Patents Examined by Kristina R Fulton
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Patent number: 11519196Abstract: A handle assembly for an access panel is described and includes a center body portion; first and second handles rotatably connected to the center body portion such that the handles are rotatable toward each other to a first position and away from each other to a second position; and a gear assembly for connecting the first and second handles to the center body portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.Inventors: William Anthony Amante, Arunkumar Koppa Siddalingappa, Darpan Bansal
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Patent number: 11519201Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism, which essentially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl, and further comprising an actuation lever mechanism acting on the locking mechanism, and an inertia element. Said inertia element, during normal operation, follows a movement of the actuation lever mechanism. At high accelerations, for example in the event of a crash, the inertia element blocks the actuation lever mechanism acting on the locking mechanism. According to the invention, an elastic damping element is connected to the actuation lever mechanism. Said damping element abuts the inertia element at least in the event of a crash for the purpose of damping vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Kiekert AGInventors: Carsten Fuchs, Dirk Eichel
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Patent number: 11519204Abstract: An opening control has a case and a handle mounted so as to tilt about an axis relative to the case between at least one rest position and an ejected position, a lever for pivoting the handle in ejection and/or retraction and electrical actuation element of the pivot lever. The lever is configured to pivot about an axis common to the handle and has a member for elastically returning into a return position in which it is adapted to retain the handle in its rest position. The actuation element is configured to make the lever pivot against the return force of the return member so as to drive in its rotational movement the handle from its rest position to its ejected position.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: AKWEL VIGO SPAIN SLInventors: Delmiro Javier Couto Maquieira, Alberto Diez Estevez, Javier Casal Gomez, Jose Oscar Vazquez Carballo, Julio Garcia Rodriguez
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Patent number: 11512508Abstract: The control comprises a handle flush mounted in a support and a kinematic chain for driving the handle in movement, comprising at least one rotary element for driving the handle in angular movement and at least one driving member configured to accumulate mechanical energy by mechanical work during a push-in action of the handle and to restitute mechanical energy to the drive kinematic chain after release of the handle. The handle includes a means for stabilizing the kinematic chain configured to limit the angulation of the rotary element of the chain during the push-in of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: AKWEL VIGO SPAIN SLInventors: Delmiro Javier Couto Maquieira, Alberto Diez Estevez, Javier Casal Gomez, Jose Oscar Vazquez Carballo, Julio Garcia Rodriguez
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Patent number: 11512510Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure panel includes a housing; a ratchet pivotably mounted for movement between striker capture and a striker release positions; a release lever, and a pawl assembly. Pawl assembly includes a first and second pawls. First pawl is pivotably mounted to housing for movement about a first pivot axis between ratchet checking and ratchet releasing positions in response to movement of release lever. Second pawl is pivotably mounted to first pawl for movement about a second pivot axis spaced from first pivot axis. Second pawl is engaged with ratchet locking surface while first pawl is in the ratchet checking position to releasably maintain ratchet in the striker capture position. Second pawl is pivotal relative to first pawl about second pivot axis when first pawl pivots toward the ratchet releasing position to allow ratchet to pivot to the striker release position.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.Inventor: Franco Giovanni Ottino
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Patent number: 11512503Abstract: An inside handle device of a vehicle includes a handle base and a cable holding case. The inside handle device is connected to a door latch device fixed to a door via a cable device in which an inner cable is inserted into an outer cable, and is configured to remotely control the door latch device. The handle base is configured to swingably support a handle body. The handle body includes an operation portion capable of being operated from a front surface at one end portion and a cable connection recessed portion opening to a back surface direction at another end portion. The cable holding case includes a cable fixing portion configured to fix one end of the outer cable.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATIONInventor: Mitsuo Nishizuka
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Patent number: 11505973Abstract: A spring assembly for a handle set assembly includes a housing and a gear rotatably positioned within the housing. The gear has a default position and at least one actuated rotated position. The spring assembly includes at least one rack positioned within the housing. The at least one rack is movable in a rack displacement direction that is normal to the axis of rotation of the gear in response to rotation of the gear between a neutral position and a displaced position. The spring assembly includes a slider positioned at a first end of the at least one rack, the slider being slidable along the rack displacement direction. The spring assembly includes at least one spring captured between the housing and slider. The at least one spring is positioned to apply a spring force to the at least one rack toward the neutral position when the at least one rack is in the displaced position.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.Inventors: Eric Xin, James Lin
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Patent number: 11499349Abstract: A motor vehicle Bowden cable arrangement, in particular for application in the event of and in conjunction with motor vehicle door locks. The Bowden cable arrangement has a core and a sheath which accommodates the core. Moreover, a spring is implemented between the sheath and an abutment. The abutment is formed on or in a support which is preferably mounted flying on the sheath.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Kiekert AGInventors: Michael Scholz, Ömer Inan, Manuel Reusch
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Patent number: 11499344Abstract: The disclosure relates to a magnetic-actuation latch device. The magnetic-actuation latch device includes a housing, a latch element, a sliding plate, an elastic component, a rotating element and a limitation element. A lateral opening of the housing spatially corresponds a first magnetic block mounted on a fixed component. When a second magnetic block of the latch element is aligned to the first magnetic block, an actuation force is generated to drive the latch element to pass through the lateral opening and engage with the fixed component. The elastic component is connected between the sliding plate and the housing. When the rotating element is rotated by an external force, the sliding plate is driven to misalign the second magnetic block from the first magnetic block, and the latch element does not pass through the lateral opening. The limitation element is pivotally connected to the housing for blocking the rotating element.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Inventor: Wen-Fong Jean
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Patent number: 11499352Abstract: A control mechanism for controlling a door handle movable between a normal position in which the handle is flush with the door and a working position in which the handle protrudes from the door includes a first lever mounted so as to pivot about a first shaft supported by the handle, a second lever mounted so as to pivot about a second shaft supported by the handle in parallel to the first shaft and at a distance from the first shaft in a longitudinal direction of the handle, and a link rod having ends connected to the first lever and to the second lever by articulated links. At least one of the articulated links has play in a longitudinal direction of the link rod, and the first lever, the second lever, the link rod, and the handle form a deformable quadrilateral, the deformation of which moves of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: U-Shin Italia, S.pA.Inventor: Anthony Guerin
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Patent number: 11492823Abstract: A door handle includes door handle case, a first detection electrode and a second detection electrode disposed in the door handle case, and a controller connected to the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode. The controller separately measures a first capacitance between the first detection electrode and an operation body and a second capacitance between the second detection electrode and the operation body, and the controller determines whether a locking operation is performed by the operation body based on one or both of the first capacitance and the second capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Takashi Sasaki, Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Yuzuru Kawana, Yukimitsu Yamada, Daisuke Takai, Heishiro Fudo
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Patent number: 11486173Abstract: Systems and methods for a fluidic elastomer actuator-based handle is provided. A processor determines when a person is approaching a vehicle door and, in response to determining a person is approaching the vehicle door, the processor determines if the door handle is necessary based on a determined intent of the person. If the intent is determined to open the door, the processor manipulates a soft robotics material enclosing the door handle into an in-use state to present the handle to the person through the application of one or more stimuli. When not in a rest state, the soft robotics material provides a smooth surface aligned with a surface of the door panel.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Frederico Marcolino Quintao Severgnini, Ercan Mehmet Dede
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Patent number: 11486172Abstract: A door lock assembly includes a housing having a hollow structure, a lifting shaft provided inside the housing, a driving spring, and a buffering device. A top end of the lifting shaft is configured for assembling a refueling or charging port flap, the lifting shaft being slidably engaged with the housing along a first portion and threadably engaged with the housing along a second portion. One end of the driving spring is fixed and the other end abuts against the lifting shaft for driving the lifting shaft to move relative to the housing. The buffering device provides a buffering function in the when the lifting shaft is threadably engaged with the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Jianwei Bai, Yifan Wang
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Patent number: 11478051Abstract: A self-locking latch assembly for a two-piece container is provided. The latch assembly has a latch hook pivotably biased in a parallel orientation to the first piece of the two-piece container, while a keeper is connected though spaced apart from the surface of the second piece of the two-piece container. The two-piece container is adapted to move between an open and closed position by sliding an open end of the larger piece over an open end of a smaller piece. During this sliding action, toward the closed position, a tapered edge of the latch hook strikes the keeper and is urged upward until the tapered edge ends, whereby the biasing of the latch hook urges it to engage the keeper in a locked condition. To unlock the latch hook, one can pivot it to a nonparallel orientation and slide the two pieces apart.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Inventor: Gary Lee Robinson
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Patent number: 11479996Abstract: A method for actuating a motor vehicle lock and a locking device for a motor vehicle includes an actuating lever, a lock and a Bowden cable arranged between the actuating lever and the lock, the lock can be actuated by means of the actuating lever and with the aid of the Bowden cable, and a functional unit arranged on the Bowden cable and comprising an electric drive.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Kiekert AGInventors: Klaus Götzen, Christian Sturm, Claus Töpfer, Thorsten Bendel, Winfried Schlabs, Tim Sonnenschein
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Patent number: 11473338Abstract: A shared storage cabinet and a lock thereof are disclosed. The shared storage cabinet includes a cabinet body and a lock installed on the cabinet body. The cabinet body is divided into a plurality of cells by means of a frame thereof. The cabinet lock includes a lock body, a locking piece and a locking and unlocking assembly. The lock body is laterally inserted into and fixed within the frame of the cabinet body. The locking and unlocking assembly is disposed within the lock body. One end of the locking piece is pivotally connected to one side of the lock body, while the other end of the locking piece rotates about the end thereof to achieve locking/unlocking in cooperation with the locking and unlocking assembly of another adjacent cabinet lock on the frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: XIAMEN MAKE SECURITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventor: Hongliang Lai
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Patent number: 11473355Abstract: A latch assembly is provided that includes a latch arm having a rotational axis and an engagement surface on a distal end of the latch arm a length from the rotational axis. The engagement surface is stowed in a stowed state of the latch arm. The latch arm is configured to receive a pushing force to depress the latch arm a predetermined distance along the rotational axis. The latch assembly also includes a turret assembly having a top end with the latch arm mounted thereon. The turret assembly is configured to, in response to the pushing force being applied to the latch arm, raise and rotate the latch arm about the rotational axis to thereby transition the latch arm from the stowed state to a deployed state in which the engagement surface is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Ashley Gin, Harold G. Erickson
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Patent number: 11473343Abstract: A vehicle door includes an actuator for operating a latching mechanism. An actuator cable extends between the actuator and the latching mechanism. A cable housing slidably receives the actuator cable. The actuator cable is operable within the cable housing between extended and retracted positions. A cable bracket secures the cable housing to a frame member in a secured position. A clip assembly attaches to the cable housing and slidably engages the actuator cable upon operation of the actuator. The clip assembly engages the cable housing at a first side of the cable bracket and engages the actuator cable at a second side of the cable bracket.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Constantin Manolescu
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Patent number: 11473346Abstract: Disclosed is a securing device (1), comprising a front hood (2) and a hood lock (3) with a lock holder (10), for a motor vehicle; the hood lock (3) includes a rotary latch (4) featuring a pre-locking position and a main locking position, and an electric drive (5) for switching the rotary latch (4) from the main locking position into the pre-locking position, the front hood (2) being closed and locked in the main locking position; in the pre-locking position of the rotary latch, the front hood (2) can be manually moved from a locked position of the front hood (2) in which the lock holder (10) engages the rotary latch (4) and the front hood (2) is locked, into an unlocked position of the front hood (2) in which the lock holder (10) is released by the rotary latch (4) and the front hood (2) is unlocked.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Kiekert AGInventor: Thorsten Nottebaum
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Patent number: 11473352Abstract: A multipoint door lock system comprises a door frame having a bolt opening and a secondary opening. A latch takes an activable position when the door is opened and a pre-armed position when the door is closed. A door-locking tip of the latch protrudes from the secondary opening of the door frame and into a secondary bore of the door when the door is closed. A transfer block moves from an inactive position to an active position upon insertion the deadbolt in the bolt opening. A biasing element causes a displacement of a translating member when the transfer block moves to the active position in the absence of a force sufficient to cause a compression of the biasing element. This action of the translating member locks the latch in its pre-armed position within the secondary bore.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Inventor: Christian Guillemette