Patents Examined by Justin B Rephann
  • Patent number: 11518519
    Abstract: The invention relates mainly to a closure device, notably for closing a passage formed in a cabin of an aircraft, comprising: a support means that is able to slide along a slideway in a sliding direction, a closing wall that is able to close off the passage, and a locking system that is able to take up a locked state, in which the locking system ensures a mechanical connection between the closing wall and the support means, such that the closing wall is movable with the support means in the sliding direction, characterized in that, notably in the case of a malfunction, the locking system is able to pass into an unlocked state, in which the closing wall is disconnected from the support means, such that the closing wall is movable on its own in the sliding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Seats
    Inventors: Bastien Bonnefoy, Patrick Herault
  • Patent number: 11519219
    Abstract: A secure sliding closure having a modular frame and one or more sliding door is described. The modular frame defines at least one secure cavity and a portal and comprises a main frame and at least one door frame. The main frame comprises at least one frame upright spaced apart from at least one portal upright and a respective at least one top plate extending between the at least one frame upright and the at least one portal upright. The at least one door frame comprising a locking side upright spaced apart from a secure cavity upright and a door frame top plate. The modular frame defines at least one secure cavity and defines a portal. The one or more sliding door comprises a sliding leaf and a sliding leaf covering, the covering comprising one or more sliding door security panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: KDB Intellectual Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Timothy Riva Everett
  • Patent number: 11512527
    Abstract: A gate apparatus that includes a gate, an elongate member or gate base for the ends of the gate, and a stairway post adapter such that a wooden stairway post can serve as a base for a gate without harming the wood of the stairway post. The stairway post adapter includes a vertical or longitudinally running channel for receiving the gate base, a horizontally or laterally extending channel for receiving a strap, and a recess or receptor or face for confronting a section of a stairway post. The gate base includes an upper and lower eyelet. Each of the ends of the gate includes upper and lower pins for engaging the upper and lower eyelets of the gate bases. On the hinge side of the gate, the pins are relatively long and remain in the eyelets as the gate is lifted and swung. On the latch side of the gate, the pins are relatively short such that that latch side of the gate can be lifted and disengaged from the eyelets and then swung open. The gate is extendable and retractable in length, and is reversible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Lyle H. Rogalla
  • Patent number: 11505982
    Abstract: A device for a closure drive assembly can include: a moveable trolley, the trolley configured for movement along a track or a rail under drive by a drive component to move a closure between an open position and a closed position, the trolley including a body having a guiding surface; a rotating body having one or more camming surfaces, rotation of the rotating body about a rotation axis being supported by the guiding surface; and a lever having a lever camming surface configured to engage with one or more of the camming surfaces of the rotating body, wherein the lever is associated with an engagement member such that rotation of the lever moves the lever camming surface along the one or more rotating body camming surfaces to displace the engagement member, and wherein the engagement member is arranged to provide selective engagement between the moveable trolley and the drive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: George Matthews, Raymond Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11486175
    Abstract: A wedge for keeping an appliance access door open to air dry at selectable minimum angles. The wedge attaches through a magnetic connection to any portion of the threshold of the access door for controlling the minimum angle. The wedge has a low profile so that the wedge does not protrude from the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Gerald Victor Oldknow, Michelle Chong Oldknow
  • Patent number: 11473366
    Abstract: A sliding door system and method is used in an enclosure that defines an inner area shielded against a High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (“HEMP”). The HEMP shielded sliding door system includes an RF shielding door frame, an RF shielding door leaf mounted within an mechanical door leaf frame, a mechanical insertion and retraction assembly attached to both the mechanical door leaf frame and RF shielding door leaf and that operates to extend and retract the RF shielding door leaf into and out of the RF shielding door frame, a drive tube assembly operable to interact with and open and close mechanical door leaf frame (along with RF shielding door leaf) in a sliding motion, and a control assembly, including motor and an air regulator assembly. HEMP shielding air seals are activated when the RF shielding door leaf is inserted into the RF shielding door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Gaven Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Gaviglia
  • Patent number: 11473368
    Abstract: A cover device for covering the angle formed between the edge of a hinged door and a door frame includes first and second elongate bodies, each body having substantially parallel sides and divided by hinge lines parallel to the sides into a plurality of elongate panels. The first body is mountable at one end to the door, and the second body is mountable at one end to a frame relative to which the door hinges. The hingeable connection between the bodies is by at least one longitudinal channel and at least one longitudinal protrusion which locates within the channel to be removeably held within it but able to move longitudinally with respect to it, and thereby to act as a hinge whilst enabling the relative longitudinal movement between the elongate bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Phrixos Prodromou
  • Patent number: 11473341
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sliding window emergency opening system, comprising: an emergency opening device (2) and a general opening control device (3); wherein a first rotary shaft (202) in the emergency opening device is rotatably mounted on a first base (201); a first pulling cable (206) is wound around the first rotary shaft (202), and one end thereof is connected with a movable sash of the sliding window (1); a first ratchet (203) is fixedly connected with the first rotary shaft (202); a first elastic component is compressed to make a first pawl (204) abut against the first ratchet (203); a second rotary shaft (302) in the general opening control device (3) is rotatably mounted on a second base (301); one end of a general control pulling cable (303) is connected with the second rotary shaft (302), and the other end is connected with the first pawl (204); when the second rotary shaft (302) rotates, the general control pulling cable (303) is wound up to make the first pawl (204) detached from the first ratchet (203);
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Changchun Kuoer Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dapeng Chen, Kuotian Liu
  • Patent number: 11466512
    Abstract: A safety gate assembly comprised of the modular and interchangeable components with non-marring surfaces, offering incremental horizontal and vertical adjustability to securely fit within a doorway or other space and without requiring permanent attachment to a doorframe or walls, as well as offering the capability for a stand-alone enclosure with the same features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Beth Morris
  • Patent number: 11466516
    Abstract: A ladder and ladder accessory are provided including an accessory that may be coupled to the ladder in multiple configurations and serve multiple purposes. In one embodiment, a pair of components are each selectively coupled with associated rails of a ladder in a first, stored state, and a second, walkthrough state. When in the walkthrough state, the components extend upwards from and above the rails so that a user may gasp the components and step between the components when transitioning from the ladder to an elevated surface (e.g., a roof) or vice versa. In another embodiment, the components may be coupled to the ladder such that they extend in a direction that is substantially transverse to a plane through which the rails extend. When in this transverse orientation, the components may be used as a stand-off device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: LITTLE GIANT LADDER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley V. Clark, N. Ryan Moss
  • Patent number: 11459817
    Abstract: A barrier for a home is disclosed. The barrier includes two portions that are quickly slideable relative to each other to take expanded and contracted forms. The barrier includes a metal frame and wood panels engaged in the metal frame. Each of the two portions includes at least one wood panel such that, when the barrier portions are slid to and away from each other, the wood panels slide to and away from each other. The barrier includes a corner pet door that opens in the expanded or contracted forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Porter R. Million
  • Patent number: 11459810
    Abstract: A cable recoil device includes a cable recoil device body, a pulley, a pulley yoke, a spring, and a cable. The pulley yoke is mounted to the pulley that is positioned within the cable recoil device body and has a wheel shaped body. The spring is connected to the cable recoil device body and to the pulley yoke. The cable is wound at least partially around a circumference of the wheel shaped body. When the cable recoil device is mounted for use in a device, the first end of the cable is connected to a body of the device and the second end of the cable is connected to a door of the device that moves relative to the body of the device. The spring provides tension on the pulley such that it lengthens when the door is opened and contracts when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Sub-Zero Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Terence Thomas Smith
  • Patent number: 11459818
    Abstract: A barrier that includes four structurally different corner connections for fixing a gate frame of the barrier to and between opposing vertical surfaces. A first connection includes a headed straight pin engaging a pivot hook and socket, a second connection includes a headed straight pin engaging a socket, a third connection includes headless bent pin engaging a socket and a limiter, and a fourth connection includes a headless bent pin engaging a socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Regalo International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Matthew A. Willms
  • Patent number: 11447989
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a hood prop assembly for a vehicle having a hood panel with a slot. The hood prop assembly includes an elongated member, a housing, and a retainer mechanism. The elongated member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the vehicle. The housing includes a cavity. The housing further includes a distal end and a proximate end. The cavity extends axially from the proximate end and receives the second end of the elongated member. The retainer mechanism extends from the distal end of the housing. The housing and the retainer mechanism rotatably move with respect to the second end of the elongated member between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the retainer mechanism engages with the slot to retain the hood panel and in the unlocked position, the retainer mechanism disengages with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: James D. Cunningham, Scott L. Frederick, Paxton S. Williams
  • Patent number: 11446986
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a laminated panel and a reinforcement structure. The laminated panel includes a glass layer and a polymer layer that is laminated with the glass layer. The reinforcement structure extends along and is coupled to an upper perimeter of the polymer layer. When the polymer layer is in tension, the reinforcement structure hinders inward movement of the polymer layer relative to an upper edge of the window assembly. The window assembly is a retractable side window assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Kingman, Donald R. Monroe, Steven H. Klotz, Derek C. Scott
  • Patent number: 11446989
    Abstract: Doors on a vehicle may be controlled by a door positioning system that moves the doors freely and fluidly relative to the body of the vehicle. The doors may include front and rear doors on each side of the vehicle. The door positioning system may control the movement and positioning of each door using a door mechanism coupled between the door and the body of the vehicle. The door positioning system may determine a position or path of motion for each door based on sensor data and user input. The door positioning system may issue corresponding control signals to actuators in the door mechanism to position the door accordingly. For example, the front door may slide open at an angle to accommodate an angled tire. Front and rear doors may open in opposite directions to create a large, unobstructed space for passengers to enter and exit the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Brown, Phillip Michael Hobson, John Raff, Sung H. Kim, Russell C. Mead, Jr., Ronald J. Smith
  • Patent number: 11441342
    Abstract: In the case of a catch arm for a door locker unit, in particular of a vehicle door, with at least one elongated body with at least one catch arm head, arranged at its first end, as an end stop element and at least one opening, arranged at its second end, for articulated pivoting with respect to a bearing on which the catch arm is mounted, the catch arm is formed at least partially from at least one fibre-reinforced plastics material, wherein continuous fibres are provided as fibres of the fibre-reinforced plastics material and at least one thermoplastic material is provided as a matrix material of the at least one fibre-reinforced plastics material and the fibres are arranged as an insert in at least one overmoulding material of the catch arm in the form of at least one thermoplastic prepreg, and wherein layers of fibres in the prepreg comprise two or three-dimensional textile reinforcing composite within the thermoplastic matrix material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: INNOMOTIVE SYSTEMS HAINICHEN GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Hertel, Ulrich Krumbiegel
  • Patent number: 11433986
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide movable barrier, including: a frame having a first side and a second side parallel to the first side; a first exterior panel connected to the first side of the frame and including: a first non-planar profile; and a first plurality of perforations; a second exterior panel connected to the second side of the frame and including: a second non-planar profile; and a second plurality of perforations; a cavity defined between the first exterior panel and the second exterior panel; and a liner disposed within the cavity and configured to: deform when an air pressure differential acting on a first side of the liner exceeds a pressure differential threshold and allow increased airflow through the movable barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas J. Breigenzer, William C. Haas
  • Patent number: 11427066
    Abstract: A door structure includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The inner panel is formed from a panel inner member located on an inner side of a vehicle interior and a panel outer member located on an outer side of the vehicle interior. A sealing member which comes into contact with an A pillar serving as a body side member and isolates the inner side of the vehicle interior from the outer side of the vehicle interior is attached to the panel inner member at an overlap portion serving as a junction between the panel outer member and the panel inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Hirano, Takayuki Soma, Masahiro Tanigawa
  • Patent number: 11421471
    Abstract: The safety systems enhance the safety of confined spaces which can present a danger to human occupants who may become entrapped within the confined space during a dangerous condition. The safety systems are particularly useful with confined spaces having access openings and a door or other movable barrier for the access opening. The safety systems having movable safety gates proximate the access openings. The disclosed safety gates are movable from a closed position where the safety gate forms a physical barrier which inhibits human entry into the confined space to a safety position where the safety gate prevents the door from closing and entrapping a person within the confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventor: Philippe Roe