Patents Examined by Carlos Lugo
  • Vehicle tailgate locking device
    Patent number: 10941591
    Abstract: A vehicle tailgate locking device may include a latch assembly configured to engage or disengage a striker, wherein the latch assembly includes a housing, a latch member disposed in the housing and configured to engage or disengage the striker by rotation, a pawl member rotatably disposed in the housing to restrain or release the latch member, a driving device configured to rotate the pawl member to release restraint of the latch member, an engaging member configured to restrain the pawl member by engaging the pawl member when the pawl member rotates to a position releasing restraint of the latch member, and a releasing portion configured to press the engaging member to release the restraint of the pawl member when the latch member is rotated to a position releasing the engagement of the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Hyun Cho, Ji-Hak Yoo
  • Ergonomic door handle
    Patent number: 10941595
    Abstract: An example motor vehicle includes, among other things, a door having an exterior surface, and a handle moveably coupled to the door. The handle is moveable within a plane of movement oblique to the exterior surface. A door handle and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Patel, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Door lock operator having different types of door lock operation
    Patent number: 10927573
    Abstract: A door lock operator (1) for a motor vehicle door (100) includes a first switch (10) and a first pivot arm (30) mounted so as to be pivotable about a first rotation axis (21.1) of a first articulation (21) along a first degree of freedom (31), wherein the first pivot arm (30) has a further degree of freedom (32) which is substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis (21.1), and the first switch (10) is operable by way of movement of the first pivot arm (30) along a first direction of the further degree of freedom (32), wherein the first switch (10) is provided to be connected by way of a signal line (110) to an electric door lock (120) such that the electric door lock (120) is operable by the first switch (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Zsolt Wilke, Andreas Rudolf, Martin Weid
  • Strike assembly
    Patent number: 10927568
    Abstract: An electric strike assembly includes a housing formed with a recessed portion therein, a keeper assembly pivotably mounted in the recessed portion of the housing, a lock leg pivotably mounted in the recessed portion of the housing and configured to rotate independently of the rotation of the keeper assembly, a block assembly having a blocking element configured to engage and disengage the keeper assembly, and to control engagement and disengagement of the blocking element with the keeper assembly. A method of capturing and releasing a latch bolt mounted in a door includes mounting an electric strike assembly in an associated door jamb and controlling an actuator to rotate an, actuator paddle to engage a blocking element such that the blocking element is engaged or disengaged from a keeper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Dormakaba Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Mandeep Singh
  • Window lock
    Patent number: 10920468
    Abstract: A lock assembly is provided for a window having a first sash and a second sash. The lock assembly comprises an elongate strip configured to be coupled to the first sash. The elongate strip has a plurality of recesses defined along a length of the elongate strip. The lock assembly also includes a lock member configured to be coupled to the second sash and operable to move along the length of the elongate strip. The lock member includes a biasing member and a coupler biased in a direction of the elongate strip by the biasing member. The coupler is configured to enter each of the plurality of recesses to selectively lock the lock member to the elongate strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Martasz Smith
  • Selectively lockable box and method of use
    Patent number: 10920467
    Abstract: A selectively lockable box may have a locking structure that may have a first bar, a second bar and a lock housing. The first and second bar engage with one another, and the lock, to lock the box. The first bar may be horizontally oriented to lock a box lid, and the second bar may be a vertically oriented to lock other access areas of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Adrian Steel Company
    Inventor: Thomas Richter
  • Vehicle door latch assemblies
    Patent number: 10920461
    Abstract: A door latch assembly includes a handle bezel, a rotatable handle coupled to the handle bezel, and a bezel cap. The handle bezel includes a main body portion and a rib extending from the main body portion. The rotatable handle includes a handle lever extending through the main body portion of the handle bezel, wherein the handle lever extends alongside the rib of the handle bezel. The bezel cap is positioned in a first position at an end of the rib so as to provide clearance for the handle lever of the rotatable handle to rotate thereby. The bezel cap is configured to move along the rib toward the main body portion of the handle bezel to interfere with a rotation of the handle lever during a side impact condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Cunningham
  • Lock mechanism for securing a lockable volume
    Patent number: 10920470
    Abstract: A lock and method of locking a lockable volume is described. The lock may be located on a door of a lockable volume, such as a locker configured to hold an item. The lock may comprise a post and a cam, the cam having an opening corresponding to the size and shape of the post. The cam is rotatable about an axis, wherein the rotation of the cam about the axis releasably secures the post within the opening, thereby locking the door to which the post is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Nan K. McKenzie, William Albert Tartal, Victoria K. Stephen, Michael J. Amato
  • Aircraft lavatory door latch
    Patent number: 10920466
    Abstract: A door latch assembly configured to be used in an aircraft lavatory door. The door latch assembly includes a housing that includes a housing interior, a switch member operatively associated with the housing that is rotatable between a first position and a second position, and a locking bolt that is movable linearly between an unlocked position and a locked position. Rotation of the switch member from the first position to the second position moves the locking bolt from the unlocked position to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SAFRAN CABIN INC.
    Inventors: Eric Long, Glen Noda
  • Locking structure for cover covering handle seat
    Patent number: 10920450
    Abstract: A locking structure for a cover covering a handle seat may include a cover placed to cover a disk-shaped handle seat mounted on a surface of a door and may include a cover locking mechanism, a handle seat-side locking portion, and a rotation prevention mechanism. The cover locking mechanism may include a plurality of protrusion-shaped cover-side locking portions protruding inward at circumferential intervals at an opening end edge of the cover. The handle seat-side locking portion may include a groove portion and a hooking groove portion to which the cover is hooked when the cover-side locking portion is inserted when the cover placed is rotated. The rotation prevention mechanism may include a biased latch arranged at the groove portion. The latch may have an engagement portion projecting and retracting with respect to a bottom surface of the groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: Mitsuru Horiuchi
  • Interface module device of digital door lock
    Patent number: 10920451
    Abstract: A digital door lock, and more particularly, an interface module device of a digital door lock is provided, which is capable of adjusting and aligning a position of a fastening bolt of the digital door lock so as to match fastening positions of a variety of locking devices while using a previously-installed locking device as it is. Accordingly, an interface module device for a door lock is provided, which includes a bracket, an interface bracket fastened with the bracket, and an interval alignment disposed between the bracket and the interface bracket to adjust an interval between fastening nuts inserted into fastening holes of the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AMADAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Min Park, Sang Woo Jung
  • Handle for a vehicle door
    Patent number: 10920462
    Abstract: A handle for a vehicle door includes an activation member, a grip member, a driving mechanism, and an actuator lever. The grip member includes a gripping part and is movable between a flushing position, active position, and opening position. In the flushing position, the gripping part extends flush to an external panel of the door. In the active position, the gripping part projects from the external panel, becomes graspable, and the grip member cooperates with the activation member. In the opening position, the grip member drives the activation member to activate the latch to unlatch the door. The driving mechanism and actuator lever cooperate with the grip member to drive the grip member between the flushing position and the active position. When the grip member is pulled in an opening direction, the grip member drives the activation member which in turn activates the latch to unlatch the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: U-SHIN ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Anthony Guerin, Siavash Ostovari-Far
  • Motor vehicle door latch
    Patent number: 10914102
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch, in particular a servo latch, which is equipped with a locking mechanism including of a catch and a pawl. Furthermore, a spindle drive with a motor, spindle and spindle nut located thereon is executed at least to close the locking mechanism. The spindle nut impinges the catch at least in the closure direction via a closure lever. The closure lever is simultaneously formed as an opening lever to open the locking mechanism and consequently as a combined closure/opening lever. The combined closure/opening lever impinges either the catch in a closing direction or the pawl in an opening direction dependent on the actuating direction of the spindle drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert J. Hunt
  • Enclosure latch system
    Patent number: 10914098
    Abstract: A latch system has a latch hook pivotably mounted in the housing between a closed position and an open position. It further includes an actuating lever pivotably mounted in the housing between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the actuating lever is in the locked position and the latch hook is in the closed position, the actuating lever maintains the latch hook in the closed position, and when the actuating lever is in the unlocked position, the actuating lever does not interfere with movement of the latch hook between the open position and the closed position. The system can further include a mechanical indicator, and when the actuating lever is in the locked position, the indicator provides a locked indication, and when the actuating lever is in the unlocked indication position, the indicator provides an unlocked indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Digilock Asia Ltd.
    Inventors: An Zhang, Asil Gokcebay
  • Tamper evident locking device
    Patent number: 10913576
    Abstract: A locking device includes a lock body, a hasp and a seal. The lock body includes a hasp locking latch pivotally disposed therein and a seal locking latch pivotally disposed therein. The hasp is disposed at the lock body and movable between an open state, where a free end of the hasp is external the lock body, and a closed state, where the free end of the hasp is within the lock body. The seal, when inserted into the lock body when the hasp is in its closed state, engages the hasp locking latch to pivot the hasp locking latch to engage and lock the hasp in its closed state, and the seal, when inserted into the lock body, engages the seal locking latch to lock the seal within the lock body. The seal includes a frangible portion that is configured to break the seal into first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: E.J. BROOKS COMPANY
    Inventor: David Crisp
  • Motor vehicle door latch device
    Patent number: 10907384
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch device comprises an engagement unit that can engage with a striker and an operating unit attached to the engagement unit. The operating unit comprises an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a locking motor; a locking mechanism comprising mechanical elements that can be shifted to an unlock state and a lock state based on drive of the locking motor; an electric release motor for releasing the opening lever regardless of a state of the locking mechanism based on drive of the releasing motor; and an inside lever that is pivotally mounted, via a first shaft, for pivotally mounting the electric release lever to a housing and is rotated based on a door opening action of the internal mechanical elements thereby releasing the opening lever, when the locking mechanism is in an unlock state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: GECOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cristian Damboiu, Bryan Farris
  • Tamper resistant gravity latch
    Patent number: 10900255
    Abstract: An apparatus, having: a staple (404); and a hasp assembly (200) including: a chamber (412) including a home position (430) and a release passage (414); and a release element (328) disposed in the release passage. Forward rotation of the hasp assembly from an upright orientation (208) about a first horizontal axis (220) allows the kinetic element to move under the influence of gravity from the home position into the release passage and into contact with the release element, thereby releasing the staple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: FATH, INC.
    Inventors: Armin Fink, William Kenneth Williams, Joseph Oliva
  • Hands free gate
    Patent number: 10895108
    Abstract: The present gate includes a barrier frame and a gate in the barrier frame. The gate is opened by inserting a foot into a foot opening in the gate, which action compresses springs disposed about pivot pins between the gate and the barrier frame and draws an extended latch downwardly and out of a latch receiver that is bottomless, which action unlatches and frees the gate from the barrier frame such that the gate can be swung open. Downward travel of the gate is minimized until a foot pushes a pivoting stop out of the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Brian G. Linehan, Elizabeth R. Volk
  • Double latch lockset
    Patent number: 10890020
    Abstract: A double latch lockset, or its kit form, generally includes first and second retractable latches connected by a drive assembly. The first retractable latch may be activated by a first inside and/or outside actuator, and the second retractable latch may be activated by a second inside and/or outside actuator that activates the second retractable latch (such as a deadbolt) independently of the first retractable latch. Movement of the first inside and/or outside actuator in a first direction simultaneously retracts the first and second retractable latches, and movement of the first inside and/or outside actuator in a second direction locks the second retractable latch. The first inside and outside actuators may be configured to move in the second direction without retracting the first retractable latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Townsteel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Moon, Sybor Ma
  • Actuating device for a movable part
    Patent number: 10882394
    Abstract: An actuating device for a movable part, in particular a cover of a vehicle body opening, including at least one actuator and at least one electromechanical switching element. The electromechanical switching element is changeable between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the electromechanical switching element senses an actuation by the actuator and in the second mode, the electromechanical switching element releases the actuator such that the actuator can be moved toward the movable part. The electromechanical switching element has an electroactive polymer and/or a piezoelectric element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hella KGaA Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Olaf Husberg, Henning Irle, Ingo Niemeyer