Operator Interrelated With Closure Latch Release Patents (Class 49/279)
  • Patent number: 11305620
    Abstract: The embodiment of the present invention discloses a special lift window for a recreational vehicle (RV), including a door-shaped frame installed on an RV wall; a damping groove for embedding a window body is provided on the door-shaped frame; the door-shaped frame is divided into a window display area and a window concealment area from up to down; a lifter bracket for fixing a window body lifter is disposed in the window concealment area; the window body lifter drives the window body to move reciprocally between the window display area and the window concealment area; and a distance between the lifter bracket and the door-shaped frame is not smaller than a maximum thickness of the window body lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: JIANGSU SANJO INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Heping Xiao
  • Patent number: 11118374
    Abstract: A low profile actuating window lock for casement windows having a longitudinal slot in a sidewall of the casing for the lock, wherein an actuator including a fork component translates within the slot in a direction opposite movement of the handle, the handle pivotable about a restrictor arm that pivots relative to the casing, allowing the handle to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position with low clearance from the window frame. The pivot points of the handle and restrictor arm configuration allow for an over center linkage that prevents back driving the casement window lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Interlock USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Minter
  • Patent number: 10648195
    Abstract: A low profile actuating window lock for casement windows having a longitudinal slot in a sidewall of the casing for the lock, wherein a fork component translates within the slot in a direction perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the handle and the handle rotates along a plane perpendicular to the fork component, the handle pivotable about a restrictor arm that pivots relative to the casing, allowing the handle to rotate fully from the locked position to the unlocked position with low clearance from the window frame. The pivot points of the handle and restrictor arm configuration allow for an over center linkage that prevents back driving the casement window lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Interlock USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Minter, Mathew D. Ruspil
  • Patent number: 10161176
    Abstract: A grain bin cover opening system for remotely and safely opening grain bin covers. The grain bin cover opening system generally includes an upper arm adapted to raise or lower a cover, a lower arm connectable to a fixed bracket on the grain bin. The grain bin cover opening system also may include an actuator operably coupled between the upper arm and the lower arm to move the upper arm away from or toward the lower arm, in order to open the cover. The System may also include an inner stiffener coupled to the lower arm, configured to slide into and out of an outer stiffener coupled to the upper arm to maintain a substantially constant angle between the upper arm and the lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NexGen Innovation LLC
    Inventor: Raymond E. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150082703
    Abstract: A remote control mechanism for a sliding door may include a handle lever installed to rotate about a rotational shaft in a base, connected to a first lever link connected to a door handle, and configured to be rotated by operation of the door handle, a hold lever installed to rotate about the rotational shaft in the base together with the handle lever, connected to a second lever link connected to the door handle, connected to a hold cable of a hold device, and configured to be rotated by operation of the door handle in order to control locking and releasing of the hold device, and an elastic member mounted to the rotational shaft, wherein the elastic member is fixed to the base and connected to the handle lever and the hold lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Kia Motors Corp.
    Inventor: Do Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8984811
    Abstract: A door apparatus includes a door, actuating mechanism, and tie rod mechanism, the actuating mechanism actuating the tie rod mechanism to impart a substantially translating motion to the door. The actuating mechanism can include a drive yoke coupled to the tie rod mechanism with a one-way coupling. The tie rod mechanism can include a primary tie rod coupled to a secondary tie rod coupled to a latch. In another aspect a door apparatus includes an actuator, a first door, a second door, a first linkage assembly coupling the actuator to the first door, and a second linkage assembly coupling the first door to the second door, the actuator configured to activate the first linkage assembly to move the first door, the first door imparting motion to the second linkage assembly to move the second door in a synchronous and opposite motion with respect to the motion of the first door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Greenpoint Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean J. Fairchild
  • Publication number: 20140230330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device to assist the opening of a covering element pivotably mounted relative to an edge of a frame. According to the invention, the assistance cylinder (6) includes a hollow shaft (7), a guide pin (10) inserted in the hollow shaft (7) and comprising at the end thereof opposite the end wall (8) of the hollow shaft (7) a yoke (11), a spring (13) inserted in the hollow shaft (7) surrounding the guide pin (10) and mounted pre-stressed when unloaded between the end wall (4) of the hollow shaft (7) and the yoke (11) of the guide pin (10), and a means (14) secured to the end of the guide pin (10) and engaging with the end wall (8) of the hollow shaft (7) for keeping the pre-stressed spring (13) in the released state thereof. The invention is useful in the field of road systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Alexandre Piermee
  • Patent number: 8733022
    Abstract: An intuitive exterior door handle assembly is provided for a heavy duty power assisted vehicle door for opening and closing the door. The exterior handle assembly pivots about an axis for movement between pushed in and pushed out positions to actuate the power assist unit in opposite directions and thereby close and open the door, respectively. A switch or valve assembly controls actuation of the power assist unit in response to pulling or pushing the door handle so as to open and close the door. An override system is built into the handle assembly to actuate the power unit without pivoting the handle. The assembly and override system mount through a single common hole in the door. In the method of operating the vehicle door, the exterior handle is pushed inwardly to close the door and pulled outwardly to open the door through retraction and extension of the power assist assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Trimark Corporation
    Inventors: Tom F. Sonnek, Lior Tikozenski
  • Publication number: 20140069016
    Abstract: A child safety device for a casement window includes a handle-driven gear reduction assembly having a sensor gear driven at a reduced speed relative to the handle, a sensor arm driven by the sensor gear of the gear reduction assembly and a slider movable between a stop position where rotation of the handle is prevented and a retracted position where rotation is allowed. A spring biases the slider towards the stop position. The slider is held in the retracted position by a catch and is released by the sensor arm to prevent further opening of the window when the sensor gear reaches a predetermined location. The safety device resets when the window is closed and can be overridden to allow full opening of the window by an adult. In the preferred design, the child safety device is a cover that can replace the cover of an existing casement window operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Interlock USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Perry, Peter J. Minter
  • Publication number: 20140060435
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in an inline substrate processing tool are provided herein. In some embodiments, a door for use in an inline substrate processing tool between a first and a second substrate processing module coupled to one another in a linear arrangement may include a reflective body disposed between two cover plates of substantially transparent material, configured to reflect light and heat energy into each of the at first and second substrate processing modules, wherein the door is selectively movable, via an actuator coupled to the door, between an open position that fluidly couples the first and second substrate processing modules to a closed position that isolates the first substrate processing module from the second substrate processing module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID K. CARLSON, MICHAEL R. RICE, KARTIK B. SHAH, KASHIF MAQSOOD, PRAVIN K. NARWANKAR
  • Publication number: 20140059932
    Abstract: A collapsible fuel-door housing is provided and may include a first housing and a second housing slidably attached to the first housing and moveable from a first state overlapping the first housing to a second state adjacent to the first housing. The fuel-door housing may also include a locking mechanism moveable between an unlocked state permitting movement of the second housing into the second state and a locked state restricting relative movement between the first housing and the second housing to maintain the second housing in the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Asif Zia
  • Patent number: 8613160
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle, includes a latch mechanism adapted so as to retain a vehicle door in a closed state relative to a vehicle body, an outside lever provided within a space formed inside of the vehicle door so as to be positioned closer to an interior of the vehicle and linked to an outside handle adapted to be rotatably supported by the vehicle door, a detection switch detecting an operation to the outside handle when the outside lever contacts the detection switch in response to an operation of the outside lever, and a release device releasing a retention of the vehicle door in the closed state by means of the latch mechanism by the release device actuating the latch mechanism when a rotational operation of the outside handle is detected by the detection switch while the vehicle door is in a locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keisuke Matsumoto, Yoshitaka Kato, Toshitsugu Oda, Tomoaki Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8474184
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for opening a door (48) from a remote location including a lever assembly (20) and a pulling line (22), the pulling line (22) having attached thereto a door handle engagement (60), the lever assembly (20) including at least a first guide (40) and a second guide (42) for guiding the pulling line (22) and a mounting apparatus (24) for mounting the lever assembly (20) to or adjacent a door (48), the first and second guides (40,42) being positioned such that when the pulling line (22) is prevented from moving through the first guide (40), pulling on the pulling line (22) acts to cause the lever assembly (20) to apply a force to urge the door to open (48). This apparatus allows an operator to gradually open a door or to apply a suitable force if, for example, the door (48) is stuck in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen Wisbey
  • Patent number: 8418406
    Abstract: In an acceleration and deceleration device which includes at least one energy storage device and a cylinder with at least one piston movably disposed in the cylinder and moved therein by a carrier element and a sliding door including a slidable door panel provided with an acceleration and deceleration device, a second carrier element is provided guiding either the first piston or the second piston for movement in the cylinder so as to control the movement of pistons and of the sliding door near its end positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20130025206
    Abstract: A safety device used together with a push-push type latch device latching and releasing a movable body to a main body by a push operation against an urging force of an urging device, has a circulation cam groove having a reciprocation groove portion and a latch groove portion; a responding member having a pin to trace the circulation cam groove and a balancer disposed therein; and an urging member disposed on the responding member to urge the responding member in a pull-in direction. When the responding member receives a load, the responding member slides against an urging force of the urging member and the pin irreversibly moves from the reciprocation groove portion to the latch groove portion, so that even if the latching of the latch device is released due to the load, the movable body is retained in the fixed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: NIFCO INC.
  • Patent number: 8261491
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a first door skin, a second door skin spaced apart from the first door skin and a door operator disposed between the first door skin and the second door skin. An arm extends from the door operator. The door operator includes a motor moving the arm to move the door between a closed position and an open position and between the open position and the closed position. A current sensor generates a current signal corresponding to the current to the motor. A position sensor in communication with the door arm generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the door relative to the frame. A controller communicates with the sensor and the motor. The controller controls a motor current to the motor in response to the current signal and the position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignees: Globe Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Yulkowski, Gerard Edwards, Steve Gebhart
  • Patent number: 8136299
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding door opening/closing device for a vehicle that applies a sufficient opening/closing drive force to the left and right sliding doors and reduces a force necessary to lock and unlock the latch, despite a simple configuration of the device, and that facilitates the manufacturing process, improves operability and safety, and reduces noise. A lock device, against both sides of which locking portions abut, rotates a columnar permanent magnet so as to form magnetic locking circuits and fixes the locking portions by magnetic forces of the locking magnetic circuits. The rotational operation of the columnar permanent magnet is converted into the downward operation of a latch, and the lowered latch restrains the locking portions with respect to the lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Inage
  • Publication number: 20120036781
    Abstract: A window, which may be a casement window, includes an opening control mechanism for limiting the amount that the sash of the window can be opened to control ventilation and as a child safety feature. In one configuration, the opening control mechanism includes a frame track and release assembly attached to the window frame and a sash arm assembly including an articulating sash arm attached to the sash of the window. The frame track and release assembly has a track and a roller on one end of the sash arm rides along the track as the window sash begins to open. At the end of the track, the roller engages and is restrained by a release arm or stop thereby preventing the sash from being opened further. A lever or a button operatively coupled to the release arm is disposed inside the dwelling and inside an insect screen of the window. The lever can be slid sideways and then pulled back in two distinct motions to release the roller to allow the sash to be opened beyond its restrained position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: David RUNK, Steven Peterson, Derek Gramstad
  • Patent number: 8113602
    Abstract: A locker is provided. The locker comprises a base defining a storage space, a door coupled to the base and rotatable relative to the base between an open position and a closed position, and a latch bar moveable relative to the door between an extended and a retracted position. The latch bar defines at least one guide slot configured to receive a projection for guiding the movement of the latch bar between the extended position and the retracted position. The at least one guide slot is at least partially non-linear. The latch bar is moved to the extended position to secure the door in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Mills Company Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Heimler, Mark A. Thielke, Thomas E. Pelt, Jon Dommisse, Todd Morris, Adam Perry
  • Publication number: 20110167730
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an opening/closing body for automatically opening/closing the opening/closing body. The apparatus includes a displacement body movable and displaced between movable regions including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region, a neutral detecting first switch configured to output a first detection signal in response to passage of the displacement body through a first boundary portion of the neutral region, a neutral detecting second switch configured to output a second detection signal in response to passage of the displacement body through a second boundary portion of the neutral region, and a control unit which, when effecting a neutral returning movement for returning the displacement body from the closing region to the neutral region, stores switchover information indicative of switchover of the first detection signal detected in the course of the latch closing movement and to effect the neutral returning movement in accordance with the switchover information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Eiji Itami, Takeshi Nishikibe
  • Publication number: 20110072725
    Abstract: A latch mechanism including a housing, a first device, a first sliding member, a second sliding member, a stopping portion and a second device is provided. The first and second devices and the first and second sliding members are disposed on the housing, wherein the first sliding member is located between the first device and the second sliding member. The stopping portion is disposed on at least one of the first device and the first sliding member for restricting a sliding distance of the first sliding member relative to the first device. The first sliding member is not allowed to drive the second sliding member to slide relative to the housing along a first direction to disengage the second device when sliding until the first device is detached from the housing and the engagement between the first device and the first sliding member is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lung-Pai Cheng, Yun-Tang Lin, Wei-Hsiang Lu
  • Patent number: 7874609
    Abstract: A powered vehicle door system and method in which a motor-driven door opening and closing mechanism and a motor-driven latching mechanism cooperate to enable the door to open from a latched, fully-closed position with improved noise control and improved smoothness of operation. The door can be a tailgate or a swinging or sliding door, and the opening and closing mechanism is operative to place the door in an over-closed position, thus reducing or eliminating the inherent tension placed upon the latch from the compressive force of the seal interposed between the door and the door frame. Optionally, the door latching mechanism assists the door opening and closing mechanism in placing the door in the over-closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Joseph Whinnery
  • Publication number: 20100154307
    Abstract: A damping assembly is disposed within a housing of a latch assembly to slow rotation of a forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between an over-travel position and a latched position within the housing. The damping assembly includes a first passage and a second passage that are each configured to allow a fluid to flow therein. A restriction passage fluidly connects the first passage and the second passage and increases the pressure of the fluid within the passages. A check valve is configured to allow unidirectional flow of the fluid through the passages. An engagement mechanism is operatively connected to the passages and is configured to engage the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position. The fluid within the passages reacts against the engagement mechanism to slow rotation of the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Meernik, Andrew J. Novajovsky, Warren J. Meidinger, Scott W. Thorpe, James H. Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20100107500
    Abstract: A powered vehicle door system and method in which a motor-driven door opening and closing mechanism and a motor-driven latching mechanism cooperate to enable the door to open from a latched, fully-closed position with improved noise control and improved smoothness of operation. The door can be a tailgate or a swinging or sliding door, and the opening and closing mechanism is operative to place the door in an over-closed position, thus reducing or eliminating the inherent tension placed upon the latch from the compressive force of the seal interposed between the door and the door frame. Optionally, the door latching mechanism assists the door opening and closing mechanism in placing the door in the over-closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph Whinnery
  • Patent number: 7707774
    Abstract: A portable, tactical building door opener comprises a door opening mechanism comprising: a body; a door opening arm pivotally connected to the body at a first end and having a roller for engaging the surface of the door at a second end; and an actuator for rotating the door opening arm with respect to the body, from a ready position in which the roller is not forced against the surface of the door, to a door-opened position in which the roller is forced against the surface of the door to open the door. The actuator is remotely and manually operable. The device further includes a support for temporarily and removably bracing the door opening mechanism with respect to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Allen—Vanguard Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Molnar, Christopher Graham
  • Publication number: 20090199482
    Abstract: A driving device for a hatch in a motor vehicle includes a first fastening element which can be connected to a stationary structural component, a second fastening element which can be connected to a movable structural component, and a housing tube fixed to the second fastening element and extending toward the first fastening element. A spindle drive includes a threaded spindle and a nut fixed in a spindle tube connected to the first fastening element by a bolt, wherein the spindle can be driven in rotation to move the first fastening element axially relative to the housing tube. An elastomeric decoupling element between the spindle tube and the bolt decouples the spindle drive from the first fastening element in order to damp noise and vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Arenz, Andreas Ritter
  • Publication number: 20090165386
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a displacement body operating a latch and being displaced within a moving region including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region positioned between the closing region and the releasing region, the displacement body displacing by an actuator, a control unit controlling the actuator for selectively engaging and disengaging the latch and a striker, a first detection portion outputting a first detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a first border portion of the neutral region closer to the closing region, and a second detection portion outputting a second detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a second border portion of the neutral region closer to the releasing region. The control unit controls a moving position of the displacement body based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Suzuki, Takeshi Nishikibe
  • Publication number: 20090013605
    Abstract: An opening and closing device for lift-up sliding doors and windows is disclosed. The opening and closing device includes a roller unit (10), which removably contacts a rail (203b) of a support frame (203), a pane frame support unit (20), which is provided in a pane frame (205) and moves away from and approaches the roller unit, a handle (5), which is rotatably provided on a leading end of the pane frame, and a lift operating unit (7), which moves the pane frame support unit with respect to the roller unit. The lift operating unit (7) includes a lift operating bar (40), which is movably provided in the leading end of the pane frame and is coupled to the roller unit, and a lift operating gear unit (60). The lift operating gear unit has a drive gear (61), which is coupled to the handle, a driven gear (65), which increases the rotating force of the drive gear, and a rack gear (67), which engages with the driven gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Song-Won Seo
  • Publication number: 20080276536
    Abstract: A device for opening and closing a rear window and/or a trunk of a vehicle is positioned on a periphery of or integrated in a window wiper arm assembly provided on a rear side of the vehicle. The device includes an opening and closing system that comprises a push-button connected to an actuating mechanism. The push-button is integrated on a longitudinal portion of a supporting mount of the window wiper arm assembly, and positioned on a handle integrated on said window wiper arm assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES D'ESSUYAGE
    Inventor: Romain Laurens
  • Patent number: 7422268
    Abstract: Sliding door arrangement for a motor vehicle having a lock arrangement, for fixing a sliding door in opened and closed positions, with a catch lever arrangement with a pivoting catch lever that is movable into engaged and raised states and is pretensioned toward the engaged state. The catch lever arrangement has first and second engagement elements with which the catch lever engageable, the catch lever, when the sliding door is in the opened position, engaging the first engagement element and the catch lever fixing the sliding door in the opened position. The catch lever is engageable with the second engagement element when the sliding door is in the closed position and the catch lever fixes the sliding door in the closed position. The arrangement is such that the pretensioning of the catch lever toward the engaged state rises by the movement of the sliding door into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssyteme GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Markus Kothe, Frank Hoerschgen
  • Patent number: 7114290
    Abstract: A gate opening system which includes a barrier and a barrier mounting adapted to mount the barrier in an open or closed condition, a retention device to secure the barrier in an open or closed condition, a drive element, and an energy transmission system, whereby energy is transferred from the weight of a vehicle and is in turn transmitted through the transmission system to rotate the drive element, causing the barrier mounting to be lifted, the disengagement of the retention device, and the barrier thereby opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Bernhard Stubbe
  • Patent number: 6941701
    Abstract: A side sliding door device is provided for a vehicle that opens and closes an entrance on a side of the vehicle by a sliding door movably supported on a horizontal door rail. The sliding door device includes an automatic locking mechanism that is interlocked with a closing operation of the sliding door, and locks the sliding door in a closed state, and a manual locking mechanism that locks the sliding door in the closed state by a manual operation. The automatic locking mechanism and the manual locking mechanism are secured on a common base plate on a vehicle body and integrated into one unit, so that the manual locking mechanism prevents an unlocking operation of the automatic locking mechanism in a locked state and holds the sliding door in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Inage
  • Patent number: 6837004
    Abstract: A keeper (18) for use in a casement window assembly (10). The keeper (18) comprises a first portion (54), an intermediate portion (58), a second portion (56), and a slot (59). The first portion (54) has at least one aperture (60) adapted to receive a fastener. The first portion (54) also has a mounting surface (70) adapted to engage a portion of the casement window assembly (10). The intermediate portion (58) extends generally perpendicular from the first portion (54). The intermediate portion (58) has a rib (86) that increases the strength of the keeper (18) positioned adjacent an extent of the first portion (54). The second portion (56) extends from the intermediate portion (58) and has a finger (72) adapted to slidingly engage a pin (38) of the casement window assembly (10). The slot (59) is generally defined by the rib (86) and the finger (72) and is adapted to receive the pin (38) to secure the casement window assembly (10) in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventor: Jason Annes
  • Patent number: 6757941
    Abstract: An assortment of decorative gate handle pulling devices which include a right-angled bracket attached to a gate post, a string or cable having one end attached to a gate latch and which extends out the horizontal arm of the bracket, the opposite end of the string being suspended from the end of the horizontal arm and having a decorative gate pull attached thereto. The gate is opened by grasping the decorative pull and pulling on the string to unlatch the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Merry L. Feliz
  • Patent number: 6737823
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of an electric motor driven door or gate operator unit having a speed reducing gear drive mechanism and a brake unit for positive braking of the motor output shaft. A programmable microcontroller is operably connected to a motor drive circuit with interlock relays to energize the drive motor for rotation in opposite directions. The motor drive circuit is interconnected with a motor watchdog circuit to effect motor shutdown if the microcontroller malfunctions and a brake release circuit to prevent motor operation unless the brake is energized. The microcontroller is operable to store door mid-stop time delay values, braking rates, a door position limit overrun signal, a door cycle count, door reversals upon receiving an obstruction detector signal and error codes associated with door operator and control system malfunctions. The brake may be controlled on a variable duty cycle to provide smooth braking action in both directions of movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Brett A. Reed, Robert E. Balli
  • Patent number: 6729072
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock system comprises a sliding vehicle door, having a door path of travel generally translational to a vehicle frame. A drive unit moves the vehicle door along a door path. A drive component communicates the movement from the drive unit to the vehicle door by moving along a drive component path of travel. A latch is selectively actuated to arrest movement of the drive component and the vehicle door by blocking the drive component path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh J. Somnay, Steven J. Engelgau, Shelley Lynn Bess, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Ian Christopher Hoare, Joseph Allen Wilbanks, II, Silvio M. Yamada
  • Patent number: 6724302
    Abstract: An apparatus for shutting off power to a gate motor is disclosed when the gate to which the gate motor is connected is opened or closed manually. In a preferred embodiment a sensor is activated that immediately shuts off power to the gate motor upon insertion of a crank into a receptacle on a pulley of the power driven gate movement system to commence manual opening or closing of the gate with the crank. Rotation of the crank in the appropriate direction either opens or closes the gate. Power is restored to the gate motor when the sensor determines that the crank has been withdrawn from the pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Link Door Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Parsadayan
  • Patent number: 6698300
    Abstract: An actuator unit comprises a worm wheel rotated by a motor and having an output gear, a rotational lever having a toothed portion engaged with the output gear. The output gear has one first motor side gear tooth, two second motor side gear teeth, and two third motor side gear teeth which are shifted in three stages in an axial direction of a wheel shaft. The toothed portion has two first lever side gear teeth engageable only with the first motor side gear tooth, one second lever side gear tooth engageable only with the second motor side gear teeth, and one third lever side gear tooth engageable only with the third motor side gear teeth. The toothed portion does not rotate the output gear when the rotational lever is rotated while the worm wheel is located in a neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Oliver Swan
  • Patent number: 6678601
    Abstract: A powered panel control apparatus and method using an electric motor with a rotatable armature. The control generates time periods for a predetermined amount of angular rotation of the motor armature during one complete rotation. An average time period is computed over a predetermined number of time periods and compared with a threshold time period to determine if an obstacle is present in the path of movement of the panel. Transient counts are accumulated for increasing average time periods over a number of time period samples to detect an obstacle. A threshold for normal noise variations is adjusted upon detection of a rough road condition to compensate for the effect of rough road conditions on the powered panel control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Whinnery
  • Patent number: 6640389
    Abstract: An operating assembly for a casement window includes a folding crank handle and cover assembly that are located on the exterior surface of a trim piece on the sill of the window frame. The crank handle is attached to the drive shaft of the operator of the assembly in such a way that the handle may be folded down into a low-profile position in which the knob of the handle projects into a receiving pocket in the cover. An integral flap on the handle extending beyond the knob covers the pocket when the knob is received therein. Internal detent projections within the pocket yieldably retain the knob so as to provide for snap fit reception of the folded handle into its home position. Finger depressions in sidewalls of the cover on opposite sides of the pocket facilitate gripping of the edges of the handle for unfolding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventors: Marlo G. Van Klompenburg, David J. Vande Steeg, Robert S. Evers, Andrew W. Middleswart, Bruce A. Baier, Gregory J. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20030167693
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically actuating and securing a door has been shown and described. The automatic door system non-destructively retrofits a conventional door to allow actuation of the door. The automatic door system integrates a lock mechanism and a door actuation mechanism. The automatic door system allows hands-free operation and is suitable for use with pets or humans. The automatic door system controls the arc of the door swing and duration that the door remains open based upon the requestor activating the automatic door system. The automatic door system provides additional security over traditional mechanical locks. Further, the automatic door system allows access profiles to be customized to the requestor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Radio Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher E. Mainini
  • Publication number: 20030093954
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing energy provided when a door is displaced so as to subsequently enable the energy thereby stored to be released to assist in the release of a pawl from a latch bolt of a latch mechanism, the apparatus comprising energy storage means and release means to selectively release the energy once stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Robin Willats, John Emson, Sidney Fisher, Gurbinder Kalsi, Nigel Spurr, Jean Didier, Alan Dixon, Stephen Drysdale
  • Patent number: 6561557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for opening and closing a sliding door. When an inner handle is pivoted in a door opening direction in a state wherein a sliding door is closed, as the inner handle is pivoted from a neutral position in the door opening direction, a door-closed-status holding mechanism is unlocked by a locking controller. Also, when the inner handle is pivoted in a door closing direction in a state wherein the sliding door is opened, as the inner handle is pivoted from the neutral position in the door closing direction, a door-opened-status holding mechanism is unlocked by the locking controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae-hong Choi
  • Patent number: 6550831
    Abstract: A lock and emergency release system for a door normally power operated by a door operator. The system comprises a lock displaceable between an idle position to a functional position in which opening of the door by the door operator is prevented. An emergency release handle is manually operable for simultaneously displacing the lock to its idle position and releasing the door from the door operator, thereby allowing the door to be manually opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Tekdata Inc.
    Inventor: Magdy A. Rizk
  • Publication number: 20030070362
    Abstract: An improved casement window is provided which includes a tie bar and at least two tie bar guides through which the tie bar slidably extends. The tie bar guides are secured to a window frame which includes an elongated groove that extends parallel to the tie bar. Each tie bar guide includes at least one locating leg that extends outward from the tie bar guide body and that is received in the groove of the window frame to assist in the easy location of the tie bar guide and tie bar along the window frame. Further, each tie bar guide may be equipped with a protruding nib that is received in an aperture disposed in the tie bar. The cooperation of the tie bar guide and the aperture of the tie bar ensures that the tie bar guide is properly spaced along the length of the tie bar. The nib is sheared off of the tie bar guide after the tie bar guide is secured to the window frame and the tie bar is moved axially through the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Peter J. Minter, John A. Chiaia
  • Patent number: 6540269
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (10) is produced for holding a sliding door in the open position and has a Bowden cable (22) which acts on its locking element (20), a moving-carriage support (14) and a moving carriage (18), which move relative to one another during the closing of the door. In order to disengage the door handles from the locking mechanism when the sliding door is closed and therefore in order to reduce the actuating forces for unlocking the door lock, the moving-carriage support (14), during the closing movement, shifts a driver (34) which is guided on the moving carriage (14) and carries along the locking element (20) in the direction of its unlocking position. By this, the Bowden cable (22) is moved in its actuating direction, thereby enabling the door handles to be disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Mathias Würges, Martin Roos
  • Patent number: 6530176
    Abstract: A system for locking a driveable sliding door which comprises at least one moveable sliding panel and a swingable locking element which interlocks in its closed position with a first end with a lock pin. The system for locking is characterized by the second end of the swingable locking element being brought into contact with the sliding panel by opening or closing of the locking element so that the sliding panel can be driven into its opened or closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Hein
  • Publication number: 20020092237
    Abstract: To open a door which is latched in the closed position, a rotatable door handle must be turned to unlatch the door, after which the door can be opened. A door unlatching device is provided to rotate the handle, and a door operator moves the door from the closed position to the open position. An assist will provide additional force to move the door out of the door frame to the ajar position. A microprocessor receives input from all three devices and provides for the unification of the movements of the components to unlatch and open the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hebda
  • Patent number: 6190751
    Abstract: A self-adhesive reinforced foam gasket comprising a release liner having an upper surface which is a release surface, a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the release surface, a layer of flexible polymeric film, preferably polyester film, applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and a layer of flexible foam, preferably closed cell PVC flexible foam, thermally bonded to the flexible polymeric film layer. A length of material for die-cutting the gasket therefrom is provided. The gasket may be used in automobiles and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Michael S. Sylvester
  • Patent number: 6122863
    Abstract: A self-locking window operator has a reversible rotary drive shaft connectable in sequence to separate linkages respectively controlling movement of a casement relative to a surrounding frame and actuation of a fastening mechanism for releasably securing the casement when closed. The drive shaft is coupled by a worm gear to a drive input member rotatable about a drive axis and each linkage has a drive output member rotatable about separate axes offset from the drive axis. The input member has a drive pin co-operable with a respective pin receiving recess of each output member for sequentially operating the linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hardware & Systems Patents Limited
    Inventors: Arthur David Tippin, Peter James Harrison