Patents Examined by Alyson M. Merlino
  • Patent number: 11512509
    Abstract: A closure latch assembly having a latch mechanism is provided. The latch mechanism includes a ratchet and a pawl assembly pivotally supported for movement between a ratchet holding position whereat the pawl assembly is positioned to hold the ratchet in its striker capture position and a ratchet releasing position whereat the pawl assembly is located to permit movement of the ratchet to its striker release position. The pawl assembly has a carrier and a pawl configured for rotation relative to one another about a pawl pin and a roller carried by the carrier. The roller is disposed between the pawl and the ratchet for selective rolling movement therebetween. The roller is disposed into abutment with a closing surface of the ratchet while the pawl assembly is in the ratchet holding position and is spaced from closing surface while the pawl assembly is in the ratchet releasing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Franco Giovanni Ottino, Kris Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 11505971
    Abstract: A vehicle latch mechanism includes a latch body having a striker receiving zone including a first surface and an opposing second surface. A first guide member extends along and is spaced from the first surface. The first guide member includes a first end, a second, cantilevered end, and an intermediate portion. A second guide member extends along and is spaced from the second surface. The second guide member includes a first end portion, a second cantilevered end portion, and an intermediate section. The second end and the second cantilevered end extend into the striker receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Kuriyavar, Jose Madrid, Arun Murthy, Eli Retamoza, Martin Gustavo Reyes
  • Patent number: 11505972
    Abstract: A vehicle hood lock device includes a base including a groove for entry of a striker, a latch that pivots between a restraining position and a release position, a locking lever engaging the latch, a torsion spring causing the latch to pivot in a direction toward the release position, and a sub-plate fixed to the base by a latch pin supporting the latch and a locking pin supporting the locking lever. The torsion spring includes a cylindrical portion. The sub-plate integrally includes a basal portion, a circumferential wall portion rising up from the basal portion in a pivot axis direction of the latch, facing the cylindrical portion in a radial direction thereof and restricting movement of the torsion spring in the radial direction, and a brim portion protruding outward in the radial direction from the circumferential wall portion and restricting movement of the torsion spring in the pivot axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Johnan Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Naoki Ide, Harumitsu Nakamura, Koji Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11492826
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock including a detent mechanism with a catch and a pawl arrangement. The catch may be pivoted between an open position, a primary closed position and a secondary closed position, which secondary closed position is situated between the open position and the primary closed position. The pawl arrangement, in a blocking state, blocks the catch in the primary closed position and in the secondary closed position, and may be moved into a release state to release the catch. The pawl arrangement comprises a primary pawl, in the blocking state, in blocking engagement with the catch, and a secondary pawl in blocking engagement with the primary pawl. The blocking state, the secondary pawl may be lifted to release the primary pawl, such that the primary pawl may be lifted to release the catch. The motor vehicle lock comprises an actuation lever, that may lift the secondary pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, WUPPERTAL
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11485222
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for opening and closing a lid (lid body) of a vehicle includes a linearly-movable shaft (10) supported by a housing (90) such that the shaft (10) is linearly movable along, and nonrotatable around, an axial center (X10); and a rotary shaft (30) supported by the linearly-movable shaft (10) such that it is linearly movable along and rotatable around the axial center (X10). A stopper (50) is supported by the housing (90) and is displaceable between a blocking position at which the stopper (50) prohibits the linearly-movable shaft (10) from moving from a second position to a first position, and a nonblocking position at which the stopper (50) is separated from the linearly-movable shaft (10). The stopper (50) is biased toward the blocking position and displaces to the nonblocking position in response to a manual opening operation for displacing the lid to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: ANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaaki Noda
  • Patent number: 11486170
    Abstract: A device for opening a door or flap on a motor vehicle, comprising a handle that a user can grip from outside the motor vehicle, a motor vehicle locking mechanism, and a means for actuating the locking mechanism using the handle, said actuating means being a cable that is placed between the handle and the motor vehicle locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Patent number: 11479997
    Abstract: A key operation mechanism includes a key cylinder; a locking lever that extends from a side surface of the key cylinder; and an unlocking lever that extends from a side surface of the key cylinder in a direction that is different from the direction in which the locking lever extends. The key operation mechanism further includes a locking pull line that is configured to lock a door and an unlocking pull line that is configured to unlock the door. One end of the locking pull line is attached to the locking lever, and one end of the unlocking pull line is attached to the unlocking lever. When the key cylinder rotates in a locking direction, the locking lever pulls the locking pull line, and, when the key cylinder rotates in an unlocking direction that is opposite the locking direction, the unlocking lever pulls the unlocking pull line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunori Hirozawa
  • Patent number: 11479113
    Abstract: A fuel door opener assembly is configured to lock or unlock a fuel door of a vehicle and includes: an opener housing in which a space is formed; a locking block slidably installed inside the opener housing, elastically supported in a direction to be drawn out from the opener housing, and configured to lock and unlock the fuel door; a locking pin configured to be moved along a heart-shaped cam formed on the locking block to restrict a location of the locking block in accordance with a position thereof on a profile of the heart-shaped cam; and an elastic member disposed in the opener housing and elastically supporting the locking pin to allow the locking pin to be positioned on the profile of the heart-shaped cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, PYEONG HWA AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong-Muk Lee, Kyoung-Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 11473348
    Abstract: An integrated door latch assembly of a sliding door may include a plate installed at the lower front of the sliding door, a front latch part which is installed in the front of the plate, and a hold open latch part which is installed at the plate so as to be spaced apart from the front latch part to the rear of the vehicle. The front latch part maintains the closed state of the sliding door by restraining a close striker formed at a vehicle body when the sliding door is closed and releases the restriction of the close striker when the sliding door starts to open. The hold open latch part maintains the open state by restraining the sliding of the sliding door when the sliding door is opened and releases the restriction so that the sliding door can slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyung-In Yun
  • Patent number: 11473354
    Abstract: A door holding device and system is disclosed that holds a door in a partially open configuration. The door holding device includes a first arm assembly that attaches to a door, a second arm assembly that attaches to a door frame, a movable clamping mechanism that clamps the second arm assembly to the door frame, and a pivot device that allows the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly to pivot with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: THREE FIREFIGHTERS LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Maher
  • Patent number: 11466487
    Abstract: A hinged door with a latch described. The latch may be used to secure the door of a cabinet in a closed position. The door hingedly connects to the cabinet by a hinge. The latch includes a handle. The handle includes a pawl tip. The latch includes a base, and the handle rotates relative to the base. The handle is biased to a closed position by a spring or biasing member. The handle and the base are mounted to the door of the cabinet. A striker is mounted to a wall the cabinet. The striker includes a catch that is spaced from an interior side of a wall of the cabinet. The pawl tip of the handle lockingly engages with the catch of the striker to secure the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Steven Jeffries
  • Patent number: 11430348
    Abstract: The invention relates to means for detecting unauthorized access to mobile and fixed warehouses and for protecting material assets stored therein against theft, and also for other similar purposes. A cable seal comprises a housing (1) containing a longitudinal blind axial channel (2) in which the end of a cable (3) is rigidly fastened, two axial channels (4) and (5) with locking mechanisms (6) and (7) for receiving the cable (3), and a loop A situated in the lower portion between channels (4) and (5). The loop A is protected by a mechanism which blocks access thereto, consisting of transverse channels provided in lateral ledges of the seal, said channels slidably receiving a bolt (10) with locking elements (11) mounted on an inner portion for engagement with a ledge (12) provided in the lower portion of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Alexandr Lubenschii
  • Patent number: 11428031
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock including a catch, a pawl, and a drivetrain arrangement with a drive element. When the catch is in the secondary closed position, the pawl is moveable from the engaged state the released state to release the catch. The drive element may be configured to move in a predefined drive direction. The motor vehicle lock may include a first coupling element, provided with a first coupling surface and a second coupling element, provided with a second coupling surface. During the cinching sequence, the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface may be engaged with one another to move the catch. During the release sequence the drive element is moved in the predefined drive direction such that the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface are disengaged from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wuppertal
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11421447
    Abstract: A lock with a handle assembly and a lock articulating assembly. The handle assembly has a handle member and a lock assembly. The handle member has a central bore and a locking plug groove. The lock assembly has a lock arm with a body positionable within the central bore. The body includes a central bore and a radial bore which is alignable with the locking plug groove. The lock assembly further has an outward locking plug configured to translate along the radial bore and selectively into the locking plug groove. The lock articulating assembly includes a slider (or a second cam), an actuator, a cam coupled to a motor. The cam is selectively engageable with the slider to rotate and/or translate the slider. The actuator is coupled to the slider, so that movement to the slider imparts movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TriTeq Lock and Security, LLC
    Inventors: Calin Roatis, William Denison
  • Patent number: 11414891
    Abstract: An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominik Scheffler, Scott Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11414904
    Abstract: A latch assembly having an emergency auxiliary release member located in a stowage compartment of a motor vehicle, such as a front trunk, is provided. The latch assembly has a coupling lever that is actuatable to move to a disengaged position if a predetermined condition is met, such as and engine on/off condition or a vehicle speed condition, for example, whereupon the latch assembly is prevented from being fully release, but only allows the latch assembly to move to a partially released state. Upon the predetermined condition be absent, the coupling lever is returned to a position such that the latch assembly can then be fully released from either a passenger compartment of the vehicle or the trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Magna BOCO GmbH
    Inventors: Jörg Thomas Klein, Vladmir Lebsak, Henrik Johann
  • Patent number: 11414900
    Abstract: A method and a locking device for a motor vehicle, in particular a bonnet lock, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a locking pin and an ejector interacting with the locking pin, wherein the locking pin can be brought into a lifting-off position by means of the ejector, and with at least one electrically actuable means for moving the lock holder from the lifting-off position into a locking position, wherein a drive lever is provided, and wherein the ejector and, at least indirectly, the rotary latch are actuable by means of the drive lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Christian Sturm
  • Patent number: 11407568
    Abstract: The invention relates to means for sealing measuring instruments and equipment, specifically to seals with a blockable rotor to enable monitoring for unauthorized access to instruments measuring consumption of electrical and heating energy, natural gas and water. A seal with a rotor comprises a transparent body (1) made from a high-strength plastic and formed with a cylindrical cavity (2) having a blind end and openings (3) which are formed on lateral sides of the cavity (2) and through which a flexible sealing element passes, and a rectangular cavity (4) which is installed at the open end of the cavity (2), transversely with respect to the latter, wherein the cavities (2) and (4) are interconnected. A rotor (6) is arranged in the cavity (2) so as to be rotatable in one direction. Openings for the flexible sealing element are formed in the lateral walls of the cavity (2) and in the rotor. A cross-shaped blocking element (9) is installed at one end of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Serghei Cerbari, Alexandr Lubenschii
  • Patent number: 11401743
    Abstract: A camera housing includes a simplified draw latch for securing a first portion and a second portion of the camera housing together. The draw latch can include a draw hook and a wireform mid-linkage. The draw latch enables a user to easily open and close a camera housing, and to establish an air-tight or water-tight seal between the housing portions for use in various activities, including scuba diving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan L. Coons, Joshua P. Davies, Todd Lewis
  • Patent number: 11403971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-locking security seal of the type mostly used within the scope of transporting goods, for the secure closure of containers or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Luciano Grapsa