Patents Examined by Darnell M. Boucher
  • Patent number: 5907962
    Abstract: A computer which includes a computer chassis and a door is disclosed. The chassis includes a slot and the door includes a corresponding slot which are aligned when the door is in the closed position so as to create an opening which extends through the chassis and through the door. A tab assembly is inserted into the opening. The tab assembly includes two tabs which are coupled together such that the tabs may move laterally with respect to each other. The tabs may be moved into an extended position such that they latch the door to the chassis. A padlock may then be inserted into an opening within the tab assembly so as to lock the tab assembly in the extended position and thereby lock the door to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Smithson, Steve Dean
  • Patent number: 5906403
    Abstract: A multipoint lock for securing a door to a door frame includes a tie bar longitudinally movable on the door with two latch members adjustably secured laterally relative thereto. The latch members are modular with hooks for selectively securing to the tie bar and other latch members. A metal face plate is securable over a door side groove with the tie bar movably secured to the plate in the groove at at least two locations by securing members extending through openings in the plate, tie bar and a plastic spacer. The securing members each include a longitudinal body member with parallel longitudinal sides cooperating with a tie bar slot to guide the tie bar. Rivets at ends of the securing members are secured to the plate. A link, pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis, has one arm driveably engaging the tie bar to selectively move the tie bar vertically toward a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Bestler, Marcia K. Blom, Clark A. Velzke
  • Patent number: 5901992
    Abstract: An electromechanical locking mechanism for door leaves whose holding force can be adjusted continuously and which at the same time offers the possibility, when the locking mechanism is energized, of also releasing the closed door from and returning it to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: DORMA GmbH+ Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Winkler
  • Patent number: 5896762
    Abstract: A theft preventing device comprises: a lock unit 11; and a coupling member 12 having both terminals 12a and 12b which are connected to the lock unit 11, at least one of the terminals being separable from the lock unit. In the device, the inside of the coupling member 12 is filled with a fluid including adhesive material, so that, when the coupling member 12 is damaged, the fluid is splashed out of the coupling member 12 whereby the adhesive material is stuck onto an object or objects around the device. Hence, from detection of the adhesive material, it can be determined who has broken it, and it can be confirmed that the lock unit has been locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignees: Alpha Corporation, G.K. Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Iidaka, Koji Umeda
  • Patent number: 5897147
    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: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Alyanakian, Richard E. Schlack
  • Patent number: 5897148
    Abstract: A door latch for latching the vehicle door in the closed position includes a fork bolt pivotally mounted on the latch housing for movement between the latching position engaging a striker in an unlatching position to unlatch from the striker and permit opening of the door. A detent lever is pivotally mounted on the latch housing for movement between an engaging position engaging the fork bolt in its latching position and a disengaging position disengaged from the fork bolt to permit pivoting of the fork bolt to its unlatching position. A spring acts between the detent lever and the latch housing to urge the detent lever to the engaged position. A catch member is provided to retain the detent lever in the disengaged position and block pivoting movement of the detent member to the engaging position in response to absence of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 5894750
    Abstract: A lock includes a casing, a cylindrical rod and a key, the casing having a longitudinal hole for the cylindrical rod received therein. The casing and the cylindrical rod have a main transverse hole device defined radially respectively therein and are in alignment with each other for receiving a main pin device therein, the cylindrical rod having a key hole defined longitudinally therein, at least one offset transverse hole device defined between the key hole and the main transverse hole device which is parallel to the offset transverse hole device so as to communicate with the main transverse hole device and the key hole, the offset transverse hole device having an offset pin device received therein, the offset pin device being lifted by a movement of the key inserted in the key hole to operate the main pin device to open the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Shyan-Tsair Liaw
  • Patent number: 5893594
    Abstract: Disclosed is a security astragal that is secure against unauthorized removal but can be easily removed when authorized so that the door can be subsequently reused without the astragal. The disclosed security astragal includes a security bar that protects against tampering with the door latching mechanism and a protective sheath that secures the security bar from unauthorized removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: Vincent Zarzycki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5890753
    Abstract: A lock mechanism is provided which may actuate both a deadbolt and flush bolts in response to a single lock movement. The mechanism includes a dual element bolt throw and flush bolt actuator, which locks in place in the extended position if the end of the bolt is pressed inwardly. The throw includes a transfer mechanism which translates the horizontal movement of the bolt to vertical movement at the flush bolts. The flush bolts also include a mechanism to limit retraction thereof if the extending end of the flush bolt is exposed to inward directed force. The entire lock mechanism may be actuated by a standard cylindrical lockset having actuating jaws extending therefrom. The lock mechanism case may include an aperture therein, through which the handle housing extends, which aligns the jaws in the handle housing with the rear end of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Mark Weston Fuller
  • Patent number: 5890383
    Abstract: This invention relates to the improvement in an anti-theft device for the gearshift lever of an automotive vehicle equiped with an automatic transmission. This device comprises a sleeve surrounding and firmly engaging a lower portion of the gearshift lever extending vertically upwardly through a slot opening of the flooorboard of the vehicle and is provided with a L-shaped latching member having a vertical arm being pivotally mounted in the sleeve and a horizontal arm which can be lowered into, concealed within and occupying the slot and a locking means having a semi-circular shaft partially intersecting the pivotal joint or hinge of the latching member thereof. The vertical arm is provided with a pair of arcuate notches at the hinge which can be brought to engage the shaft at either the lowered and a raised and upright position respectively. In either of these positions, the latching member can be locked therein by the turn of the shaft to provide the locking and unlocking functions of the anti-theft device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Martin Ming Yang Chang
  • Patent number: 5887915
    Abstract: A rod-type closure for locking switch cabinet doors or like doors or flaps comprises a flat strip rod which is arranged so as to be guided parallel to a door edge, arranged in a bevel space, and having at least one locking part arranged thereon. The closure further comprises a closure element arranged on a door frame for receiving the locking part such that it locks. It further includes an actuating device for longitudinal displacement of the flat strip rod between an opening position and a locking position. The flat strip rod forming the locking part is offset out of its longitudinal plane along at least a part of its longitudinal extension thereby forming an offset portion. The flat strip profile in or adjacent to the offset portion, together with one of its offset or non-offset narrow edges forming a locking surface over which is engaged a hook part of the closure element arranged parallel to the plane of the flat strip rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Patent number: 5887460
    Abstract: A boat propeller lock for boat propellers of the type that include a central shaft with a plurality of outward extending propeller blades, and that attach to the drive shaft of an outboard or inboard/outboard marine motor is provided. In one embodiment, the invention includes a generally U-shaped member consisting of a base member and a pair of parallel arms. A generally C-shaped member having a pair of parallel arms extending perpendicular to the C-shaped member, with one arm extending from each end of the "C" of the C-shaped member. The U-shaped member being adapted so the base member fits the front portion of an outboard or inboard/outboard lower unit with the parallel arms facing aft of the lower unit, and the C-shaped member being positioned over the rear of the marine propeller with the parallel arms facing forward. The parallel arms of the U-shaped member being slidably engagable with the parallel arms of the C-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: Terry L Williams
  • Patent number: 5884513
    Abstract: A combination coin and key holder includes a coin holder housing which has an outline shaped as a vehicle. A closed loop is attached to the coin holder housing, preferably in the front end of the vehicle outline, for connection of a key ring, chain, or other key holding device thereto. A pair of coin slots are provided in the coin holder housing on the bottom side of the vehicle outline, with each slot being dimensioned to hold a specific coin. The coin slots are positioned and configured such that coins inserted thereon are reliably, yet removably retained in place, but such that they protrude sufficiently to have the appearance of a wheel or wheels on the vehicle outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventor: Donald E. Norris
  • Patent number: 5881583
    Abstract: A new BASKETBALL RIM LOCKING COVER for PREVENTING UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A BASKETBALL HOOP. The inventive device includes a cover member having a circular configuration. The cover member has a diameter greater than a diameter of a basketball rim. A pair of diametrically opposed coupling members are secured to the planar lower surface of the cover member disposed inwardly of the peripheral edge for engaging the basketball rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventors: Kenith L. Booker, Bettye J. Booker
  • Patent number: 5881589
    Abstract: A gear driven bolt withdrawal mechanism for an electronic lock is disclosed wherein an electromagnetic device such as an electromagnetic device displaces a partial gear into a position to be engaged by a manual drive. The partial gear, in turn, drives subsequent gears in a gear train to engage a gear with teeth on a rack attached to or a part of the bolt of the lock. The restoration of the bolt is ensured by a physical engagement between a portion of the drive cam and a portion of the bolt to force the bolt to its extended position upon locking; a displaceable slide is disposed in blocking relationship to the bolt whenever the bolt is fully extended to prevent end pressure from displacing the bolt without entry of a valid combination into the electronic controls of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group
    Inventors: Thomas R. Clark, Gerald L. Dawson, Walter R. Evans, James P. Redden
  • Patent number: 5881584
    Abstract: For a mobile door or container, a lock that will hold firm against shock. The lock can be opened using a keypad to turn on a motor that disengages it, or manually, using a key. To disengage the lock, a shockproofer element of the lock includes components that must first be pivoted about one axis and components that must then be pivoted about a second, different axis, usually nearly perpendicular to the first axis. The lock resists opening under shock loading because the two pivoting rotations about different axes must be made to occur in a particular sequence, and cannot occur simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventors: Thomas T. Brunoski, Kenneth A. Rissolo
  • Patent number: 5881585
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously unlocking a locked dead bolt functioning as an auxiliary locking device when a lever of a cylinder door lock is turned from the interior side, in order to promptly and conveniently open a door on the inside. This is possible because an actuating body is installed on the inside for unlocking the dead bolt by rotation of a lever as well as making the lever restore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundae Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eui Shik Kang
  • Patent number: 5881590
    Abstract: The several unassembled parts of a door lock assembly, nested axially within one another, are secured by axial retainer means which engage an aperture in the door lock assembly that is not used to secure inner and outer door lock assemblies to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventor: Steven D. Small
  • Patent number: 5878613
    Abstract: A key control device comprises an access key and lock, and a stored key and lock. The access lock operably receives the access key and is keyed such that when the access key is inserted into the access lock, it becomes movable between an access key release state and an access key capture state. The stored lock operably receives the stored key and is keyed such that when the stored key is received by the stored lock it becomes movable between a stored key release state and a stored key capture state. Only one key can be removed at any given time from either lock and such removal locks the other key against removal so that it is retained by the key control device. The access and stored lock are totally independent and not interconnected in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Secure Concepts, Ltd.
    Inventors: Octavio Tabacchi, Thomas D. Liston
  • Patent number: RE36209
    Abstract: A locking apparatus, particularly desirable for modifying a "push/pull" latch apparatus for a hospital door, by which it may be released from a locked condition by manual effort applied from either side of the door, thus giving an unlocking effect to a door even though its locking has been caused by a manual locking effort applied by the person on the other side of the door.The apparatus has a particularly beneficial use in a large commercial installation such as a hospital, and provides that the lock-releasability may be achieved by a manual effort applied wholly on the outside of the door, as well as the person on the inside of the door being able to either lock or unlock the door; and, although the door may be locked or unlocked from either side, the unlocking component manually operable to lock or unlock the door from the outside is provided to be of such an inconspicuous nature that it would be realistically considered to not be a component with a door-unlocking effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Donald L. Walls