Patents Examined by Christopher Boswell
  • Patent number: 9850687
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is selectively operable both electronically and mechanically by way of an integrated mechanical lock and motorized lock mechanism. A motorized lock mechanism is incorporated with a mechanical lock to provide for keyless access, while the mechanical lock and key system remains as a back-up. A toggle assembly is selectively positioned either mechanically via a first cam, or electronically via a second cam, both selectively operable independently of each other, without interference from each other, to move the toggle assembly to its unlocked position. A spring biases the toggle assembly to its locked position when the first and second cams are in their locked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TriTeq Lock and Security, LLC
    Inventor: Calin V. Roatis
  • Patent number: 9834959
    Abstract: A lock assembly is disclosed to lock a moveable structure to a fixed structure. The lock assembly includes an electric actuator operable to move a locking lug between first and second axial positions to correspond with a locked and unlocked configuration of the lock assembly. A resilient member can couple the locking lug to the electric actuator and drive the locking lug between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Mani, Prem Ratan Mohan Ram, Abdul Khadar Jailani Mannanayak
  • Patent number: 9828789
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes a handle, a handle seal recess, and a hub engaging portion. A hub has a lock receiving surface and a handle engaging portion. A shaft is receivable within the hub and has first and second ends, the first end engaged with the handle, and the second end rotatable by rotating the grasping portion of the handle. A V-ring is disposed within the handle seal recess and engages the hub to prevent moisture ingress between the handle and the hub. The hub has a seal recess and an X-ring and an O-ring disposed therein to seal against the shaft to prevent moisture ingress between the hub and the shaft. Axial pressure applied to the O-ring by the hub engaging portion of the handle causes the O-ring to press against the X-ring to force at least one lobe of the X-ring against the central portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Marian Bulancea
  • Patent number: 9828790
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a plurality of button assemblies having a plurality of indicator elements. A position of the indicator elements sets a lock combination. A code blocker is configured to cover and prevent access to the plurality of button assemblies when the lock assembly is in a first position, for example in an unlocked position, and to allow access to the plurality of button assemblies when the lock assembly is in a second position, for example in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: UTC FIRE & SECURITY AMERICAS CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew S. Hill
  • Patent number: 9822559
    Abstract: A security device can include a clip allowing the security device to be attached to clothing, bags or other accessories without the need for a separate holster or carrier. The security device can be readily transported without the need for a separate holster or carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PLUS 8 INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Thomas Smith, John William Abrahams
  • Patent number: 9816290
    Abstract: A key cylinder device includes a cylindrical rotor case, a rotor rotatably enclosed in the rotor case, a sleeve fixedly disposed between the rotor and the rotor case, and a tumbler moving in a radial direction inside the rotor by insertion and extraction of a mechanical key into and from the rotor. The sleeve includes a hole not engaged with the tumbler by the insertion of the mechanical key and engaged by the extraction of the mechanical key, and a dividing wall formed at a middle of the hole, the dividing wall receiving the tumbler. A part of the dividing wall is engaged with a recessed groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of the rotor case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Toshiaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9816296
    Abstract: A cable lock assembly for securing an object to a securing structure. The cable lock assembly includes a flexible cable extending from a first end segment to a second end segment. A connecting portion of a collar is connected to the first end segment of the cable, and a flexible portion of the collar extends away from the connecting segment to a distal end. A lock is fixed to the collar. The flexible portion of the collar is movable relative to the flexible cable from an open position to a closed position to open and close the collar. The lock can lock the collar in the closed position around an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Inventor: Katherine S. C. Denny
  • Patent number: 9809995
    Abstract: Described herein is locking apparatus, method for making a locking apparatus, and method for mounting a locking apparatus to the door of a personal storage container. The locking apparatus may include a threaded portion having deformed threads and a lock body shape to fit a restrictive mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
    Inventors: Donald E. Irwin, Michael L. Spears, Robert Dalton
  • Patent number: 9803395
    Abstract: A lock structure suitable for various lock cores includes an engagement arranged at one side of a lock core axle of a lock device. The engagement member includes a rod section such that the engagement member is coupled to a link bar. A handle axle includes an arrestor member, such that the arrestor member is coupled to a stop plate and a push bar. A retention member is arranged under the push bar. When the lock core axle is rotated by means of a key, the engagement member and the link bar are driven to achieve locking, or a handle is operated to achieve unlocking. When the lock core is damaged, the damaged lock core is replaceable with one of various types of lock core without the need to replace the entire lock thereby improving the utilization of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Te-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 9803400
    Abstract: The invention relating to a locking mechanism is provided herein. The invention is composed of a pin adapted with a circumferential pin notch; a lock housing; a chamber with a chamber pin slot for receiving the pin and adapted to mate with the lock housing; a set of a given number of uniformly dimensioned ball bearings; a bearing housing adapted to fit inside the chamber, adapted to contain the ball bearings while enabling horizontal movement of the ball bearings and restraining vertical movement of the ball bearings, and adapted with a bearing housing pin slot for receiving the pin. When the pin is inserted into the chamber pin slot, the pin applies horizontal force to the ball bearings, which in turn deform the inside of the chamber. The ball bearings seat in the circumferential pin notch, locking the pin in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Le Vise Products LLC
    Inventors: Wu Willie, Yang Te-Chou
  • Patent number: 9803394
    Abstract: A deadbolt lock assembly comprising a retractable and extendable deadbolt, a housing, an outside member movably mounted on the housing, the member being normally disconnected from the deadbolt, and an operator input device on the housing, the device connecting the member to the deadbolt in response to presentation of an appropriate credential, such that a force applied to the member by the operator is mechanically transmitted to the deadbolt to move the deadbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: George Frolov, John E. Walsh, Victor Bogdanov, Alfred S. Levesque, Kevin D. Miller, Don Shilonie, Adam O'Day
  • Patent number: 9796358
    Abstract: The apparatus is a trapped key safety interlock device for use with a coupling that comprises a body provided with a face seal, a rim on one side and a projecting spur on the diametrically opposite side. The safety device includes a coupling part (201) which is complimentary to the said coupling (102) and which comprises a body portion having a rim portion (207) on one side for engagement with the spur of the said coupling and having a spur portion (206) on the diametrically opposite side for engagement with the rim of the said coupling (102). The rim portion accommodates a release mechanism (16, 18) for selectively enabling and disabling a key retention mechanism within the device. The key retention mechanism has a key retention condition and a key releasable condition, wherein the release mechanism comprises a primary release mechanism (16) and a secondary latching mechanism (18) resisting movement of the primary release mechanism until it is actuated itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Castell Safety International Limited
    Inventors: Keith Brian Allingham, Georgios Papagiannopoulos
  • Patent number: 9790711
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Aaron P. McKibben, Kenton Hayes Barker
  • Patent number: 9790715
    Abstract: An antitheft device attachable to an article, formed by two parts, one part comprises a means for remote interaction with a terminal detecting passage of the device, a hinge to allow movement between a protection position, and a release position, one of the parts having, at the end opposite to the movable hinge, a needle able to move in a direction perpendicular to the mid-plane of the device, the other part comprising a housing for receiving the needle, the housing comprising lock configured to allow the release of the needle with an opener, wherein the first part has three retractable cages enabling the needle to move between a retracted position where the tip of the needle does not project beyond the internal surface of the first part, and a deployed position in which the needle is engaged in the complementary housing when the device is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: FORS FRANCE
    Inventor: Bruno Bouan
  • Patent number: 9782998
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel anti-theft system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of lock actuators. Each lock actuator is configured to move between a locked state and an unlocked state. Each lock actuator includes a body portion extending along an axis of wheel rotation and at least one locking member configured to engage a portion of the wheel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of wheel rotation when in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Edgar Salazar Fabian, Jesus Guadalupe Castillo, Ricardo Hernandez, Francisco Javier Quintero Pèrez
  • Patent number: 9784026
    Abstract: A safe. A safe lid is connected to a safe box via a hinge. A fascia assembly is connected to the safe lid and a latch assembly is connected to the safe box. The fascia assembly includes a keypad and a fascia assembly locking groove. The latch assembly includes a latch having a fascia assembly locking tab and a lock latch locking tab. The latch assembly also has a lock lever pivotally connected to the latch and the latch assembly. A motor in the latch assembly receives electrical inputs from the keypad. The latch assembly also has a key lock. A lock latch is connected to and controlled by the motor and the key lock. A lock latch reset spring is connected to the lock latch. The safe is locked when the fascia assembly locking tab is inserted into the fascia assembly locking groove and also when the lock latch locking tab is secured behind the lock latch. The safe is unlocked by entering a pass code into the key pad. This caused an electrical signal to be transmitted to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Leslie Ho Leung Chow
  • Patent number: 9765550
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for an inactive door includes a housing configured to receive a locking element from an active door lock. A slide is movably received in the housing and includes a drive bar connection element, wherein when the slide is in an unlocked position, the drive bar connection element is located in a path of travel of the deadbolt, and wherein when the slide is in a locked position, the drive bar connection element is located outside the path of travel of the deadbolt. At least one drive bar at least partially received in the housing and is connected to the drive bar connection element. The drive bar is actuated by an actuator located remote from the housing. A blocking element located within the housing, wherein the blocking element prevents movement of the slide from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Amesbury Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Hemmingsen, Allen Rickenbaugh, Tracy Lammers, Gary E. Tagtow
  • Patent number: 9758989
    Abstract: A locking cap having a push button reset and method for operating the locking cap having a push button reset are disclosed. The locking cap with a push button reset system is a deterrent to keep medications in the correct hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: GATEKEEPER INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Simpson
  • Patent number: 9752353
    Abstract: Receptacle locking devices are disclosed. A receptacle locking device having a contact arm and a pivoting feature can be pivoted from a first, unlocked position to a second, locked position, wherein the contact arm prevents opening of the receptacle door when the locking device is in the second, locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: United States Postal Service
    Inventors: James Edmund Matthews, Joram Shenhar, Terry Martin Gingell, Donald Eugene Irwin, William Albert Tartal
  • Patent number: 9745774
    Abstract: A lock cylinder includes a housing, in which a sleeve having a cylinder core accommodated therein is rotatably supported. The cylinder core has spring-loaded tumblers forming a form closure with recesses arranged in the sleeve when a key engaging the tumblers is removed. Inside the housing, the sleeve is coupled to a coupling element by means of a disengaging sleeve. The coupling element is supported inside the housing and connected to a bearing in a rotationally-fixed manner. The bearing supports an output element. At least one of the sleeve and the coupling element forms a form closure with the bearing to block the rotation of the output element if an improper object is used in operative connection with the cylinder core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: HUF HUSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Löw