Patents Examined by Dinesh N Melwani
  • Patent number: 6964439
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device includes a frame equipped on a vehicle door panel and a handgrip mounted on the frame and rotatable about a rotation center portion at one end portion of the handgrip. A second end portion of the handgrip forms an operation portion linked with a door lock mechanism. The handgrip is adapted to be rotated within a predetermined angle around the rotation center portion to operate the door lock mechanism when the operation portion is pulled away from the frame. A restriction mechanism is also provided to restrict chattering and/or dislocation of the handgrip from the frame. The restriction mechanism includes a projection and a groove provided between the frame and the handgrip. The projection is slidable in the groove during rotation of the handgrip and is able to contact a boundary of the groove in the inserting direction of the handgrip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Morihito Nomura, Kouji Ooe, Kouichi Nagata, Atsushi Kamiya, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6793222
    Abstract: An oil scraper piston ring includes an inner circumferential surface; an outer circumferential surface adapted to contact and slide along an inner wall of an engine cylinder; a radial wall thickness defined by a radial distance between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces; and a plurality of circumferentially distributed recesses each extending radially from the inner circumferential surface toward the outer circumferential surface to reduce the radial wall thickness. Each recess has a first recess region open at the inner circumferential surface and extending radially toward the outer circumferential surface and a second recess region merging into the first recess region. The two recess regions have different shapes, and the area of the second recess region is larger than the area of the first recess region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Burscheid GmbH
    Inventors: Evangelos Katsaounis, Mario Solia
  • Patent number: 6772484
    Abstract: A high-strength mounting structure is used for attaching a resin article to a body panel. The resin molded article has an elongated main body and a pair of mount ribs formed in several spots intermittently in a longitudinal direction. A protrusion is provided at a distal end of each of the mount ribs. A clip has latch claws for engaging the protrusions of the mount ribs, and a slip-proof lug is located opposite to each latch claw to resist release the latch claws from the protrusions. In addition, the clip has an engagement section engaged with a body panel at a side facing the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., LTD
    Inventors: Tetsuya Miyano, Daiichiro Kawashima, Tomokazu Nishikawa, Sadao Nada, Moriyoshi Takagi, Toshiro Shibagaki
  • Patent number: 6755448
    Abstract: A blowout latch is provided to latch a first panel to a second panel. The latch is coupled to the first panel and engaged with the second panel. The latch includes a biasing mechanism which is disengagable under pressure to move the first panel relative to the second panel. The latch may also be selectively disengaged with a lesser force than that required to overcome the biasing mechanism by bypassing the biasing mechanism. When manually disengaged, the latch maintains a biasing load on a bolt of the latch. A trigger of the latch is provided to bypass the biasing mechanism and disengage a roller assembly of the latch from the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Hartwell Corporation
    Inventors: Frank T. Jackson, Timothy Scott Rozema
  • Patent number: 6742820
    Abstract: A lock includes an inner assembly, an outer assembly, and a latch mechanism. The inner assembly includes an inside lever handle, an inside spindle, and an inside rose. The outer assembly includes an outside lever handle, an outside spindle, and an outside rose liner from which two engaging posts extend. The latch mechanism includes a housing and a latch bolt. A reinforcing plate includes two pegs respectively extending through two positioning holes of the housing. The reinforcing plate further includes a central hole through which the outside spindle extends. The reinforcing plate further includes a pair of slots through which the engaging posts extend. Two fasteners are extended through the inside rose liner and engaged with the engaging posts. Each of the inside lever handle and the outside lever handle are located in a position that inclines upward and at 45 degrees with a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 6736433
    Abstract: A device for locking at least two protective doors of an industrial machine, in particular an injection molding machine, is disclosed. The device includes a momentary contact switch, a sensor device for recognizing a closed state of the protective doors and a mechanical lock with an actuator that engages with an associated receiving device on one door. At least one non-energizable actuator is provided that engages with a receiving device associated with another protective door. In this way, several protective doors can be locked simultaneously, in particular a closing door and a discharge door of an injection molding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Günter Schwesig
  • Patent number: 6712405
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle, e.g., a snowmobile, includes a latch and a base. The latch is resiliently coupled to the base using a resilient member, for example, a ring-shaped member. The latch is movable, e.g., pivotable, between first and second stable positions. In the first stable position, the latch can be inserted through an aperture in the base, and in the second stable position, the latch can be moved or pivoted to secure the base with respect to the latch. The base may be attached to a cover member for an engine compartment of the vehicle. In the second stable position, a tab of the latch engages against a first engageable surface of the base, and portion of the latch opposite the tab includes a second engagement surface that cooperates with a second engageable surface provided on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-François Desmarais, Philip Godfrey
  • Patent number: 6709034
    Abstract: There is provided an improved sliding door handle assembly having a spring operated integral push button locking mechanism. Specifically, the improved sliding door handle assembly is comprised of a handle assembly including an upper handle section and a lower handle section, and a push button assembly. The upper handle section is recessed so as to incorporate the push button assembly and includes an opening for insertion of a cylindrical locking pin. The locking pin is spring-biased so as to move between a first position for locking the handle and a second position for unlocking the handle. The lower handle section is curved to facilitate gripping the door handle. The push button assembly includes a housing member and a push button member. The push button assembly has an opening to receive a push button member that is movable so as to engage and disengage the locking pin for locking and unlocking the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Alex Michael
  • Patent number: 6695361
    Abstract: The latch assembly of the present invention is adapted for use on motor vehicles, such as agricultural and construction vehicles, recreation vehicles, utility and emergency vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks. The latch assembly includes a housing with a rotor and catch rotatably mounted therein for movement between open and closed positions for releasing and retaining a striker bolt on the door. Holes in the housing allow the housing to be mounted either internally or externally to the door frame. The rotor and catch are impregnated with a lubricant to minimize friction and extend the life of the latch assembly. A grease block is also provided within the housing to inhibit entry of contaminants, such as dirt, water, and the like, so as to further extend the life of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Tri/Mark Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Gleason, Christopher J. Lane, David Alcantara
  • Patent number: 6682109
    Abstract: A door latching mechanism comprises two oppositely-directed, vertically-slideable rods adapted to engage at their outer ends respectively with the top and bottom of a door frame, and a main latch member adapted to engage with a keeper provided on or in the side of the door frame, the latching mechanism comprising a push rod actuating assembly which is connected between the inner ends of the push rods and is engaged by the main latch member, and is so arranged, in use, to urge the push rods in opposite outward directions on latching engagement of the main latch member with the door side frame, the push rod actuating assembly comprising an actuating assembly housing in or on which is mounted first and second gear pinions that are respectively meshed with vertically slideable oppositely-directed push rod bars connected to the respective inner ends of the push rods, the pinions being meshed with respective racks provided on opposite sides of a slider which is slideable substantially horizontally relative to the h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: APW Ltd.
    Inventors: David Horne, Neil C. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6675446
    Abstract: A two-piece slider for a lanyard is adapted to be assembled for sliding on a lanyard cord. The slider has features to restrain the pieces from relative rotation. Such features include a recess/protrusion combination having non-circular shape, an off-center pin/hole combination, or the slots in which the lanyard is placed adapted to restrict rotation. The slider has a flat surface with a rim around it for receiving a customer selected logo or design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: J.A.M. Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce J. Buettell
  • Patent number: 6669246
    Abstract: A lock for a door comprising a casing, a bolt operable to extend from or retract into the casing and manually operable bolt retention means to retain the bolt in its retracted state even when an automatically operating bolt holding member is released by inwards movement of a bolt release member. The bolt retention means comprises a snib having a part receivable in an opening in the bolt when the bolt is manually moved into the case from its normally retracted position. Once the snib part is in the opening and the inwards force on the bolt removed, the spring acting on the bolt moves the bolt to its normally retracted position, where it is then retained by the snib. To release the retention, the bolt is again moved further into the case, whereupon the snib part is moved clear of the bolt opening under spring bias, and the unretained bolt is moved by its bias to its normally retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Banham Patent Lock Limited
    Inventor: Brian Edward Cowper
  • Patent number: 6669241
    Abstract: A door latch opening system for providing efficient and convenient opening of a door latch. The door latch opening system includes an engaging member have a broad engaging area, a receiver member attached to the rear portion of the engaging member, and a coupler member attached within the receiver member. The coupler member has a coupler slot that snugly fits about the door latch handle effectively securing the engaging member to the door latch handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Drew Kelley
  • Patent number: 6669248
    Abstract: A latch includes an attaching part rotationally attached to an attached part, a base plate connected to the attaching part to rotate together with the attaching part on the attached part, and a push-push type cam part connected to the base plate on a side opposite to the attaching part. Elastic pieces are formed to cooperate with the base plate for locating the base plate to a predetermined position while allowing the base plate to rotate together with the attaching part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yuichi Shirase
  • Patent number: 6659514
    Abstract: An electromechanical interlock for a swinging elevator door is disclosed. The interlock comprises a pivotal hook member that may be attached to a swinging elevator door. The hook has a beak end and may pivot between a locked and an unlocked position. Disposed on the beak end is an electrical conductor. When the interlock is in the locked position, the beak end engages a lug and the conductor contacts electrical contacts to complete an electrical circuit. A solenoid pivots the hook from a locked position to an unlocked position. The electromechanical interlock may be adapted for use with sliding elevator doors as well as swinging doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Thyssen Elevator Capital Corp.
    Inventor: Patrick M. Bass
  • Patent number: 6641186
    Abstract: A door lock assembly includes a rose having a peripheral flange which has a recess defined therein. A handle is connected to an outer surface of said rose and a mounting plate is connected to said inner surface of said rose. A lock device is located between the rose and the mounting plate. Two retaining members extend from an inner surface of said rose and two engaging members extend from said mounting plate. The engaging members are force-fitted to said retaining members. The mounting plate has a groove defined therethrough so that the lock device is engaged with said groove and a latch is connected to said lock device and extends through said recess of said peripheral flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Miao-Hsueh Tsai
  • Patent number: 6629711
    Abstract: The universal logic assembly of the present invention is non-handed so as to be adapted for use both left-hand and right-hand vehicle door structures. The logic assembly includes a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to the inside of the door structure, with the latch assembly sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of lever arms are pivotally mounted on the bracket, with each arm having opposite front and back sides. A plurality of clips are mounted on the lever arms to receive rods and/or cables from the door handles and lock mechanism so as to control the opening and closing of the latch. The clips can be mounted from both the front and back sides of the arms, such that the logic assembly is a non-handed universal product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Tri/Mark Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Gleason, David Alcantara, Kenneth William Bryant
  • Patent number: 6607221
    Abstract: A sliding latch and locking mechanism, for windows and doors, whereby the latching mechanism provides a means for discrete position retention of a sliding window or door and provides an increased measure of security. The latching system combines four modes of operation i.e. lock, close only, raise (free sliding), and tilt to provide angular pivoting of window sash, that allow three levels of security, i.e. fully locked, close only with discrete positions maintained, and raise or lower without discrete positions maintained (free sliding). The latching system security levels are accomplished by means of a selector knob positioned to the desired mode of operation. Also, a mechanism is integrated to provide interlocking in the fully closed position with the upper or adjacent window or door sash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Gordon W. Elliott
  • Patent number: 6598910
    Abstract: A fastener for a closure. The fastener has a friction joint which couples first (10) and second (23) elements such that rotational movement there between can occur. The friction joint has a head fastener (28) and a sleeve (24) to which an end load is applied upon axial movement of the fastening taking place during coupling of the first and second elements (10, 23). This end load causes the sleeve (24) to collapse. The fastener has a wedge element (37) mounted for rectilinear movement in a direction substantially transversed to the axis of rotational movement of the friction joint. A drive arrangement (35) couples the wedge element (37) with the second element (23) such that rotation of the second element (23) is translated into the rectilinear movement of the wedge element (37). A removable handle (44) couples via fingers (49) to second element (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Interlock Group Limited
    Inventors: Duncan Duff McGregor, Aaron Goldsbury
  • Patent number: 6588810
    Abstract: A closing device with selective locking for closing a frame includes a roughly flat lid selectively applied to the frame, a lock connected with the lid, and a key which has a socket and an arm, one end of the arm carrying the socket. The lid has an opening for access to the lock by the key, the lock has a latch which cooperates with a catch of the frame, and the key selectively assumes, with respect to an opening, a locking position which the key can leave freely and in which the latch is trapped by the catch, and an unlocking position in which the key is trapped in the opening and in which the latch is disengaged from the catch. The arm and the socket of the key are roughly perpendicular to one another, and the arm is roughly perpendicular to the lid when the key is in the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Norinco
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Monneret