Patents Examined by Carl F. Pietruszka
  • Patent number: 4475366
    Abstract: A device for protecting the navigational instruments and radio equipment mounted on an instrument panel in the cockpit of an aircraft against theft. The device includes a protective cover mounted immediately adjacent the instrument panel and means for locking the potective cover to the control column of the aircraft in a manner such that the aircraft controls will not be damaged in the event that the protective cover is tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Inventor: Michael Marneris
  • Patent number: 4448050
    Abstract: A key operated lock having a handle member slidably and rotatably operating within a rose member secured in a door, the rose having a bore therethrough in which a lock cylinder is rotatably mounted but restrained against axial displacement and has an axially displaceable and rotatably mounted latch actuator operably engageable with the handle by a key insertable into the handle transversely to the rotational axis. The lock cylinder has fixed wards extending toward the handle and key member which in the proper position of the key are in alignment with holes in the key which permit interlocking of the handle via the key with the lock cylinder for simultaneous rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventors: Walter J. Nugent, Leslie G. Nugent
  • Patent number: 4446707
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a novel retaining strap for securing a lock cylinder within the assembly. The lock assembly is designed so that one of two different degrees of bolt extension can be chosen during assembly of the device. In addition the assembly incorporates a dowel pin to increase the strength of the joint between the lock bolt and a lock bolt extension connected to the lockbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: TRE Corporation
    Inventors: Richard O. Mullich, Ray Dushane
  • Patent number: 4440007
    Abstract: A control device for a magnetic cylindrical lock having a cylindrical housing and a cylindrical plug disposed for rotational and axial movements in the housing, comprises a longitudinal bore in the plug, magnetic rotary members arranged for rotation across the longitudinal bore, and arresting means for blocking the rotation of the plug in one axial position of the latter and for permitting the rotary movement in another axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: EVVA-Werk Specialerzeugung von Zylinder-und-Sicherheitsschlossern GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kurt Prunbauer
  • Patent number: 4432573
    Abstract: A locking system for safe doors of the type comprising a turnable handle or handwheel for operating one or more sets of bolts between a locked position, wherein the bolts project into the door rim, and an unlocked position, wherein the bolts are withdrawn from the door rim. The system is characterized by bolt-securing means in the form of locking pins adapted to be inserted, in the locked position of the bolt, into aligned bores formed through each bolt and through a wall of a fixed bolt housing block slidingly supporting the bolt during the displacement thereof between the locked and unlocked positions.The pins are displaced into their locking or inserted position immediately after the locking of the bolts during a continuous rotation of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Inventor: Ilan Goldman
  • Patent number: 4426859
    Abstract: Disclosed is an auto anti-theft ignition switch lock for preventing unauthorized access to the ignition switch which is mounted on the steering column of most conventional automobiles. The ignition switch lock includes a housing, one end of which is shaped to conform to the contours of a steering column, having a latched enclosure member which is shaped to adapt to the column for securement of the device to the steering column. The device further includes a housing and a movable access door therein which is shaped to conform to the contours of a pair of long narrow uniform furrows which is manifested beneath the surface of a pair of interior walls within the housing, stops, guide surfaces and a key operated latch for selectively controlling the movement of the door, which moves along in constant frictional contact with the smooth surface of the pair of hollowed out furrows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Inventor: Herbert R. Floyd
  • Patent number: 4425770
    Abstract: A steering lock assembly for use in an automobile comprises a cylinder lock plug for controlling an ignition switch assembly with a mating key inserted in the cylinder lock plug and a steering shaft lock operatively associated with the cylinder lock plug for selectively locking and unlocking an automobile steering shaft. The cylinder lock plug comprises a key-operated barrel and the steering shaft lock comprises a locking member. As an element for transmitting rotation of the barrel, which is effected by turning the mating key inserted therein, to the locking member, a cam member is utilized, which cam member is integrally formed with the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Mentani, Hiromasa Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 4422312
    Abstract: A lock assembly incorporating an exterior knob assembly which is axially movable into engagement with a latchbolt. The knob assembly includes a shaft having a circumferential groove into which a plurality of locking pins extend. The position of the locking pins is controlled by means of a number of combination knobs, and normally one or more of the locking pins is positioned within the circumferential groove to prevent axial movement of the exterior knob assembly. When the proper combination is chosen, the locking pins will be out of engagement with the groove, thereby allowing the exterior knob assembly to be moved into engagement with the latchbolt. The latch bolt can also be actuated by means of an interior knob assembly. The interior knob assembly is movable into a position which prevents engagement of the exterior knob assembly with the latchbolt despite the fact that the locking pins are all retracted from the circumferential groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Inventor: Israel Chermoni
  • Patent number: 4422314
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for fuel lines in vehicles in which at least a part of the unit is constructed of aluminum to resisting flame cutting and hardened steel dowel pins are used to resist saw cutting. The locking mechanism has an internal recess which encloses a fuel line valve in a closed position. The locking mechanism is comprised of two members which are interlocked to one another by a rotatable keying element which is in one member and selectively engages with the other member upon operation of a key to lock the members to one another while the fuel line valve is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1983
    Inventor: Wilbur H. Cooper
  • Patent number: 4420905
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for a window or door closure hingedly mounted on a fixed frame comprising a control cam and catch fixed to the hinged side of the frame, a driving rod slidably mounted on the closure, a dog mounted on one end of the driving rod for latchingly engaging the catch, and a cam follow mechanism connected to the opposite side of the driving rod for engaging the control cam so that the dog is moved by the driving rod in latching alignment with the catch when the closure is moved to the closed position relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Siegenia-Frank KG
    Inventor: Eckard Kucharczyk
  • Patent number: 4418553
    Abstract: In a locking device for use with a vehicle having a trunk compartment and a fuel tank filling outlet positioned adjacent and below a vertical lower wall of the trunk compartment, with the vehicle also having a closeable lid member which closes by engaging said trunk compartment lower wall, said device including a removeable cap closure member for the fuel tank inlet which tightens onto the fuel tank inlet by rotational movement and which has a slot in the exterior thereof, and a locking bar element having configured upper and lower portions, with the upper portion being adapted to fit over the top of the trunk compartment lower wall and engage the underside of the trunk lid, and with the lower portion having a lower terminus which is adapted to seat into the slot in said fuel tank filler outlet cap to lock thereby the cap in place and prevent its removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: Edward R. Applegate
  • Patent number: 4418552
    Abstract: Extending a dead bolt into a locked position turns a crank that releases a lock release plate from an unlocked position which in turn releases a slide. Upon its release, the slide responds to springs and forces a tooth into a notch of an actuator to lock a latch bolt. To unlock the latch bolt and the dead bolt, the dead bolt can be directly retracted, whereupon the crank engages the lock release plate to move it back to its unlocked position. The lock release plate during this travel picks up the slide and withdraws the tooth from the actuator, freeing the latch bolt assembly. When locked, the latch bolt and the dead bolt can be simultaneously unlocked by rotation of an inside operator which produces rotation of a double-lobed cam. One lobe of the cam moves the slide against the force of the springs sufficiently to clear the tooth from the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: Roger J. Nolin
  • Patent number: 4418551
    Abstract: The cash box of a vending machine is protected by a heavy steel door or pair of doors which are locked across the front of the juke box covering the cash box, the door or doors being mounted on a framework consisting of steel straps which wrap around the back, and preferably the top and bottom as well, of the vending machine and interlock in such a way that they can be installed without screws, bolts or other fastening structure and will positively be locked into place when the barrier door or doors are closed. This configuration eliminates the need to mount a barrier door onto the vending machine, which is somewhat time consuming and tricky due to the strength of the mounting that is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: Donald G. Kochackis
  • Patent number: 4414828
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for a compartment door operated by a key comprises an outer cylinder fixed in the compartment door, a rotor inserted into the cylinder, a plurality of locking plates inserted into the rotor radially slidably to engage with the cylinder, one or more engaging plates inserted into the rotor radially slidably, a ring surrounding the rotor independently rotatable with respect to the rotor, a lip projected from the ring engageable with the engaging plates, operating means to rotate the ring, and engaging means maintains the door closed and releasable by the rotor. In door-opening operation, the rotor is rotated by the key from a locking position to an releasing position, then the key is removed to engage the ring with rotor. This engagement enables the operating means to rotate the rotor through the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshikazu Takinami, Masao Horaguchi, Keizo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4414829
    Abstract: A device for locking a rectangular electric meter box having an openable front cover. The device has an L-shaped lock housing which includes a first leg fixed to the front cover of the box and a second leg which is detachably fastened to the side wall of the box when the front cover is closed. A barrel lock is inserted into the second leg of the lock housing to block unauthorized removal of the detachable fastener from the side wall of the meter box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anker J. Nielsen, Jr., Richard E. Hoyt
  • Patent number: 4413489
    Abstract: A lock for furniture or similar articles with a flexible tamboured cover which traverses a track. Upon actuation of the lock, the pin is shifted within the track and prevents movement of the cover therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Packard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman E. Hogue
  • Patent number: 4409804
    Abstract: Apparatus for locking a motorcycle or the like which has a first part which rotates during powered movement of the associated motor vehicle and a second discrete part which is disposed proximate to the first part, the first part moving independently of the second part. The apparatus includes first and second elongated members, a pivot mounting the first member to the second member. Structure on the first or second member cooperates with one of the first and second parts of the associated motor vehicle, and is dimensioned and configured for interfering relationship of the padlocked apparatus with the other of the first and second parts of the associated motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1983
    Inventor: Mark P. Sork
  • Patent number: 4407146
    Abstract: A lock assembly for preventing the unauthorized disconnection of a gas line where it is connected to the gas meter. The lock assembly has telescoping male and female shrouds, a bolt type lock and an end cap inserted transversely through the side walls of the telescoped shrouds to lock the two shrouds together to securely enclose the gas line threaded connection, and two turned back ears on the male shroud closed end which cover the female shroud open end side edges to prevent the female shroud and the male shroud from being pried apart by a pair of screwdrivers or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Omco, Inc.
    Inventor: Anker J. Nielsen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4406140
    Abstract: Anti-theft device for nuts/screws of automobile wheels, comprising a barrel (10) rotatably subassembled with a lock cylinder plug (18) the tumblers (24) of which are placed in position by simple insertion of the key (23), which key, however, once inserted and turned, cannot be withdrawn inasmuch as a projection (28) on the key (23) then lies behind a shoulder (20) on the barrel. This subassembly may be rotatably locked upon the fastener element or removed therefrom using but one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: DOM-Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Wolter
  • Patent number: 4404822
    Abstract: A pre-coiled cable-lock device for use with a motorcycle and other like vehicles, wherein the device comprises a housing having a drum-like compartment in which an elongated precoiled cable is stored. The housing includes a securing member for attaching the housing to a suitable frame member of the motorcycle. One end of the cable is fixedly secured within the compartment, and the opposite free end is provided with a keeper member arranged to be received in and form part of the housing wall when in a stored mode, the keeper being held therein by a locking front plate. When in a cable-locking mode, the cable is looped in a suitable manner to a fixed structure or through one wheel, the keeper member being reinserted into the housing wall and again held in place by the locking plate, thereby preventing the removal of the keeper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Inventor: Leonard O. Green