Multiple Head Patents (Class 292/91)
  • Patent number: 11542734
    Abstract: The present inventive concept provides a door holding and/or a door latching apparatus including an elongated door latch bracket including a first end that is affixed to an area on a door frame that extends toward a substantially U-shaped door latch portion for engaging with and holding the edge of a door, wherein the U-shaped door latch portion extends toward a second end including a tab or flap member for flexing the bracket for engaging or disengaging the door with or from the U-shaped door latch portion and methods of using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Thomas Matthew Gunkler
  • Patent number: 11486564
    Abstract: An optical light source cover configured to be fixed at a reaction bearing, the optical light source cover including an interlocking element configured to attach the optical light source cover at the reaction bearing, wherein the interlocking element includes an interlocking arm, wherein the interlocking arm extends from the optical light source cover in an insertion direction of the optical light source cover into the reaction bearing and includes a free end that is in front in the insertion direction and a connected end that is connected to the optical light source cover, wherein the interlocking element includes a first interlocking hook that is wedge shaped, wherein a first wedge tip of the first interlocking hook is oriented in a direction towards the free end of the interlocking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BJB GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Baumeister, Philipp Henrici, Bastian Hunecke
  • Patent number: 9840013
    Abstract: A cutter apparatus includes a housing and a blade holder coupled to the housing, wherein the housing includes a distal portion (e.g., a blade storage compartment) that is both slidably and pivotally coupled to portions of the housing and configured to serve as a cover for the blade holder. The cutter apparatus can also include a cover release device configured to facilitate repositioning the cover between a locked position at which the cover is secured to the housing and a released position at which at least a portion of the cover is free to pivotally reposition away from the housing providing access to the blade holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: PACIFIC HANDY CUTTER, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Garavaglia, Brandon L. Spoelstra, Markus E. Gropl, Mark Marinovich
  • Patent number: 8752911
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an enclosure having exterior walls defining an interior space; a top (10) having an interior surface (12) and a plurality of coupling clips (30) extending from the interior surface; and a base (5) having an inner surface (14). The base has a plurality of clip receiving members extending from the inner surface and reversibly engaging the coupling clips to secure the top to the base. The base further includes at least one aperture (7) adapted to permit a release fixture (50) having a plurality of decoupling members (40) extending from a plate (51) to simultaneously disengage the clip receiving members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: William Phillip Dernier, Eddie Bryant, William Bose
  • 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: 8182000
    Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for securing a storage compartment door within a vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a mounting bracket, a handle, and an undivided, one piece latching member. The latching member includes a main body portion, a first pliable leg portion, a second pliable leg portion, a first post portion, and a second post portion. The latching member is in a relaxed position when the handle is in the latched position and a flexed position when the handle is in the unlatched position. The handle includes at least one abutment member for displacing the main body portion of the latching member as the handle is pivoted from the latched position to the unlatched position. Displacement of the main body portion causes the first and second pliable leg portions to resiliently retract which retracts the first post member and the second post member from extended post positions to retracted post positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Mitchell, Jr., James Scott Simon, Stacey H. Raines
  • Publication number: 20110115348
    Abstract: A locking enclosure includes a base, a cover mounted on the base, and two locking members assembled on the cover. A plurality of supporting recesses and two supporting portions are defined in the base. A plurality of barbs are formed on the cover to match with the supporting recesses, and two elastic arms are assembled on the cover to engage with the supporting portions, whereby the cover is restricted to move relative to the base, and is secured on the base. The locking members each comprise a resisting portion abutting a corresponding elastic arm. The resisting portion can be operated to make the elastic arm disengage from the supporting portion, to remove the cover from the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (henZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHANG-ZHENG XU, YANG-MING LIN, HSUAN-TSUNG CHEN, GUANG-YAO LEE
  • Patent number: 7243462
    Abstract: An access door has a rectangular outer frame adapted to be set in a wall and having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides defining four corners and a rectangular inner frame congruent to the outer frame, having longitudinal and transverse sides and four corners, and dimensioned to fit within the outer frame. Hinges at corners at ends of one of the longitudinal sides hold the inner frame in the outer frame and allow pivoting of the inner frame in the outer frame generally about the one longitudinal side. Two transversely effective spring latches are provided at the other longitudinal side near ends thereof between the inner and outer frames, and two longitudinally effective spring latches are provided at the transverse sides near the other longitudinal side between the inner and outer frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Knauf Gips KG
    Inventor: Günter Langenhorst
  • Patent number: 7082036
    Abstract: A bezel mounting assembly includes a bezel (10), a front panel (30), and a latch (50). The bezel includes a pair of first catches (111) extending therefrom. The front panel includes a pair of first slots (35). The latch includes a pair of second slots (55) and a pair of tabs (551) extending from an edge of the second slots. A resilient member (70) attaches the latch to the front panel. When the bezel is attached to the front panel, the first catches are extended through the first and the second slots to engage with the second tabs. Simultaneity, the latch is moved with the catches abutting and applying a pushing force on the second tabs. The catches ride over and engage with the second tabs. Thus the bezel is secured to the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Lung Cheng, Shu-Gang Shi, Ying-Tong Yang, Zhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 7044509
    Abstract: An elongated latch bar is slidably carried in a passageway through a bolt housing and is extendable into an aligned passageway of a keeper. The extended end of the latch bar carries a transverse cavity for receiving a cross-latch. The keeper carries the cross-latch in a suitable position to engage and lock the latch bar to the keeper when the latch bar when it is suitably inserted and positioned in the keeper. The cross-latch carries narrow operator that extends across the keeper passageway to an outside location and allows the cross-latch to be manually depressed. The latch bar has a forked end that creates a slot leading to the cavity. The slot is sized to allow passage of the operator but not the cross-latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Michael B. Radel
  • Patent number: 6808239
    Abstract: Casing, in particular plastic casing (1; 101; 201; 301) of a hand-held electronic apparatus, having a first and a second casing shell (3, 5; 103, 105; 203, 205; 303, 305) and connecting means pressing the first and second casing shells against each other along the contact region, the connecting means having at least one holding element (17), arranged on the first casing shell (5), for a separate locking element (7; 107a, 107b; 207; 307) and at least one hook element (13) arranged on the second casing shell (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Bader
  • Patent number: 6779681
    Abstract: A storage unit is disclosed. The storage unit includes a base having a rim, a cover movable between a closed position and an open position, and a latch configured to releasably couple the cover to the base. The latch includes a user interface configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, a post configured to be at least partially disposed in an aperture in the rim when the user interface is in the second position, and an attachment member that extends from the user interface and is configured to provide a fulcrum about which the user interface pivots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew Joseph Doerfler, William Wray Shepler, Matthew Garrett Lerch
  • Publication number: 20040075282
    Abstract: Computer quick release latch. The quick release latch operates to quickly attach and release a portable device from a secure attachment. The latch comprises a spring-loaded attachment mechanism that can be detachably attached to a bottom surface of the portable device. The latch also comprises a release handle that is captured by the attachment mechanism. The release handle has profiled edges and movement of the release handle in any direction within a release plane causes the profiled edges to release the attachment mechanism from the portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Ira Silverman, Vadim Pichahchi, Stanislav Moiseyenko
  • Patent number: 6715805
    Abstract: A locking device having a lock latch (5) which is movable between a first protruded lock position and a second withdrawn position. The locking device has an arm (7) and a flange (10). The arm (7), the flange (10) and the lock latch (5) are arranged in a way that the arm (7) turns backwards against action of a resilient force, looked at in relation to the front end of the lock latch, simultaneously as the look latch (5) is moved backwards towards the second position and the flange (10) turns in the same direction as the arm (7) when a pressure is exerted on the side of the arm (7) turned towards the flange (10), and that the arm (7) and the flange (10) turn forward and the lock latch (5) is moved forward towards the lock position during action of the resilient force when the pressure on the arm (7) decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Göran Ågren
  • Patent number: 6676177
    Abstract: A quarter turn latch for joining a cover to a housing of an enclosure enables a technician to lock the enclosure by simply slamming the cover shut. The latch also enables a technician to unlock the enclosure by rotating the shaft by a quarter turn. The latch includes a shaft and a clasp. The shaft includes a head and a tail. The tail includes peripherally alternating sets of longitudinally spaced teeth and tail cam surfaces. Each tooth has a shoulder facing the head of the shaft and a tooth cam surface. The perimeter of a cross section of each tail cam surface is arcuate. The clasp includes pawls. When the tail is inserted into the clasp, each pawl is in contact with the tail cam surface, the tooth cam surface, or the shoulder. The latch prevents unauthorized access to the enclosure by requiring specific tools to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bassel H. Daoud, David S. Kerr, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Patent number: 6572156
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an enclosure includes a top housing member and a bottom housing member having at least one latch portion. The top housing member includes at least one top housing deflecting tab portion for deflecting the latch portion. The bottom housing member includes at least one bottom housing retaining tab portion. The top housing deflecting tab portion is slidably engaged with the bottom housing retaining tab portion to secure the top housing member to the bottom housing member and to prevent movement of the top housing member relative to the bottom housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin J. Schechtel, William L. Bollig
  • Patent number: 6478346
    Abstract: A snap closure is provided for the detachable securement of a housing cover on a housing of a manually-guided implement, especially to secure an air filter cover that covers an air filter of an internal combustion engine for driving a tool of the implement. At least one snap hook is provided on one of the components that are to be secured together, namely the cover and the housing. The snap hook is provided on an end of an elastically deflectable leg that is disposed on the one component. The snap hook is tapered in the manner of a detent and when the cover is mounted on the housing the snap hook, accompanied by an elastic return force, is engagable in an undercut provided on the other component. The snap hook is deflectable in or parallel to a surface plane on the one component that carries the snap hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Norbert Veser, Ernst Buck, Peter Bauer, Frank Opelka
  • Patent number: 6418760
    Abstract: A mechanism for converting between rotational and linear movement includes a rotatable hub structure and a striker element having an inboard end and an outboard end. In one form of the mechanism, a pivot/spring structure is positioned to engage a pivot location on the striker element between the inboard and outboard ends of the striker element. The pivot/spring structure provides a deflectable pivot fulcrum which can be deflected from a pivot rest position in response to a deflecting force exerted on the striker element. The hub structure can be engaged with the inboard end of the striker element so that a rotational movement of the hub structure provides a force on the striker element tending to cause the inboard end to pivot about the pivot structure, deflecting the pivot fulcrum such that the outboard end of the striker element moves in a generally axial direction. The mechanism can be used in a latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Ian J. Fettes
  • Patent number: 6373690
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a panel to a chassis of a computer. The apparatus includes a release member movably mounted on a top surface of the chassis and a flange fixedly mounted to a base portion of the chassis. The release member is movable between a static position and a release position. A panel is pivotally attached adjacent to a base portion of the chassis. The panel is movable between a closed position and an open position. A resilient retention member is attached to the panel. The retention member is engaged with the flange when the panel is in the closed position. The release member resiliently deflects the retention member from engagement with the flange when the release member is moved from the static position toward the release position to allow the panel to be moved from the closed position to the open position. The panel can be accurately and consistently aligned and attached to the chassis of the computer system after each removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Eugene Buican, Greg George
  • Patent number: 5997115
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis and an access panel mounted on the chassis. The panel includes multiple spaced apart interlocks for mounting the panel on the chassis. A latch is operably connected to the chassis to engage and release the interlocks. The latch includes a main body, a latch member extending from each opposite end of the body for engagement with the interlocks, a single point pressure member and a pair of cantilevered support members extending from the single point pressure member. The support members include extensions for engaging the chassis and retaining the single point pressure member and each latch member in a raised position relative to the chassis for engagement with the interlocks. The application of pressure to the single point pressure member, moves the device to release the latches out of engagement with the interlocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Radloff, Stephen Cook
  • Patent number: 5931513
    Abstract: A housing assembly includes a housing (100) and a door (102). The housing has a first opening (115) and includes a selective call receiver (200). The door is coupled to the housing for gaining access to the selective call receiver by way of the first opening. The door is slidable between first and second positions with the housing, wherein the first position the door is latched, and wherein the second position the door is unlatched and pivots to gain access to the first opening. The door includes a plurality of springless latches (107), wherein each springless latch comprises at least two arms (106), each arm having an external detent (108), and an internal detent (110). Additionally, the housing includes a corresponding snap post (112) for latching to a corresponding springless latch in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola
    Inventor: Brian V. Conti
  • Patent number: 5673573
    Abstract: An anti-tamper device for use with apparatus of the type having a slot for receiving a component needed in use. In one embodiment, a first portion is insertable into the tape receiving slot of a cassette player mounted in a vehicle. When inserted, the portion lies in front of the tape player. The first portion has sprung projections which protrude outwardly therefrom and prevent the device as a whole from being withdrawn from the cassette player when inserted therein. To insert the device the first portion is simply pushed home into the cassette receiving slot. In order to remove the device from the cassette player, the projections must first be compressed by sliding them beneath the first portion. The projections are connected to a slider which is moved to and fro by turning a key in a lock barrel. The device is secured to the steering wheel of a vehicle by a cable having a loop at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Terence R. Green
  • Patent number: 5419435
    Abstract: A sharps disposal system providing a frame and a container having an opening and being selectively mountable to the frame. A lid is pivotally attached to the frame and is selectively movable into engagement with the container when the container is mounted to the frame. Engaging the container with the lid closes the opening except for an aperture through which sharps can be inserted into the container but which impedes insertion of human hands. Engaging the container with the lid also impedes removal of the container from the frame. The system employs a means for selectively locking the lid into engagement with the container. The system further provides a cover for selectively sealing said opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Medx, Inc.
    Inventors: Ugo P. Perzan, Joe D. Hutto, Richard Blanchette
  • Patent number: 5401066
    Abstract: A fluid flow connector with a structure for preventing over-torquing of the coupler and the nipple during engagement and furthermore, preventing inadvertent disengagement of the coupler from the nipple which might otherwise occur upon oppositely directed rotation of an outer shell of the coupler. The nipple is provided with a shoulder which, upon full engagement between the coupler and the nipple to a desired level of torque between the threads thereof, abuts the end of the outer shell. Subsequent further rotation of the shell causes relative travel between the outer shell and the coupler threads until the dowel disengages the first set of teeth whereby any further rotation of the outer shell will not impart a rotational force or torque to the coupler threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Preece Incorporated
    Inventor: Ralph Remsburg
  • Patent number: 5375708
    Abstract: A hard clear hangable package, locking cover and key for use in retail merchandising of video games and the like to further reduce the amount of business losses attributable to theft. The device includes a locking cover with an outer lip that prevents opening of the container without the precise key. It also includes a clamping member attached to a key base that automatically rotates into engaging position allowing the box to be removed from the locking cover, permitting the contents of the security box to be removed. The device firmly contains video games or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Empak, Inc.
    Inventor: Boyd Wittman
  • Patent number: 5348356
    Abstract: A hidden, releasable latch for a molded plastic enclosure having a first panel abutting a second panel along a seam. The first panel has a pressure bump on its inside surface a first distance from the seam, and a projecting tang on its inside surface at a further distance from the seam. The second panel has a tab from its inside surface projecting inside, parallel and spaced from the inside surface of the first panel, the tab contacting the pressure bump, and capturing the projecting tang in a hole within the tab. The tab is flexible enough for slight deflection during the capturing of the tang by the hole during an assembly process, and the releasing of the tang by movement of the tab from pressure from the pressure bump during a disassembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: James I. Moulton
  • Patent number: 5253142
    Abstract: The body structure of a pocket computer includes a fastener mainly an elastic fastening element of a multi-layered construction accommodated in an insertion space located at a front edge of the main body housing. A simplified telephone input jack is constructed in the side wall of the pocket computer main body. The association of the main body and the cover body of the pocket computer is accomplished by a pivotal shaft, which is characterized in that it is provided with a delay swivel device permitting the communication cables linking the main body with the cover body to be less vulnerable to bending caused by the actions of opening and closing the cover body and that it includes indicator lights serving to show the operating status of electronic functions of the computer. The keyboard includes entry keys which are securely coupled with the housing plate of the keyboard by slide keys and slide key mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Cal-Comp Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Phil Weng
  • Patent number: 5209016
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a lid disposed rotatably on an opening of a box body selectively in two directions includes a pair of operating members independently movably supported one each at opposite ends of the lid, a spring member having a pair of rotary shafts disposed on an inner side of the lid so as to advance or retreat under the influence of resilient pressure of the spring member, two pairs of storage mouths formed in the edge of the opening of the box body at four corner portions thereof, two pairs of lock members pivotally supported inside the storage mouths for detachably supporting the rotary shafts above the storage mouths, and two pairs of rotary gear mechanisms attached to the lock members so that each pair of rotary gear mechanisms are interconnected to each other and the two pairs of rotary gear mechanisms are interlocked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5195272
    Abstract: A switching device includes operating members independently movably supported at opposite sides of a lid, a spring having a pair of rotary shaft parts disposed on the inner side of the lid so as to advance or retreat under the influence of the resilient pressure of the spring, and lock members disposed on opposite sides of an opening of a box body so as to detachably fasten the rotary shaft parts thereto. The rotary shaft parts are connected to the operating members so as to urge the operating members outwardly away from each other by virtue of the resilient pressure of the spring and are removed from the lock members by depressing motion the operating members. Owing to the construction, the lid is ensured to produce an infallible shut state on the box body by bringing the rotary shaft parts into engagement with the lock members due to the resilient pressure of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Kato Hatsujo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 5188403
    Abstract: A catch for a door latch or the like for use with a strike for latching a door. The catch is formed of a single piece, typically a molding or a stamping, with a base for mounting at a door or door frame, a lever fixed to the base, and a tang carried on the lever. The tang has a normal position and a latching position with the lever functioning as a spring to urge the tang to the normal position, and with the tang being deflectable to the latching position for passing over a ramp of a strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: The Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5119980
    Abstract: A closure for the two hinged bars of a vehicle roof-mounted ski mount is formed from a rotatable catch or pawl secured to one of the bars and a toothed harpoon extending from the other. Engagement and disengagement of the pawl with the teeth on the harpoon is governed by a manually operated button, the pawl being spring-biased toward engagement with the harpoon. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the pawl and button are part of a removable insert which fits into an end cap on the upper bar of the ski mount, and the spring is a spring clip which holds the insert in place in the end cap while permitting it to rotate to engage or disengage the pawl with the harpoon which is on the lower bar, the spring clip also urging the pawl into engagement with the harpoon as well as immobilizing the harpoon once it has been engaged by the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Yakima Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Grim, Joseph J. Settelmayer
  • Patent number: 5116099
    Abstract: A vehicle seat armrest assembly (10) includes a lower bin (18) defining a storage compartment (20) and an upper cover (22) hinged to the bin (18) for pivotal movement between a closed position covering the bin (18) and an open position opening the storage compartment (20). A bracket (26) supports the lower bin (18) and provides rotation of the bin (18) between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position. A latch (40) latches the cover (22) to the bin (18) in a latched position and allows opening of the cover (22) in an unlatched position. A lock (42) interacts between the bracket (26) and the latch (40) to maintain the latch (40) in the latched position in response to pivotal movement of the bin (18) from the horizontal use position to the vertical storage position. The lock (42) includes a cam (60) which transfers the rotational movement of the bin (18) to linear movement of a controller (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Lear Seating Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Kwasnik, David J. Harrell
  • Patent number: 5077993
    Abstract: A lock for electrical power meter boxes has a solid rod with a flared head to engage spring steel blades to lock it. The lock has a spring loaded sleeve within a housing, which can be permanently mounted either inside or outside a meter box. The spring loaded sleeve is maneuverable by an unlocking tool to open and release the spring sheet blades from the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Houston Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard W. Blair, Jack R. Grant
  • Patent number: 5071177
    Abstract: In a cover-frame assembly for a manhole or the like a locking device is provided, which comprises a closing member having at least two horizontal arms and a mounting rod provided with a bearing and actuating device. The mounting rod and the bearing and actuating device are located in a bore having a widened bore portion, whereby a shoulder is formed, on which is supported a bearing surface of the bearing and actuating device. The ends of the arms each project into a guide link, which is shaped on the inner flange of the frame. The guide link has an inclined flank, by means of which the arms are increasingly elastically deformed. In the closed position of the locking device, the arms engage in locking recesses provided on the end of each inclined flank. This leads to a self-closure with pre-tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 5060990
    Abstract: A door latch mechanism, such as for a calculator battery enclosure, has a pair of ridge and groove mating points. The mechanism has a partially engaged position in which only a single ridge engages a groove and a fully engaged position in which both ridges engage grooves. A shock to the calculator, such as by dropping it, will generally not release the mechanism to a disengaged position. Consequently, the batteries will be retained and memory functions thereby preserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Smith, David L. Smith, Tom B. Lindberg
  • Patent number: 5056846
    Abstract: A partition plate, which is used for dividing a luggage compartment of a vehicle, comprises a locking device with which the partition plate is lockably fittable to a luggage floor when either surface of the partition plate is put on the luggage floor. The locking device includes a C-shaped lock spring which nips a projecting pin of the luggage floor to lock the partition plate to the luggage floor. The spring is enlarged in diameter by the pushing of a aliding member of the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5056858
    Abstract: A partition plate in use for a vehicle comprises a locking device with which the partition plate is fixable to a luggage floor of the luggage compartment even when the partition plate is fitted on the luggage floor in a manner that either one of either its right and reverse surfaces contacts the luggage floor. The locking device includes a lock spring having a nipping portion with which a projecting pin is nipped so that the partition plate is fixed to the luggage floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5056955
    Abstract: A locking device for a covering comprised of a frame and a cover includes arms, which are inserted in depressions or bores formed in the frame and/or cover, whereby they undergo elastic deformation and consequently form a frictional engagement with the cover. The free end each of the arms project beyond an inner flange of the frame and form there a positive connection between the arms and the inner flange. This results in a simple, but effective connection between the cover and the frame, without requiring machining of the arms or depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hansruedi Spiess, Francois Galvanetto
  • Patent number: 5050926
    Abstract: A partition plate in use for a vehicle comprises a locking device with which the partition plate is connected to a luggage floor of the luggage compartment even if the partition plate is fitted on the luggage floor with either its right surface or reverse surface. The locking device includes a lock spring having a nipping portion with which a projecting pin is nipped so that the partition plate is fixed to the luggage floor. The nipping portion is enlarged to disengage from the projecting pin when an elongate pushing member is rotated upon rotation of an operating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4912950
    Abstract: A lockable buckle includes a body member, a latch member, and a rotary locking member. The body member includes a pair of locking side slots. The latch member includes a pair of resilient arms having raised tab portions thereon for releasably engaging the opposed locking side slots of the body member. The rotary locking member is disposed in the body member and is adapted for rotation therein between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the raised tab portions are permitted to bend inwardly so as to allow insertion or removal of the latch member from the body member. In the second position, the raised tab portions are prevented from bending inwardly, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the latching member from the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Crowle
  • Patent number: 4881764
    Abstract: A locking device includes a striker and a latch. The striker projects from the back side of an openable wall which is hinged on a housing. The latch is secured to the edge of an opening of the housing so that it faces the striker for engaging with and holding the striker in a snap-engaged state when the openable wall is closed. The latch is rotatably mounted in the housing so that the rotation thereof follows the direction of insertion of the striker into the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takahashi, Haruhiko Watari
  • Patent number: 4714284
    Abstract: The device has a first piece mounted on the frame and a second piece mounted on the leaf (or vice versa). The first piece contains two horns defining two rigid bearing surfaces with a groove in between. The second piece is formed by a base mounted on a leaf (or frame), a flexible arm integral with the base and a catch tenon or latch piece integral with the free end of the flexible arm. At closing, the arm lodges automatically in the groove. The first and second pieces are each composed of two parts of which the first is secured to the frame (or leaf), this first part containing a slide-way (or slide) whereas the second part which contains the locking mechanism has at its base a slide (or cooperating slideway) adapted to the slide-way (or slide) of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Inventor: Marc F. Varlet
  • Patent number: 4709949
    Abstract: A latch device is provided with a stationary cylinder to be fixed on a structure on which a door is hinged and a rod adapted to be driven into the cylinder against the resilience of a spring by a strike on the rear side of the door during the closing of the door, and the rod has the front half thereof formed in the shape of a pair of retention pieces connected separately through hinges of a small wall thickness into the rear half of the rod, so that while the rod is pushed into the stationary cylinder, the inner wall surface of the stationary cylinder will enable the retention pieces to grasp the strike and, while the door is opened, the rod will protrude from the stationary cylinder and slightly push the door open and, at the same time, the retention pieces will release the strike from retention therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Umezawa, Koji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4707004
    Abstract: The device has a first piece mounted on the frame and a second piece mounted on the leaf (or vice versa). The first piece contains two horns defining two rigid bearing surfaces with a groove in between. The second piece is formed by a base mounted on a leaf (or frame), a flexible arm integral with the base and a catch tenon or latch piece integral with the free end of the flexible arm. At closing, the arm lodges automatically in the groove. The first and second pieces are each composed of two parts of which the first is secured to the frame (or leaf), this first part containing a slide-way (or slide) whereas the second part which contains the locking mechanism has at its base a slide (or cooperating slideway) adapted to the slide-way (or slide) of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Inventor: Marc F. Varlet
  • Patent number: 4688836
    Abstract: The device has a first piece mounted on the frame and a second piece mounted on the leaf (or vice versa). The first piece contains two horns defining two rigid bearing surfaces with a groove in between. The second piece is formed by a base mounted on a leaf (or frame), a flexible arm integral with the base and a catch tenon or latch piece integral with the free end of the flexible arm. At closing, the arm lodges automatically in the groove. The first and second pieces are each composed of two parts of which the first is secured to the frame (or leaf), this first part containing a slide-way (or slide) whereas the second part which contains the locking mechanism has at its base a slide (or cooperating slideway) adapted to the slide-way (or slide) of the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Marc F. Varlet
  • Patent number: 4432574
    Abstract: An improved latch assembly is provided wherein the distance that a door may be left open is limited, and wherein there is a flexible elongated arm of a first part which automatically engages a second part being rigid, with the parts mounted on opposed surfaces, one to the door leaf and the other to the door frame. The elongated arm is flexible with and extends perpendicular to its base portion, and is formed with a cylindrical catch member at its outward end, with the arm engaging one of two opposed grooves in the rigid part, with the parts being mounted in parallel or perpendicular disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Marc F. Varlet
  • Patent number: 4293153
    Abstract: A spring steel spring interlocked with a panelboard assembly door by a pull having a leg projecting through the door to engage a passage edge in the spring. When the pull is rotated to open the door the leg moves the spring to disengage a latch adjacent one end of the spring from behind a detent in a frame latch passage. The detent in the frame passage engages the latch to hold the door from rapid opening, if a circuit breaker trips to generate arc gases which exert pressure against the door, but permits separation of the door from the frame and flexure of the door to vent arc gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Harris I. Stanback, Theodore L. Brann, Larry D. Polston
  • Patent number: 4222595
    Abstract: A fastener of the snap fastener type having a base plate with a hollow cap secured to the base plate only by resilient hooked prongs extending through the base plate. A split resilient ring within the cap has opposed projections extending outwardly through the sides of the cap and have cam ends to permit extending the cap through a second plate by camming the projections inwardly until they have passed through the second plate where they spring outwardly to thus fasten the base plate and second plate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: The Parker Pen Co.
    Inventor: Guenther Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4216984
    Abstract: A latching apparatus for cowls on outboard motors which catches and locks automatically, but can be released by simply pushing with one hand. Two sawtoothed semi-rigid mating parts are oriented with leading edges and mating teeth facing in a manner so that they interfere slightly when mated. As the parts approach each other, opposing teeth ride on each other and slip past one after another until all teeth interlock. Release is accomplished by a slight force transverse to the latching motion, thus disengaging the teeth and allowing withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Hofmann, David W. Kusche
  • Patent number: 4189173
    Abstract: A latch for a fire screen folding door assembly having a projecting guide adjacent its inner edge adapted to move in a horizontal guideway in a supporting frame. A latch element carried by the frame is movable selectively to a first position in the path of movement of the guide and to a second position out of the path of movement of the guide. The latch element is resiliently held in its first position until the guide engages the latch element and moves the same to its second position. A recess in the latch element receives the guide upon movement of the door assembly to extended, closed position permitting the latch element to return to its first position and thereby secure the door assembly in closed position. An actuator is connected to the latch element for moving the latch element to a position to release the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: Matthews Machine Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Joe D. Rester