell Stofford, Lewis Sandridge
-
Patent number: 4932708Abstract: The present invention provides a cover for use in a vehicle such as an automobile for covering door operating elements thereby concealing them from children. The cover is in the form of a rectangular box-like housing which is placed over any upwardly projecting elements such as a locking button, the housing having a bowed front flange which hides such elements as a latching handle on the inside of the door. A rear flange can be inserted between the window and the lower door portion to retain the cover in position.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1989Date of Patent: June 12, 1990Inventor: Sandra J. Taub