Spring Arm Patents (Class 292/80)
  • Patent number: 11027907
    Abstract: A container having a full perimeter lid pressure or tensioning mechanism. The container can also have a removable temperature sensor to monitor an internal compartment temperature. A pressure regulator is also disclosed to regulate a pressure differential and vacuum of the container in order to control an amount of vacuum sealing of the lid to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Eufouric Brands, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Hoyt
  • Patent number: 10646034
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an insulated transport cabinet for food or the like having a housing, a door, a hinge cover, and a hinge pin. The housing includes a barrel portion adjacent to a front surface and extending between top and bottom ends. The barrel portion includes a longitudinal axis, a gap separating the barrel portion into top and bottom barrel sections having first and second passageways aligned with the longitudinal axis, respectively. The door includes a hinge adjacent to a side surface and including a third passageway aligned with the longitudinal axis. An inner surface of the hinge pin complements an outer surface of the hinge. The hinge pin passes through the first, third, and second passageways. The door pivots about the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The longitudinal axis is offset from a center plane of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: INTERMETRO INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Olson, Todd Robinson
  • Patent number: 10226139
    Abstract: A basket hanger a method of forming a hook for the basket hanger and a method of attaching the basket hanger to a basket. The basket hanger having a hook with a plurality of steel wires strands attached at a proximal end to the hook, the steel wire strands having a substantially straight downwardly extending portion terminated at a distal end in a clip with an upwardly extending leg, the upwardly extending leg canted to one side and having a dogleg. The steel wire strands may be spring steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: Brad Johnson
  • Patent number: 10113550
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a ventilation exhaust fan comprising a main housing adapted to interchangeably receive a upgrade cartridge assembly. The main housing can include a fluid inlet through which fluid is received within the main housing, and a fluid outlet through which fluid exits the main housing. The ventilation exhaust fan can be installed in a structure in place of an existing ventilation exhaust fan assembly. The main housing can provide support to a scroll and a blower wheel positioned within the scroll. A motor may be nestled within the scroll and coupled to the blower wheel. A capacitor including a motor harness and plug can be electrically coupled with the motor. Electrical power can be supplied to the capacitor and motor to cause the motor to rotate the blower wheel to generate a flow of fluid out of the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Mirko Zakula, Robert G. Penlesky, Daniel L. Karst
  • Patent number: 10042319
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming device includes a replaceable unit having a body with a toner reservoir. A drive element on a rear end of the body is unobstructed to mesh with a corresponding drive element in the image forming device. A toner outlet port is positioned on a bottom of the body near the rear end of the body. A latch catch is positioned on a first side of the body to receive a corresponding latch when the replaceable unit is installed in the image forming device. A latch actuator at the front end of the body is movable between a home position and a releasing position. A release handle at the front end of the body is operatively connected to the latch actuator such that actuation of the release handle causes the latch actuator to move from the home position to the releasing position to unlatch the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Leemhuis, Thomas Eugene Pangburn
  • Patent number: 10001790
    Abstract: A monitoring security system can be coupled to a thermostatic HVAC control module, either wired or wirelessly. In at least some embodiments, an interactive interface of the monitoring security system can communicate with the thermostatic HVAC control module. Information as to operation of the monitoring security system and the thermostatic HVAC control module can be presented on a common display of the monitoring security system, and commands that are directed to the thermostatic HVAC control module can be entered via the monitoring security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Eric Oh, Ronald K. Rothman, Kenneth L. Addy, David S. Zakrewski
  • Patent number: 9797175
    Abstract: A drive device for a movable furniture part includes a lockable push-out device for pushing the movable furniture part out of a closed position into an open position. The push-out device can be unlocked by virtue of the movable furniture part being pushed into an excess-pressure position located behind the closed position, as seen in the closing direction. An excess-pressure region is located between the closed position and an excess-pressure position. The drive device also has a damping device for damping the closing movement of the movable furniture part. The damping device has displacement-dependent damping, in which the damping force in a main damping region, located in front of the closed position—as seen in the opening direction, is higher than in the excess-pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Brunnmayr
  • Patent number: 9717334
    Abstract: A drive device for a moveable furniture part including an ejection element, an ejection force accumulator, and a locking device for the ejection element. The locking device includes a locking journal which is subjected to force of the ejection force accumulator and can be locked in a locked position in a latch region of a guide track. The guide track is shaped like a curved heart and has a tightening section in which the locking journal can be moved when the ejection force accumulator is tightened, and a latching movement section of the locking journal prior to reaching the locked position in the latch region. The locking journal impinged upon by the tightened ejection force accumulator can be slowed down and/or dampened in the latching movement section and can be placed in the latch region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventors: Christof Goetz, Florian Fischer
  • Patent number: 9642461
    Abstract: A drive device for a moveable furniture part includes an ejection element, an ejection force accumulator, and a locking device for the ejection element. The locking device has a locking journal which is subjected to action of the ejection force accumulator, and can be locked in a locked position in a region of a catch on a guide rail. The catch area has a locking pin which is fixed with respect to the guide rail. The locking journal which is subjected to the force of the ejection force accumulator is arranged in the catch region such that it can be slowed down and/or dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventors: Christof Goetz, Florian Fischer
  • Patent number: 9601148
    Abstract: A safety stop mechanism for an automated storage library in which a connector has first and second ends. The first end is configured to contact a door of the automated storage library when the door is in at least a first position. A safety stop is connected to the second end of the connector and adapted to move from a down position to an up position. The safety stop is in the down position when the door is in the first position allowing for travel of the robotic accessor over the safety stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Hartl, Shawn M. Nave
  • Patent number: 9307659
    Abstract: A constraint mechanism includes a constraint component disposed on a second housing, and a flexible component disposed on a first housing. The constraint component includes a guide slot and an engaging portion. The flexible component includes a main body, a bending portion and a contacting portion. A first edge of the main body is fixed by a side of an opening on the first housing. A first side of the bending portion is connected to the main body, and is located at a position adjacent to a second edge of the main body. The contacting portion is disposed on a second side of the bending portion. A rim of the contacting portion is an arc structure. The contacting portion moves along the guide slot, so that the arc structure can be constrained by the engaging portion, to constrain a movement of the first housing relative to the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Dian-Hua Lee, Yi-Jiun Lin, Chuan-Yi Liang
  • Patent number: 9295328
    Abstract: A drive device for a movable furniture part includes a lockable ejection device for ejecting the movable furniture part out of a closed position into an open position. The ejection device can be unlocked by pushing the movable furniture part over into an pushed-over position located behind the closed position in the closing direction. A blocking element is provided, and the blocking element has a first position in which the movable furniture part can be stopped when reaching the closed position, so that the blocking element prevents a further movement of the movable furniture part in the closing direction. The locking element also has a second position in which the path into the pushed-over position for the movable furniture part is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Brunnmayr
  • Patent number: 9277815
    Abstract: A drive device for a movable furniture part includes a lockable ejection device. The ejection device has a force-actuated ejection lever for ejecting the movable furniture part along an ejection section from a closed position into an open position. In the closed position, the ejection lever bears against a locking element in a locking position. By moving the movable furniture part into a pressed-over position situated behind the closed position in the closing direction, the ejection device can be unlocked in that the locking element opens up a first path in the ejection section for the ejection lever. By pulling on the movable furniture part, the ejection device can be brought from the closed position into a pull-unlocking position in front of the closed position in the opening direction so that the ejection lever passes into the ejection section over a second path space apart from the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: JULIUS BLUM GMBH
    Inventor: Harald Brunnmayr
  • Patent number: 9157620
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for mounting an optical member to an oblong luminaire, comprising a plurality of mounting members, arranged to be fixed to an end cap at the narrow side of an oblong luminaire and to accommodate the optical member, wherein the plurality of mounting members comprises a first type of mounting member and a second type of mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: THORN LIGHTING LTD.
    Inventors: Anton Bowness, Raymond Keane, Joanne Mailen, Darren Feasey
  • Patent number: 9157259
    Abstract: A hood latch assembly configured to securely latch a striker bar of a hood to a main frame of a vehicle includes a main body having a moveable secondary latch pivot arm, and a moveable primary latch member. The primary latch member is configured to secure the striker bar in a primary closed position, and the secondary latch pivot arm is configured to secure the striker bar in a secondary closed position above the primary latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Johnson, Alexander W. Sherrill, Nicholas Capito, Jr., Irma Romero
  • Patent number: 9126556
    Abstract: An air-bag module mounting structure where a fixing part 88 of a hub 80 of a steering wheel is fastened to a fastened part 24 of a horn plate 20 to which an air-bag module is fixed. A body cover 30 includes a positioning pin 31 protruding toward the hub 80 and a hook 38 protruding from a side surface 37 of the positioning pin 31. The hub 80 includes an insertion hole 84 into which the positioning pin 31 is inserted and with which the hook 38 engages; and a stopper 87 that prevents the horn plate 20 from moving, because of a gap d2 existing between the insertion hole 84 and the positioning pin 31, when the fixing part 88 and the fastened part 24 are fastened together. The gap d2 allows the positioning pin 31 to pass through the insertion hole 84 while the positioning pin 31 is bent due to a contact between the hook 38 and the insertion hole 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Sakaguchi, Hiroki Takehara
  • Patent number: 9022438
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a vehicle includes a base and a cap pivotally mounted to the base. The base can define a recess for receiving a component therein to be captured by the cap. The cap is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cap includes a locking feature that maintains the cap in the locked position and urges the cap to the locked position when nearly in the locked position. When the cap is in the locked position, the component is locked within the recess. When the cap is in the unlocked position, the component is removable from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Mori, Robert Bator, Jason Wendling, Benjamin Huttsell
  • Patent number: 8888148
    Abstract: An integrated snap and handling apparatus is provided. The apparatus may be capable of being assembled with and disassembled from a mating component without damage. The apparatus may include a pair of features that provide an intuitive and easy user interface for removal, handling and installation. The pair of features may allow a user to use a pinching motion to engage and disengage the apparatus from the mating component without the use of a tool. The integrated snap and handling apparatus may provide for low removal forces when the user interface is properly actuated while resisting high separation forces when the user interface is not properly actuated. The integrated snap and handling apparatus may be incorporated into a wide variety of assemblies and devices. For example, the integrated snap and handling apparatus may be incorporated into a cooling duct for the control of airflow around an electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Li Hsu
  • Patent number: 8882159
    Abstract: A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a sliding door arrester to prevent the sliding door from inadvertently closing during a deceleration event. The sliding door arrestor includes a base fixed relative to a guide rail and a locking element pivotally attached to the base. The locking element includes a mass and a lock. The locking element rotates relative to the base during a deceleration event to engage the lock with a biasing member to prevent movement of a sliding element that is displaceable along the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Kreuz
  • Patent number: 8789856
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a cover in a closed orientation substantially covering a chassis face of a unit; the unit containing equipment in an equipment volume; the equipment volume being partially bounded by the chassis face; includes: a positioning structure coupling the cover with the unit for selectively situating the cover in the closed orientation or in an other orientation; and a latching structure configured for latchingly engaging the chassis face and the cover for holding the cover in the closed orientation when the latching structure is in a first orientation. The latching structure does not engage the chassis face and the cover when the latching structure is in a second orientation. The latching structure is situated substantially entirely outside the equipment volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Min C C. Kim, Khanh Nguyen, Mark A. Haisler
  • Patent number: 8789901
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a clapboard having a locking hole defined therein and forming part of a receiving portion, and a housing structure defining a latching hole opposite to the locking hole. A locking assembly is mounted to the housing structure and used to disengagably lock the housing structure in the receiving portion, and includes a locking part, a sliding part and a handle. The locking part is fixed to the housing structure and a sliding part including a resisting portion passing through the latching hole and the locking hole to engage with the communication apparatus. The sliding part is movably mounted in the housing structure and includes a resisting portion to engage with the latching portion. The handle slidably passes through the housing structure and is fixed to the sliding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Ming Kuan
  • Patent number: 8777281
    Abstract: An outside handle device for a vehicle door is provided which comprises a base mounted on a vehicle door, an operating handle extending lengthwise in a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle, and a support member assembled to the base while pivotably supporting a supported part formed in one end part, in a longitudinal direction, of the operating handle, wherein the support member pivotably supported on the base so as to be pivotable between a pre-assembly holding position and an assembly completion position is formed so as to be held by the base so that at the pre-assembly holding position the support member can pivot toward the assembly completion position in response to a pressing force acting from the operating handle accompanying an operation of assembling the operating handle, and so as to pivotably clasp the supported part and be engaged with and fixed to the base at the assembly completion position when pivoting accompanying a pressing force acting from the operating handle from the pre-assembly holding
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventor: Tadashi Saitou
  • Patent number: 8755178
    Abstract: An exemplary frame assembly includes a mounting frame and a fixing frame which is detachably mounted inside the mounting frame. The fixing frame includes two opposite side plate and two latching assemblies. Each latching assembly includes two connecting arms, a main body and a handle. Each connecting arm includes a first section extends from a front end of a corresponding one of the first and second side plate a predetermined distance and coplanar with the corresponding one of the first and second side plate and a second section bent backwards from the first section and overlapping the first section. Each second section includes a first latching portion. The mounting frame includes two second latching portions. The two first latching portions of the two latching assemblies cooperate with the two second latching portions to lock the fixing frame to the mounting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precison Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei Zheng, Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Patent number: 8720958
    Abstract: A barrier employed to keep children and/or pets in or out of certain areas in the house. The barrier includes four panels. Two main panels slide parallel to each other to lengthen or shorten the barrier as a whole. Two side panels stabilize the main panels and extend to the front and rear faces of the main panels to provide a self-supporting in-house barrier. Each of the panels includes a wooden frame. The wood lends less weight, less sharp edges, and more pleasing aesthetics than, for example, a metal gate. Legs are connected to the side panels to further stabilize the side panels and main panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Porter R. Million
  • Patent number: 8684422
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fixing mechanism for fixing a component. The fixing mechanism includes a base, a bottom wall disposed on the base, and two lateral walls disposed on the base and connected to the bottom wall. A containing space is formed between the base, the bottom wall, and the two lateral walls. The fixing mechanism further includes a hook. The hook includes a cantilever portion and a hooking portion. The cantilever portion is connected to the bottom wall and for pressing against the component when the component is contained inside the containing space. The hooking portion is connected to the cantilever portion and engages with a lateral surface of the component when the component is contained inside the containing space. The fixing mechanism further includes two engaging parts for laterally engaging against the component when the component is contained inside the containing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Chen-Yi Liang, Chun-Chien Chen, Cheng-Hsiang Chuang
  • Patent number: 8646618
    Abstract: A modular shelving system comprises a first upright, a second upright, first and second rails, and a rail spanner. The first upright includes a first body and a first cleat having a base portion secured in the first body. The second upright includes a second body and a second cleat having a base portion secured in the second body. Each of the first and second rails defines an upper cleat hole and a lower cleat hole. The first cleat of the first upright is slidably received in the upper and lower cleat holes of the first rail, and the second cleat of the second upright is slidably received in the upper and lower cleat holes of the second rail. The rail spanner extends between the first and second rails and includes first and second retaining claws each connected to the rail spanner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Peota, Robert D. Yoder, Andrew K. Enyart, Mark A. Campbell, Steven C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8622442
    Abstract: A lid lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a retainer, a cap, and a lock pin. The retainer includes a fitting portion to which an end portion of the cap is configured to fit from an outside of the lid box towards an inside of the lid box and a first engaging portion formed to be positioned outward of the lid box relative to the fitting portion. The cap includes an operational lever portion configured to be elastically deformed to tilt by an operation at an outside of the lid box and including a second engaging portion configured to engage with and disengage from the first engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Imatomi, Toshihiro Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8585103
    Abstract: A connector has first and second ends. The first end is configured to contact a door of the automated storage library when the door is in at least a first position. A safety stop is connected to the second end of the connector and adapted to move from a down position to an up position. The safety stop is in the down position when the door is in the first position. The connector is adapted to travel in a lateral direction corresponding to a similar movement of the door as the door is opened between the first position and a second position, causing the safety stop to move from the down position to an up position to prevent travel of the robotic accessor beyond the safety stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Hartl, Shawn M. Nave
  • Patent number: 8561847
    Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Rosenkranz, Robert L. Quinlan, Jr., David D. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8562082
    Abstract: A fixing mechanism of housing includes a housing and a fixing assembly. The housing has a first wall and a second wall connected adjacently. The first wall has an assembling portion with an assembling hole projected thereon. The second wall has a buckling tab. The fixing assembly includes a knob and a locking piece. The knob has an operating portion, connected to a mounting arm, disposed on the assembling portion. The locking piece has a base disposed on the inner side of the assembling portion, a hooking arm extended from the base, and an elastic portion. The mounting arm penetrates through the assembling hole in securing to the base. The elastic portion is connected to the hooking arm and the first wall on respective ends. The free end of the hooking arm has a claw portion selectively engaged with the buckling tab of the second wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Li Liu, Yung-Lung Liu, Chuan-Chieh Tseng
  • Patent number: 8534717
    Abstract: An interconnect assembly (100) includes a spring member (200) integrally formed of a first portion (202) having two prongs (208) and a slot (210), the first portion being coupled to a second deflected portion (204) formed of a cantilevered beam (212) with interference fit tabs (214) extending from either side. A latch (400) includes hooks (406) and foot members (408). A housing (600), such as a battery pack housing, includes a side surface (606) having protrusion (602) and pockets (604) formed therein along with vertical side channels (610). The spring, latch and housing (200, 400, 600) are coupled such that the vertical channels (610) capture and guide the interference fit tabs (214) down the side of the housing (600) as the foot members (408) of the latch (400) are inserted into the pockets (604) of the housing (600).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Curits L. Whetten, Charles W. Friedli, Kevin K. Maggert
  • Patent number: 8511726
    Abstract: The invention relates to an outside door grip, in particular for vehicles. The outside door grip exhibits a manually actuated handle, which engages a lock disposed in the door upon actuation. In addition, a pivotable blocking member serving as a mass blockage is furnished, which blocking member is disposed generally in its ineffective disengagement position, wherein the handle remains actuatable, which blocking member moves into an effective blocking position based on the inertia of its mass in case of a crash and thereby blocks the handle. Furthermore a damping device is furnished which takes care that the blocking member remains at least so long in its blocking position in case of a crash, until oscillations caused by the crash and acting on the outside door grip and/or the handle, have decayed so far that an effective actuation of the handle by the oscillations is not any longer possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Huf HĂĽlsbeck & FĂĽrst GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Ralf Lennhoff, Sascha Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8505986
    Abstract: A hook module of an electronic device is disclosed. The hook module includes a base and a hook body. The base includes two positioning pillars and a side board, and the hook body is located on the base with one end passing through the side board. The hook body includes two elastic arms located at two edges of the hook body, respectively, and each of the elastic arms includes an abutting portion. When the hook body is moved by force applied on it, the two abutting portions abut against the two positioning pillars. The two positioning pillars and the two abutting portions move relative to each other to make the two elastic arms deformed, and an elastic restoring force generated from the two elastic arms drives the hook body to restore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Chieh Sun
  • Patent number: 8485567
    Abstract: A sterilization cassette has a slide latch system to secure the lid of the cassette to the body of the cassette. A finger tab on the outside of the cassette moves a latch arm on the inside of the cassette along a slot. A tension spring secures the position of latch components whether the latch is open or closed. Spacers between the cassette and latch parts facilitate smooth gliding action. The latch arm engages an angled bracket on the lid of the cassette. Alternating notch depths on instrument rails within the cassette work with opposing rails that likewise have alternating depths of notches to capture and hold instruments. This notch configuration causes the handles of adjacent instruments stowed in the cassette to stagger in height so that a clinician can access the handles of the stowed instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Dennis A. Meuchel
  • Patent number: 8485573
    Abstract: In a handle device for a vehicle door, a base member made of a synthetic resin is provided with: a pin support part having a support hole; and a pair of restricting walls which flexes so as to allow a pin to pass through when the pin is inserted into the support hole and which opposes an end part of the pin after insertion of the pin is completed. The pin is formed so as to integrally have: a pin main portion being formed in a round bar shape having a constant diameter and a circular cross-sectional shape and being inserted from one end side through the support hole; and a large diameter portion being coaxially connected to the other end of the pin main portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Hiroshi Gouhara, Akinori Hidaka
  • Patent number: 8474882
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism for portable electronic device includes a sliding housing, a main housing and a stopping module. The sliding housing includes two ledges. At least one of the ledges defines a first notch and a second notch. The main housing includes two rails and at least one elastic member. The sliding housing is slidingly attached to the main housing by engagement of the ledges and the rails. The at least one elastic member includes a positioning portion. The positioning portion flexibly resists the at least one of the ledges and is selectively engaged in the first notch and the second notch. The stopping module prevents the sliding housing from separating from the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Hsin Chang, Long Chin
  • Patent number: 8459706
    Abstract: A door handle apparatus for a vehicle, includes a frame, a handle, a rotational movement connecting portion integrally formed at one of the frame and the handle, a contact wall portion integrally formed at the other one of the frame and the handle and restricting a displacement of the handle towards one end portion thereof in a longitudinal direction thereof when contacting the rotational movement connecting portion, and a protruding portion integrally formed at the other one of the frame and the handle, being elastically deformable when press-contacting the rotational movement connecting portion to allow the handle to be slidably displaced towards the one end portion, elastically returning to an initial position where the slide displacement of the handle towards the other end portion in the longitudinal direction is restricted when the press-contact is cancelled, and rotatably supporting the rotational movement connecting portion in conjunction with the contact wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Yoshino, Koichi Nagata, Mizuya Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8434251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display apparatus including a first case and a second case coupled to each other to define an external appearance of the display apparatus. A fastening guide extends from an inner surface of the first case, and a fastening member is engaged with the fastening guide. The fastening member is provided with a boss portion for screw-fastening. The first case and second case are coupled to each other using the fastening guide and fastening member having a thin thickness, whereby a reduced thickness of fastening parts and stable inter-coupling of the first case and second case are accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Jin Lee, Sang Hak Kim, Hyun Jun Jung, Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 8424927
    Abstract: A coupling structure couples first and second casing parts together. The first casing part is formed with a detachment hole. The coupling structure includes one resilient engaging hook projecting from the first casing part and a coupling member disposed between the first and second casing parts and formed with first and second engaging grooves. The resilient engaging hook hooks the first engaging groove in a right direction. The coupling member has a pushing element tending toward the detachment hole. One rigid engaging hook projects from the second casing part and engaging the second engaging groove in a left direction. Manually leftwise movement of the pushing element in the left direction results in simultaneous bending of the resilient engaging hook in the left direction so as to disengage the rigid engaging hook from the second engaging groove, thereby permitting removal of the second casing part from the first casing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tien-Chuan Tsai
  • Patent number: 8371539
    Abstract: A shaft 14 is provided on the opposite side of the side provided with a locking mechanism 7 in a remote control; a remote control holder 3 has provided thereon a bearing section 15 abutting on the shaft 14 when the remote control 1 is housed in the remote control holder 3; the remote control holder 3 further has supportingly provided thereon a holding lever 18 gripping the shaft 14 in cooperation with the bearing section 15; the holding lever 18 has provided thereon a coil spring 21 energizing the holding lever 18 toward the shaft 14; and further the remote control 1 has provided thereon a lever engaging section 23 that rotates the holding lever 18 against the resilient force of the coil spring when the remote control 1 is rotated to take out the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hirota, Takahiro Ikunami
  • Patent number: 8366156
    Abstract: A cart has a container body and a lid rotatably affixed to the container body so as to be selectively rotated between an open position and a closed position. A latch has a first end adapted to be rotatably affixed to the lid. A second end is adapted to engage the container body. The first end is connected to the second end by an arched member, the arched member is capable of flexure when a force is applied at a concave surface of the arched member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: IPL, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis Mercier, Roch Nolet, Philippe Noel, Marc Talbot-Pouliot
  • Patent number: 8353544
    Abstract: A locking magnet closure consists of a first closure module and a second closure module and comprises a magnet-keeper construction with at least one magnet in the first closure module and a keeper or second magnet in the second closure module, wherein on closing the magnet-keeper construction pulls the first closure module and the second closure module together in a closing direction. The closure further comprises a locking device for positively locking the closure modules between the first closure module and the second closure module. The locking device comprises at least one spring locking element, consisting of an engaging protrusion and a spring, wherein the spring locking element is arranged in the first closure module, and a locking piece which is arranged in the second closure module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: FIDLOCK GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Fiedler
  • Patent number: 8297667
    Abstract: A lockable latch system includes an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle and a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar. A springboard is disposed on the rigid hook. The springboard is operable between an obstructing position, wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar and an unobstructing position, wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar. A lock assembly includes a cam operable between an interference position, wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position, wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Junko Pauken, Charles Alan Rocco, Michael James Whitens
  • Patent number: 8297467
    Abstract: A slow cooker comprising a housing, a container disposed in a hollow body of the housing, a lid, and a sealing ring sealingly engages the lid and the container. The container has a rim disposed with an engaging means. The engaging means comprises a movable member and an upper stationary member. The upper stationary member has an upper surface disposed with a sliding plate. The sliding plate has a limiting end surface atop for limiting movement of the movable member. A space is formed between the limiting end surface and the sliding plate for a tongue of the movable member to pass through. The movable member is disposed on the sliding plate. The tongue of the movable member passes through the space to press onto the lid, and the movable member is secured onto the sliding plate via a snapping means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chengen Zhong, Pingtao Chen, Yun Yang
  • Patent number: 8287009
    Abstract: The system contains a latch mechanism for a container having a first container portion and a second container portion comprising a guide part attached to the first container portion. A slide part is carried by the guide part, shiftable relative to the guide part between a closed position restraining the second container portion and an open position releasing the slide part from the second container portion. A guide catch part is integral with said guide part and a slide part including a depressible flap. A slide catch part is integral with said depressible flap. Interaction between said guide catch part and said slide catch part restrains said slide part against movement from said closed position into said open position. Actuating said depressible flap releases said slide catch part from being restrained by said guide catch part and frees the slide part to move from the closed to open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary T. Dane, Kraig Herman Allen
  • Patent number: 8283065
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery cover, and a latching module. The battery cover has at least one protrusion. The latching module includes an elastic positioning element attached to the housing and a resisting element attached to the elastic positioning element. The at least one protrusion of the battery cover impels the resisting element to deform the elastic positioning element during assembly and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8267443
    Abstract: A computer housing (10) is disclosed, that uses a camming action to move a latch (62). The latch (62) is movable between at least two positions—a latching position and an unlatching position. Moving the latch (62) to its unlatching position causes the latch (62) to engage and move one or more latching members or snaps (42) that detachably engage a bezel (38). Once the latching members or snaps (42) have been sufficiently moved, the bezel (38) may be moved away from the remainder of the computer housing (10). Reattaching the bezel (38) to the computer housing (10) automatically moves the latch (62) back to its latching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Chen-Chien Kuo, Huai-Wen Fu
  • Patent number: 8251408
    Abstract: A battery cover latch mechanism is configured for detachably assembling a battery cover on a housing. The battery cover latch mechanism includes a button, an assembly portion including two blocks positioned on the housing, a latching part positioned on the battery cover; and a resilient member secured on the button and latching to the blocks to provide a resilient force to the button. The button releasably latches to the latching part to lock the battery cover to the housing or release the battery cover from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Jin-Lian Chen, Yung-Chang Yen
  • Patent number: 8251409
    Abstract: A cover latching mechanism for an electronic device includes a housing and a cover slidably mounted with the housing. The housing has a latching member and at least one limiting member. The cover has a cover body and a guiding rail formed on the cover body. The guiding rail is slidably mounted with the latching member. The limiting member is for preventing the guiding rail sliding apart from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chang, Zhi Li, Zhi-Yun Shen
  • Patent number: 8240721
    Abstract: A cover latching mechanism is provided including a base member, a cover member, and a button assembly. The base member includes an elastic hook. The cover member is detachable assembled to the base member. The button assembly is fixed to the cover member and movable relative to the cover member to latch to or release from the elastic hook. The button assembly includes a button member having a positioning arm and a sleeve portion and further defining a elastic hooking hole. The elastic hook engages into the elastic hooking hole so that the elastic hook latches the button assembly with the base member. The positioning arm secures the button assembly to the cover member. The restoring member can be deformed when the button assembly pressed, so that the elastic hook releases out of the elastic hooking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chang, Zhi Li, Zhi-Yun Shen