Patents Examined by Darnell M. Boucher
  • Patent number: 5879036
    Abstract: A door interlock includes a pivot arm having a door lock position, a door unlock position, and a latch recess. A latch has a door lock position against the pivot arm, a door unlock position releasing the pivot arm, and a latch projection. A latch operating solenoid is the only solenoid mechanically linked to the latch. A capacitor is supplied by a power supply and is arranged to pulse the latch operating solenoid without pulling down the power supply. The pulsing of the latch operating solenoid by the capacitor causes the latch operating solenoid to move the latch projection of the latch into and out of the latch recess of the pivot arm so that a door is locked and unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Steven S. Moline, William J. Quandt
  • Patent number: 5878608
    Abstract: A locking slide latch comprises components that are easily assembled without the need for separate fasteners or adhesives. A preferred latch comprises a gripable base member having a spring member mounted thereon, a locking member rotatably mounted on the spring member and a rotatable lock plug mounted in the spring member and contacting the locking member. These components are assembled together without the use of separate fasteners or adhesives, thereby simplifying assembly and allowing for interchangeability of parts to meet varying latch requirements. The latches are preferably manufactured from corrosion resistant materials such as plastics, composites and corrosion resistant metals, and are highly suitable for use in automotive, recreational vehicle and marine applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Alyanakian
  • Patent number: 5878612
    Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated lock is disclosed, which includes a lock bolt with a turnpin. An electromagnet is used as a retaining magnet, the electromagnet including a controlling and locking mechanism for locking or releasing the lock bolt. A control slide moves a control cam, a locking slide has a turnway, and a cross slide is coupled to the electromagnet with the locking slide. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a handling mechanism is used for actuating the lock bolt and for driving the control slide moving the control cam, the cross slide coupled to the electromagnet and the locking slide, so that the turnpin of the lock bolt immerses in the turnway of the locking slide. In an alternative, preferred embodiment, a tumbler lock mechanism is used, instead of the handling mechanism, and includes a double-bit key, so that both a key and a coded command are required for opening the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mauer GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Mauer
  • Patent number: 5878609
    Abstract: The invention is based on the principle that the antitheft device has a body of a hard material which cannot be easily cut through and which covers the points of connection of at least one rib with the steering wheel rim and the steering wheel hub. As a result, even though the uncovered rim portion or uncovered ribs are cut through, the device still preserves its antitheft functions, and the vehicle remain non-steerable. The body of the device has a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration so that the device can be hooked up over the wheel rim and then locked to the rim by a lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Mark Gorokhovsky, Gennady Gorokhovsky
  • Patent number: 5873275
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel lock which is adjustable to accommodate various sized wheels on a vehicle and/or the steering wheel of the vehicle, and includes a two-part base, one-part insertable into the other part, two arms extending in a U-shaped fashion from the base, the distal ends of the U-shaped arms curving inward toward each other, with a serrated locking bracket positioned internal to and attached to one of the insertable bases, and a cylinder-type lock positioned internal to and attached to the opposed base, wherein the width of the lock, that is the distance between the opposed arms, may be adjusted for placement of the lock around tires of various sizes and on to a wheel, and/or a steering wheel, and for placing the lock in a position whereby the lock may be locked, thereby immobilizing the vehicle wheel or steering wheel and preventing theft of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Walter Vojin Lukich
  • Patent number: 5870913
    Abstract: A key device having a key coil (75a) disposed in a key (75) inserted into a key cylinder (2). Vehicle coils (5a to 5d) which are disposed on a vehicle and to be magnetically coupled with the key coil (75a) perform supply of an electric power and air-propagation communication, thereby reading code information transmitted from the key (75a) . The coils are configured in such a manner that the vehicle coils (5a to 5d) are disposed in the vicinity of a key insertion slot (2a) of the key cylinder (2) so that an induction magnetic field is generated in a substantially upper half portion of the key insertion slot or in a pair of lateral portions on both the sides of the key cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Tadao Kohzu
  • Patent number: 5870911
    Abstract: A lock for meter boxes and similar enclosures includes an outer case with a central bore mounted on an electric meter box. Inside the bore are two extrusions of unequal length spaced 90 degrees apart. A sleeve having a deep bore is held in the case by a screw, and a spring assembly transmits motion from the screw to the sleeve. The sleeve includes a flange at its end with an arcuate cutout portion which spans both extrusions. The sleeve further includes several internal grooves for retaining a barrel type lock which prevents access to the screw. A heavy cover plate is welded to the top of the sleeve so that it overlays and retains the door of the meter box. To unlock the meter box lock, the barrel lock is removed to allow access to the screw. As the screw is unscrewed, the sleeve moves with the screw until the flange on the sleeve clears the shorter extrusion. The sleeve then rotates with the screw until the flange engages the longer extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Norman Binz DeWalch
  • Patent number: 5868446
    Abstract: An adjustable gate latch has a striker bar and a latch component including a base with a track. The latch assembly slides along the track when engaged by a striker that is out of line with the latch member. This automatically compensates for relative movement between the gate and the associated gate posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: New Line Products Inc.
    Inventor: William Rossmo
  • Patent number: 5868015
    Abstract: A multiple access locking device is provided which is capable of being opened by any different number of users. The device includes first and second receptacle members and an elongate locking bar which, when removed from the receptacle members, allows the receptacle members to be moved relative to each other. The first receptacle member includes a tab with an opening therein and the elongate locking bar includes a similar tab with an opening. A plurality of coupling segments are placed on the locking bar between the tabs of the first receptacle member and locking bar. The coupling segments are identically configured and define a pair of radially extending tabs each having an opening for receiving a lock. Accordingly, a plurality of locks is placed through the respective openings and any one lock can unlock the multiple access device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: David Andrew Eaker
  • Patent number: 5865480
    Abstract: A latch for maintaining a sliding door in one of several modes such as a child-safety mode. When in the child-safety mode, the range of motion of the sliding door is restricted, however, the latch may be disengaged by an adult from either side of the sliding door. The latch may also be employed in a security mode to prevent any opening of the sliding door from the exterior side. The latch may additionally be employed in a ventilation mode wherein the sliding door is slightly opened with overriding of the latch available only from the interior of the sliding door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventors: Lincoln Grady Bain, Jr., Lincoln Grady Bain, III
  • Patent number: 5865043
    Abstract: A padlock concept consisting of a novel shackle comprised of two tapered shackle elements arranged so that they overlay each other to enclose and opening sufficient to accept the sample of a hasp or attachment device. The shackle elements are connected at one end and when unlocked and unlatched are free to move apart, in a motion causing the two shackle elements to separate, providing a clearance between them, at the unconnected end. Each shackle element includes an opening to allow the staple of the hasp to pass to the common opening. This clearance occurs in opposing elements so that when the elements are brought together or closed the staple of the hasp is completely enclosed by the two shackle elements which substantially fill the space available within the hasp staple. The elements are then latched and locked to provide the security function of a padlock engaged with the staple of a hasp or attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Robert W. Loughlin
  • Patent number: 5865485
    Abstract: A door locking system is provided including a pair of doors of a vehicle adapted to pivot outward for allowing access to a cab. Each door has a slot for receiving a sliding window therein. A pair of hollow rigid tubes of a common length include a first tube and a second tube. In use, a first end of the first tube is slidably situated within a first end of the second tube. A locking mechanism is connected between the tubes for selectively fixing a combined length thereof. As such, the tubes are extended such that second ends of the tubes are connected to the doors and further the locking mechanism is used to secure the same therebetween to preclude the doors from being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Jesse H. Lawhorne, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5865482
    Abstract: A magnetic lock device easily can be fastened to a fastening member on an object or article such as the flap of a handbag, thereby saving labor costs incurred in fastening the device to the object. Also, any thickened portion that may occur on a fastening member when the device is fastened to the object can be minimized. The magnetic lock device includes a first element incorporating a permanent magnet that acts as a magnetically attracting part and a second element that acts as a magnetically attracted part. The second element includes an attachment having pointed lugs shaped like saw teeth. A receiver having a curled edge formed as an arc in cross section inside and around a peripheral margin of a fastening side receives the pointed lugs extending through the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Application Art Laboratories Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 5862692
    Abstract: A safe door lock with a servo motor operated cam is described. A retracting lever is pivotally secured to the locking bolt and is displaced on a pivot connection with the bolt by the cam. The position of the cam and the bolt are detected by microswitches. When the retracting lever is in a locking position, the bolt cannot be retracted within the lock housing. The cam is operated by a servo motor and locked in position by the gear train which includes a worm gear. The locking bolt may be a slam bolt having a spring biased latch which slides therewith or the locking bolt may be a deadbolt when the lock is used with a boltwork system of a vault door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: C.L. Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Legault, Claude Legault, Pierre Deguire
  • Patent number: 5862688
    Abstract: A locking device (1), especially suitable for clamping onto motor vehicle wheels. It consists of a generally elongate lock case (2) and a first and second grip arm (3, 4), each connected to one end of the lock case. The grip arms (3, 4) are designed to grip from opposite sides at least partly around the edge of the wheel so that the lock case (2) lies essentially parallel to the axis of the wheel. The first grip claw (4) is slideably received in the lock case (2). The novelty of the invention resides in that in the lock case (2) there is provided a toothed bar (11) connected at one end to one of the grip claws (3), which, when the lock is in a locked state, engages with a check pawl (14). The check pawl (14) is operatively connected to the second grip claw (4). The lock case may also be equipped with a spring (17) for drawing together the two grip claws (3, 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Kjell Otto .O slashed.deg.ang.rd
  • Patent number: 5857417
    Abstract: A coin vault assembly for a self service air machine for gasoline stations. The coin vault assembly is part of a vertical base of the air machine. There is a recess in the vertical base which houses the coin vault assembly at a depth which can not be actively tampered by hacksaw, chisel, etc. The coin vault assembly has a rectangular shape with an open end covered by a pivoted removable door that pivots in a slot in the coin vault. There is a lock extension which passes thorough a slot in the door to receive a padlock. A crescent shaped lock protector further protects the lock from tampering or forced action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Arthur T. Hart
  • Patent number: 5852944
    Abstract: A remotely controllable locking mechanism for a combination key-operated deadbolt lock and door knob latching lock for a door. A housing for the operating parts is inserted in a mortised pocket or cavity in the latch edge of the door. The electronics to operate the mechanism sends a signal to a receiver installed in the wall near the locks. Power is supplied to solenoids to simultaneously activate the locking and unlocking mechanisms of the deadbolt and the door knob latching lock. Manual key overrides are provided for the deadbolt and for the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Stephen C. Cohen
    Inventors: Thomas H. Collard, Jr., Larry D. Pechacek
  • Patent number: 5850753
    Abstract: A controllable catch mechanism is installed in the door frame of hotel room to engage both a spring-biased latch and a deadbolt associated with the room door. The position of the deadbolt is sensed or a requirement for privacy is otherwise indicated with a switch within the room. An alphanumeric keyboard external to the room allows entry of access codes. If an authorized guest code is entered, a microprocessor-based controller unlocks the catch mechanism regardless of the privacy requirement. The guest code can be changed by the guest, as desired. If a cleaner enters a universal access code, the controller unlocks the catch mechanism only if the bolt is unlocked or no privacy requirement is indicated. Special override codes are provided that unlock the catch mechanism regardless whether the bolt is locked, permitting security staff to handle emergencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Shivendra Varma
  • Patent number: 5848540
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column lock includes a drove rod element extending axially along a bore within the housing of the steering column lock for actuating a steering column locking bolt member in accordance with known steering column lock mechanisms. The drive rod element of the steering column lock is provided with a radial projection that cooperates with a radial wall of an enlarged recess of the bore extending through the lock housing for preventing axial withdrawal of the drive rod element from the housing and also includes an axial locking projection that is spring biased into a locking recess for preventing relative rotation between the drive rod element and the housing when the steering column lock is transported or stored without a lock cylinder installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Friedrich Pieper
  • Patent number: 5845947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded plastic lever for a door latch, and more particularly, provides a serviceable retainer bushing for connecting an operating rod to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Danielle Elizabeth Arabia