Lost Motion Connections Patents (Class 292/DIG62)
  • Patent number: 6135514
    Abstract: Latch release mechanism for a latch of the lid of a trunk storage compartment of an automobile. A detent retains the latch in a latching position holding the lid closed. The detent can be withdrawn from the latch-retaining position enabling the latch to be moved by a spring to the release position permitting the lid to be opened. A cable within the trunk can be used to withdraw the detent. An electric charge storage device is charged in response to movement of the trunk lid from closed to open position. A light-emitting device is energized by the electric charge storage device to illuminate the trunk for a period of time after the trunk lid is closed to make it easy for a person to find and operate the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Kowalewski, Daniel William Danko
  • Patent number: 6109670
    Abstract: A secondary release mechanism for a vehicle hood latch has a pivotally mounted secondary latch which is rotatable between a latching position and a unlatching position and biased towards the latching position. A pivotally mounted release arm is rotatable between a retracted position, a deployed position and a releasing position and biased to the standby position. A pivotally mounted release lever is rotatable between a release position, a standby position and a retract position. The release lever has a cam surface for engaging a hood of the vehicle as the hood moves between the fully latched condition and a secondary latched condition responsively rotating the release lever between the standby position and the retract position. The release lever operably engages the secondary latch as the release lever rotates from the standby position to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Kris Tomaszewski, Grzegorz Baniak
  • Patent number: 6068308
    Abstract: A latching assembly that requires three distinct operations must be performed with two hands to allow the handle of the latch assembly to be rotated to unlock a door from a door frame. The assembly provides substantial flexibilities in installation. A base portion having a sleeve which defines an aperture is secured to a door and receives a handle portion with a shaft attached, the shaft extending through the aperture in the sleeve. Cooperative rotation restriction portions on the handle and on the base portion restrict the rotation of the handle to a limited range. The limited rotation range may be altered by selectively positioning a key guide in one of the cooperative rotation restriction portions. A first release mechanism comprising a trigger portion which extends from the handle and a detent which engages a detent opening in the base portion requires depression of the trigger portion before rotation of the handle to an unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Austin Hardware, Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus Molzer
  • Patent number: 6019402
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt, a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism, an inside lock lever for operating the lock mechanism and a double lock for disabling the inside lock lever. The detent is moved by an intermittent lever that is part of the release mechanism and part of the locking mechanism. A composite lock lever forming part of the lock mechanism moves the intermittent lever back and forth between an unlock position where the intermittent lever drives the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock position where the intermittent lever free wheels with respect to the detent. The intermittent lever is pivotally connected to an unlatching lever of the release mechanism that is operated by inside and outside release levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Donald Michael Perkins, Rita Margarete Paulik, Jerry Paulik, Michael Todd Moury
  • Patent number: 6007118
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a selectively engaged security lock that prevents a vehicle door from being unlatched by an inside door handle. The security lock overrides the door lock when the inside door handle is operated with the security lock engaged so that the vehicle door latch may be unlocked from inside the vehicle easily when the security lock is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 5997055
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a latching element movable between a latched position retaining a door bolt and an unlatched position releasing the door bolt, and a locking pawl engageable with the element and displaceable between a locked position retaining the latching element and an unlocked position freeing the element. A planetary-gear drive has a reversible electric motor, a sun gear rotatable by the motor, a planet carrier, at least one planet gear meshing with the sun gear and carried on the carrier, and a ring gear meshing with the planet gear. A locking lever is displaceable by a locking element and by the planet carrier between a locked position and an unlocked position and a coupling element is displaceable between a coupling position engaged between the locking pawl and locking lever for coupling the locking pawl and lever together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Michael Strathmann
  • Patent number: 5971448
    Abstract: A door lock assembly has a slide pin (9) slidably supported to an door opening lever (4), a first oblong hole (52) formed in a locking lever (5) and inserting the slide pin (9), and a window like opening (31) formed in the lift lever (3), inserting the slide pin (9) and provided with a projection (31a) capable of restricting a slide motion of the slide pin (9), wherein a position of the slide pin (9) with respect to the opening (31) is changed in correspondence to an operation of the door opening lever (4) and the locking lever (5), thereby engaging and disengaging the pawl (7) with the latch (6), and engaging and disengaging a connection between the door opening lever (4) with the lift lever (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Hayakawa, Norikazu Kobayashi, Katsutoshi Fukunaga, Katsuaki Kadoike
  • Patent number: 5956998
    Abstract: A rotatable apparatus includes a pair of rotatable members joined by a stress dissipating structure. The stress dissipating structure can be employed in a gear, sprocket, clutch or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, anti-buckling plates generally spanning between a hub and rim define a hollow cavity. In another embodiment of the present invention, the stress dissipating structure includes a specifically configured sets of nodules moving the hub and rim. An additional aspect of the present invention provides a stress dissipating structure employing various anti-buckling plate attachment constructions. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a uniquely sized and packaged gear, gear housing and/or motor are employed in order to maximize output force per pound of material efficiencies. Another embodiment employs a stress dissipation member in a door lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Paul J. Fenelon
  • Patent number: 5857386
    Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10 and 110) comprising a flexible motion transmitting core element for transmitting motion and a conduit for movably supporting said core element along a longitudinal axis. An adjustment means allows a change in the length of one of the core element and the conduit along the longitudinal axis thereof. The assembly is characterized by the adjustment means including a support member (26, 126) and a rotary member (30) supported by the support member (26, 126) at a support axis for rotation about the support axis in response to the change in the length to thereby minimize the longitudinal length of the adjustment means. A spring (32) interacts between the support member (26, 126) and the rotary member (30) for resisting the rotation of the rotary member (30) relative to the support member (26, 126). A cam element (34) coacts with a cam surface (36) in the rotary member (30) for rotating the rotary member (30) in response to the change in the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: David L. Ruhlman
  • Patent number: 5832758
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for security door assemblies, in particular but not exclusively, to a security door assembly which is fitted temporarily on a building. The locking mechanism for such a security door comprises a locking member movable between a locking state and non-locking state. A lock releasably engagable with the locking member prevents the locking member moving to the non-locking state. The lock mechanism further includes an operating device that is coupled to the locking member by a connecting structure which includes a force limiter. The force limiter limits the force the operating device can apply to the locking member without damage to any of the parts of the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Vacant Property Security Limited
    Inventor: David A. White
  • Patent number: 5771723
    Abstract: A key cylinder device in which, in a locked state, a lock-releasing mechanism is provided so as not to operate even if a cylinder case swings. When a first lever rotates in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the cylinder case, a shaft provided on a second lever extends from a side surface of the second lever and engages with a third lever to move a rod attached to the third lever in a lock-releasing direction. Further, when the first lever does not move relatively with respect to the cylinder case, even if the cylinder case swings, the shaft does not extend from the side surface of the second lever and does not engage with the third lever. For this reason, there is no possibility that the rod attached to the third lever move in the lock-releasing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Itoh
  • Patent number: 5738393
    Abstract: An automotive hood latch includes a striker carried by the hood latch and two separate latching members carried by the vehicle for alternate engagement with the striker, one of the latching members serving as a safety. The separate latching members are sequentially operated in the unlatching direction by double reciprocation of a remote cable operator. The motorist can release the hood from both latching members without leaving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yi J. Chao
  • Patent number: 5730028
    Abstract: A linkage has a coupled state, where actuation of a multi-functional apparatus causes an interference device to move between the locked position and the unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the interference device does not allow a handle for opening door latches to actuate, and in the unlocked position the interference device allows the handle to actuate. The linkage further has a decoupled state, where actuation of the manual actuation device causes the decoupling linkage to uncouple from the multi-functional apparatus, and causes the interference device to move between the locked and the unlocked positions without moving the multi-functional apparatus. This arrangement allows for a manual override of the power liftgate lock multi-functional apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Winston Maue, Shawn P. Slusser
  • Patent number: 5727824
    Abstract: A door lockset, mounted on a door having an inside and outside face, has a latch bolt operated by a lever handle from the inside and by a grip handle thumb lever from the outside, the latch bolt being biased to an extended position except when retracted by operation of the handles, the inside lever handle being mounted in a parked position on a spindle connected to a lever return mechanism and having a latch operator attached thereto. An improvement in combination with the lockset, provides a mechanism for operating the latch bolt by the thumb lever without moving the inside lever from the parked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: William D. Smith, Bella Rubin, Beat Heri
  • Patent number: 5657653
    Abstract: In a door lock having a latch bolt selectively retractable by a rotatable driver spindle, the driver spindle being rotatable by operation of an outside manual lever associated with an outside chassis assembly or by operation of an inside manual lever associated with an inside chassis assembly, a lost motion mechanism is provided between the driver spindle and the inside chassis assembly so that rotational movement of the driver spindle is not transmitted to the inside lever. An interconnect mechanism connects the inside lever to a deadbolt operating assembly whereby operation of the inside lever retracts both the latch bolt and the deadbolt. The lost motion mechanism includes a driven spindle located within an axially extending bore in a spindle core and having an opening for receiving an end of the driver spindle, the spindle core being mechanically linked to the inside lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: Frederick M. Hensley, Gary A. Dehn, Dario L. Pompeii, Jeffrey G. Towles
  • Patent number: 5527074
    Abstract: Disclosed is a door lock for locking a double-swinging type fire protection door. The door lock has a safety device controlled by a melting heat sensitive element to lock the spring bolt of the lock bolt in the locked position when the ambient temperature is sharply increased due to a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Inventor: Wen Tien Yeh
  • Patent number: 5472065
    Abstract: A linear drive, particularly useful for locking or unlocking a door lock mechanism or the like permits manual operation by providing an output shaft that can move freely regardless whether the output shaft is in extended or retracted positions without back driving the motor. The output shaft is coaxially slideably situated over a screw which moves a nut that is theadingly engaged therewith and moves inside the output shaft along the axial direction of the screw. The output shaft is not threadingly engaged with the screw. The output shaft thus is freely movable relative to the screw, which results in essentially zero back drive of the screw and the motor. To provide for manual operation, the nut is automatically moved back to its neutral position every tie the output shaft is extended or retracted by a torsion spring or the like which can store energy therein. Whenever the motor is operated to drive the screw, the spring gear is also rotated, which causes the spring to store energy therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventor: William E. Vergin
  • Patent number: 5382060
    Abstract: Latching apparatus for first and second adjacent swinging doors prevents locking of the first door unless the second door is latched and prevents unlatching of the second door unless the first door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Amerock Corporation
    Inventors: James F. O'Toole, William M. Martz, Todd W. Bruchu, Scott R. Beske
  • Patent number: 5371970
    Abstract: A garage door includes a door connector assembly in operative communication with a garage door carriage track, wherein the connector assembly mounts a plurality of cables, wherein each cable is mounted along the garage door and secured to a respective latch assembly, whereupon lifting of the door removes latch bolts from an underlying garage floor, whereupon closure of the door directs the latch bolts into the garage floor, and the door connector assembly includes biasing spring structure to bias the door into communication with the garage floor to maintain the latch bolt positioning within the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Mark Ganikon
  • Patent number: 5370428
    Abstract: A door- or window sash which is pivotable relative to a door- or window frame between open and closed positions can be releasably affixed to the frame in the closed position in response to turning of a handle which can shift an elongated carrier relative to the frame between two spaced-apart end positions. The carrier supports a series of longitudinally spaced-apart projections each of which fully engages a complementary retainer on the sash during different stages of movement of the handle from one end position to the other end position. The arrangement may be such that the projection nearest to the handle is first to engage the complementary retainer on the sash, that the projection which is adjacent the nearest projection is next to engage the corresponding retainer, and so on. A safety device can be provided to releasably lock the carrier in the other end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Wilhelm Weidtmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Dreifert, Erhard Kuhnt
  • Patent number: 5362116
    Abstract: A self latching device is disclosed which is arranged to latch in a predetermined position, two members which are otherwise movable relative to each other. The device comprises a latch arm arranged to be mounted to one of the members and which is movable between a latched and a retracted position , and a retaining element incorporating a permanent magnet arranged to be mounted to the other member. The latch arm is spring biased into the retracted position but, when in the predetermined position, is caused to move by the magnetic field generated by the magnet into the latched position wherein any substantial relative movement of the two members is prevented by the latch arm engaging the retaining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Inventors: David Doyle, Neil Dunne
  • Patent number: 5351512
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking and unlocking one or more storage compartments in a truck service body includes a channel assembly that is slidably secured to the service body by at least one channel support. A rod assembly having an L-shaped locking bracket is slidably secured to the service body by a plurality of rod supports. The rod assembly passes through the channel assembly. A handle for manually moving the rod assembly between a locked position and an unlocked position is included. The handle is rigidly secured to the channel assembly and extends outside of the service body. The handle is adapted for coupling to the service body by a manual locking mechanism. An electro-mechanical actuator is coupled to the rod assembly for moving the rod assembly between its locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Reading Body Works
    Inventor: Daniel Pearlman
  • Patent number: 5340171
    Abstract: A door latch control apparatus for use on a panic exit door allowing the door to be unlatched either manually or electrically is disclosed. Manual latch retraction is accomplished by pushing inwardly a push bar. Electrical latch retraction is accomplished by energizing a solenoid. A unique linkage system is provided to allow for the independent operation of the manual and electrical latch retraction. The apparatus also provides for the door to be dogged, i.e., securing the latch in the unlatched position, either manually or electrically. Manual dogging may be accomplished with the use of a fail safe dogging mechanism. Electrical dogging is accomplished by leaving the solenoid energized and thus the latch retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Republic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren E. Slaybuagh, James M. Huffman
  • Patent number: 5267457
    Abstract: An improved double latch dead bolt lock operating mechanism wherein the dead bolt has a keyway engaged by a key for guiding the latching and unlatching movement of the dead bolt but allowing vertical movement of the dead bolt for accommodating any undesired engagement of the operating cam with an improper portion of the dead bolt. The dead bolt is resiliently urged vertically toward the operating cam to return the dead bolt to its normal vertical position after the cam to passes that improper portion of the dead bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Juralco, Inc.
    Inventors: Birk Sorensen, Kent Martins
  • Patent number: 5244238
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for windows having upper and lower sashes slidably disposed in a window frame. The mechanism has three modes, that is a locked mode, an unlocked mode and an auxiliary mode. In the locked mode at least one sash clamp mounted on a transverse rail of one sash engages a cooperating receiving element mounted to the adjacent transverse rail of the other sash, whilst a spring-biased pawl projects into a guide groove in the window frame. In the unlocked mode the sash clamp disengages the receiving element to allow the sashes to be slid relative to each other. In the auxiliary mode the spring-biased pawl is withdrawn from the guide groove to permit the sash to be moved transversely for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Fix-Abloy AB
    Inventor: Per O. Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 5228730
    Abstract: A conversion apparatus has a magnetic latching solenoid equipped with a special plunger shaft and piston mechanism which can move independently of the plunger, allowing mechanical locks to operate with momentary battery power. The plunger shaft is bored to accept the piston which consists of an inner shaft and a locking pin. The locking pin and inner shaft are secured to the plunger shaft with a light spring. With this mechanism, the operation of locking and unlocking is complete, regardless of readiness of the locking device, since the locking pin will move to the intended position of locking/unlocking after momentary prevention such as premature twisting of the lock knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Security People, Inc.
    Inventors: Asil T. Gokcebay, Mustafa Gunan
  • Patent number: 5184852
    Abstract: A rod casing for activating vertically arranged latch bolts, the casing and latch bolts arranged in an active stile of a door and engageable to a door frame. The rod casing provides a vertically slidable actuator cam engageable by both a lock/unlock actuator and a delatch or dogging actuator. The lock/unlock actuator and the delatch actuator are rotatably mounted upon a spindle piece which itself is rotatable by a user such as by a key-activated lock cylinder. The lock/unlock actuator when rotated slidingly abuts the actuator cam and drives the actuator cam vertically upward to cause unlatching of the latch bolts. The delatch actuator, upon rotation of the spindle piece in an opposite direction underlies the actuator cam and dogs the actuator cam in its vertically risen position. To deactivate the delatch actuator, the lock/unlock actuator can be rotated to interfere and displace the delatch actuator to release the actuator cam from the dogging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc., Builders Brass Works Division
    Inventor: James O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5161837
    Abstract: A rod casing for activating vertically arranged latch bolts, the casing and latch bolts arranged in an active stile of a door and engageable to a door frame. The rod casing provides a vertically slidable actuator cam engageable by both a lock/unlock actuator and a delatch or dogging actuator. The lock/unlock actuator and the delatch actuator are rotatably mounted upon a spindle piece which itself is rotatable by a user such as by a key-activated lock cylinder. The lock-unlock actuator when rotated, slidingly abuts the actuator cam and drives the actuator cam vertically upward to cause unlatching of the latch bolts. The delatch actuator, upon rotation of the spindle piece in an opposite direction underlies the actuator cam and dogs the actuator cam in its vertically risen position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Thomas Industries Inc., Builders Brass Works Div.
    Inventor: James O'Brien, II
  • Patent number: 5154457
    Abstract: A vehicular door lock device having a latch and ratchet mechanism comprises a sill knock lever connected to a lock button on a door interior so as to change its position between the locked one and the unlocked one, a key lock lever connected to a key cylinder of the door and to the sill knob lock lever through lost-motion, an actuator changing the position of the sill knob lock lever to its unlocked one and the locked one, an opening lever connected to the door opening handle, and an operating rod connected to the sill knob lock lever and the opening lever. A body of the lock device has a swelled portion formed on its rear side in order to define a guide groove a striker fixed to the car body proceeds therethrough. The key lock lever is rotatably installed in a room exterior side of a central line of the body and the sill knob lock lever is placed at a side of the key lock lever and at a room interior of the central line of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5123687
    Abstract: A grip control for a handle for unlocking vehicle doors, which handle in a rest position can be retracted flush with an outer contour in a recess of the vehicle door. The handle can be moved in a controlled manner out of the recess into a ready position for opening the vehicle door. Subsequently, the handle can be pivoted out further counter to a spring force with actuation of a lock unlocking device. The grip control includes two pivot levers which are articulated at one side fixed to the door, and on the other side are connected in an articulated manner to the handle. When the pivot levers are pivoted in a controlled manner, they displace the handle into a ready position parallel with the outer contour of the door, and they then permit an additional pivoting-out movement of a side of the grip counter to the force of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Peter Pfeiffer, Gerhard Honer, Gerald Herzl
  • Patent number: 5118146
    Abstract: The lock device for locking a striker pin is shown, which comprises a base plate to which a latch plate is pivotally connected. The latch plate is formed with a latching notch. The latch plate can assume a full-latch position wherein the latching notch fully latches the striker pin, a half-latch position wherein the latching notch incompletely latches the striker pin and a release position wherein the latching notch fully releases the striker pin. A first spring is used for biasing the latch plate to pivot toward the release position. A locking plate is pivotally connected to the base plate and has a pawl portion which is engageable with the latch plate to provide the latch plate with the full-latch and half-latch positions. A second spring is used for biasing the locking plate to pivot in a direction to achieve the engagement between the pawl portion and the latch plate. A full open lever is pivotally connected to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Watanuki
  • Patent number: 5094486
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for a dead bolt assembly. The lock assembly includes a conventional key actuated cylinder for mounting outside the door for extending and retracting the dead botl between a locked and an unlocked position. An exterior thumb turn assembly is accessible from the exterior of the door and includes a rotatable actuator arm which is connected to a pushing link for pushing the dead bolt from its retracted to its extended position. The exterior thumb turn, however, does not permit the retraction of the dead bolt, but only permits its extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Merle L. Foster
  • Patent number: 5072974
    Abstract: An oven door latching system has a latch bolt with a latch arm at one end and its other end pivotably connected to a lever through a resilient connection. The lever in turn is pivotably coupled to a positioning device which has a positioning element which is reciprocatable between spaced positions. When the positioning element is moved, pivotal motion is imparted to the other end of the lever, and the connection enables pivotal motion of the latch bolt. A solenoid acts on the positioning device to move the positioning element between its stable positions and produces concurrent motion of the lever to enable movement of the bolt between an oven door latching position and an oven door unlatching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventor: John R. Henne
  • Patent number: 5058937
    Abstract: A flush door latch assembly having a housing with a recess defined therein and a paddle within the recess. Pulling on the paddle causes a cam having a helical cam face to cooperate with a cam follower to cause rotation of a pivot plate that retracts the plunger bolt and permits a door, hatch or the like having the present door latch assembly to be opened. The plunger bolt travels towards the same side of the latch assembly that the paddle travels towards when the plunger bolt is being retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Tri/Mark Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Miehe, Marvin L. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5052730
    Abstract: A closure locking device for the opening of a self-service device, in particular an automatic teller machine includes a locking flap, the outside of which is indented. The locking flap, pivotable about an axis, is positioned behind a projecting upper wall panel and in front of a recessed wall panel. A gap is created when the locking flap is pivoted, and as the flap opens the width of the gap increases, so that any ice formed is broken up or jammed objects are released. A self-locking latch and actuator for the locking flap uses an actuating lever which is pivotable about an axis. The actuating lever includes a shaped guide slot which is engaged by the actuator. In a first part of the guide slot, no displacement work is performed by the actuator, whereas in a second part, which is positioned at an angle to the first part, displacement work is performed to move the lever and locking flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Bruno Frank, Ulrich Hengstler
  • Patent number: 5037145
    Abstract: Motorized actuator for vehicle door locks e.g. as part of a central locking system has a powered drive input element (20), a drive output element (24) movement of which locks and unlocks the lock, and a clutch element (34) operating to transmit drive to the output element but having a disengaged condition permitting independent (e.g. manual) actuation of the lock. A camming formation (28) of the input element has a formation (34) of the clutch element coacting therewith and the clutch element has another camming formation (36) engaging another coacting formation (38) of the output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Rockwell Automotive Body Components (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven F. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 5029914
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fitting with a handle for operating the lock follower of a lock fitted in a door or the like. The fitting comprises a fixing device for its fixing to the door or the like and for rotary mounting of the handle, which device is passed through by an operating rod mounted without play in the follower and inserted into a receiving opening of the handle. The receiving opening is so formed that it--going from a datum position--transfers directly to the operating rod rotary movements of the handle taking place in a first direction of rotation but is without influence on the operating rod with rotary movements of the handle taking place in the opposite direction of rotation, commencing from the datum position, at least within a predetermined range of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: HEWI Heinrich Wilke GmbH
    Inventor: Willi Hankel
  • Patent number: 5029910
    Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprising a frame, a cooking chamber carried by the frame, a heating unit carried by the frame and being adapted to be actuated to heat clean the chamber, a switch for permitting the heating unit to heat clean the chamber only when the switch is actuated, a movable door carried by the frame for opening and closing the cooking chamber, a movable latch member carried by the frame and being movable between a non-latching position thereof that permits the door to be opened and closed and a latching position thereof that locks the door in its closed position if the door is in its closed position at the time the latch member is moved to the latching position thereof, and a drive unit carried by the frame and being operatively interconnected to the latch member to move the latch member between the positions thereof, the latch member being movable from the non-latching position thereof to a third position thereof by the drive unit when the drive unit tends to move the latch member from the non-la
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: RobertShaw Controls Company
    Inventors: Francis S. Genbauffe, Steven A. Kimmel
  • Patent number: 5004276
    Abstract: An oven door latching system has a latch bolt with a latch arm at one end and its other end pivotably connected to a lever through a resilient connection. The lever in turn is pivotably connected to a positioning device which has a positioning slide reciprocatable in a housing and biased towards the lever. A recessed camming surface in the slide seats a follower arm which is adapted to follow a camming surface therein which define two stable positions for the follower arm which are spaced apart in the direction of motion of the slide and at which the follower arm will seat and releasably lock the slide. When the positioning slide is moved, pivotal motion is imparted to the other end of the lever, and the connecting structure enbables pivotal motion of the latch bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: The Stanley Works
    Inventor: Roger T. Hanley
  • Patent number: 4998758
    Abstract: A remote release actuating system for a deck lid latch includes an actuator lever pivotally mounted on the latch so that pivotal movement on the actuator lever unlatches the latch. At least a first and second remote actuatable actuator means are respectively coupled to the actuator lever by first and second lost motion coupling mechanisms so that the operator actuation of either one of the first and second operator actuatable actuator means pivots the actuator lever about the pivot means to unlatch the latch while the other of the first and second remote actuatable actuator means remains unactuated and free of any backdrive effort being imposed thereon. Accordingly, the effort required to effect a remote release of the deck lid latch is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David Kowalczyk, Ian J. Dow, Carl D. May
  • Patent number: 4978151
    Abstract: The mechanism is configured to operate both a primary latch bolt and secondary latches, and provides for immediate, ready egress for the side of a door to which the mechanism is mounted, but offers high security for the other, outside of the door. The latch bolt is directly controlled by a first linkage, and the secondary latches are directly controlled by a second linkage. During egress, both linkages translate together, via a pin connection. However, a lost motion arrangement prevents retraction of either the bolt, or the secondary latches, if the other is compromised (or operated by a key or combination). From the outside, high security side of the door, the latch bolt and the secondary latches must be retracted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Coleman, Kerry W. Stadtfeld
  • Patent number: 4946211
    Abstract: A latch control arrangement includes a transfer lever coupled to the locking lever of a door latch for movement therewith between locked and unlocked positions to place the door latch in its locked or unlocked conditions. A power operator is coupled to the transfer lever. A manual operator is movable from a neutral position to either of a pair of first operating positions to actuate the power operator. Continued movement of the operator from a first operating position to either of a pair of second operating positions mechanically couples the operator to the transfer lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bela Gergoe, Joseph M. Osenkowski
  • Patent number: 4940266
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a latch device for use in a foldable backrest of an automotive seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Ikeda Bussan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daishiro Sakamoto, Takayuki Mouri, Hisao Tamura
  • Patent number: 4913475
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a security lock mechanism being adapted for both deadlocked and slam-lock operation are disclosed with different combinations of features including a housing, a movable locking bolt, a rotatable cam having a pin engaged with a slot in the bolt and a centering device such as a remote drive unit or double-acting spring mechanism coupled with the rotatable cam by a lost motion coupling for facilitating slam-lock and deadlocked operation of the security lock mechanism. With the remote drive unit being a pneumatically operated cylinder and piston, the piston is preferably of split construction to facilitate overriding operation of the remote drive unit, for example, by a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Phelps-Tointon, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond B. Bushnell, Larry W. Green
  • Patent number: 4893704
    Abstract: A power door lock actuator avoids back driving the motor during manual operation through the use of main and secondary shafts with opposed external threads that cooperate to send a drive member to a neutral position without changing the direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fry, Lowell T. Greentaner
  • Patent number: 4889373
    Abstract: A handle unit for a vehicle door lock system has a lever door handle mounted on a pivot in a housing. The lever can be locked in the position which corresponds to a "door locked" condition. A release button allows the lever to be locked or released so that the lever can be operated. The lever is locked by a detent which captures the lever and can be released by pushing the detent away from the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Marcus J. S. Ward, Peter J. Seymour
  • Patent number: 4880262
    Abstract: A latch is disclosed which is both rugged and economical. The latch includes a flanged housing which acts as a bushing for a journal portion of an operator. The operator includes a narrowed and recessed handle portion. At the inner end of the operator, a generally planar striker is placed to the interior of a door to interact with the frame. The striker rotates with respect to the housing and is limited in rotation by a stop which interacts with the housing. The striker is fixed to the operator by connector means to prevent relative movement between them. The housing is secured to the door by securement means which draws the flange of the housing against the exterior of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Frank A. Mugnolo
    Inventors: Frank A. Mugnolo, Anthony Mugnolo, Joseph A. Calabrese
  • Patent number: 4875723
    Abstract: An actuating means for a vehicle body closure latch includes a driver or passenger controlled electric motor driving a reciprocable rack through a gear train. The rack is resiliently biased to a neutral position and shifts an actuator from neutral to an operating position when the rack is moved from the neutral position to a driving position. The actuator is engageable with a latch operator to control movement of the latch bolt to unlatched position when the actuator moves to an operating position. When the actuator reaches the operating position, the actuator is positively stopped to stall the motor or power operator. When the power is removed from the stalled motor or power operator by the driver or passenger releasing a switch, the bias of the resilient centering means returns the rack to its initial neutral or starting position and back drives the motor through the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Compeau, Mark Manuel, Lloyd W. Rogers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4867495
    Abstract: A door locking device for a vehicle comprising crank shaft means disposed in a door lock-unlocking mechanism for locking and unlocking the door, and having a crank arm portion; and holding means having a recessed portion for receiving the crank arm portion of the crank shaft means, said crank arm portion being associated in operation with the holding means with a play within the recessed portion such that the crank arm portion is rotated in at least a range required to lock and unlock the door when the holding means is restricted in a neutral position. The crank arm portion is rotated between locking and unlocking positions by engaging the crank arm portion with the recessed portion of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 4836588
    Abstract: This automatic double-action casement bolt comprises a pair of locking bars urged by resilient return means to a locking or bolting position in which the bars engage corresponding keepers, these bars being retracted from the keepers and moved to their unbolting position by a set of angular levers fulcrumed at their vertices on the casement bolt casing, each angular lever being connected through one arm to one of the sliding bars, each angular lever comprising, at the end of its other arm, a notch engageable by a catch of at least one control rod movable in a direction across the bars and formed integrally with an operating and control handle urged by other resilient means to its inoperative position, the notch of the other arm of each angular lever being formed in the edge of this arm so as to provide an open clearance of which the bottom constitutes a striking edge adapted, when the casement bolt is unbolted, to co-operate with the catch of the control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Ferco International Usine de Ferrures de Batiment
    Inventors: Philippe Simoncelli, Gerard Prevot