Patents Examined by Kristina R Fulton
  • Vehicle door clip assembly and method for painting a vehicle using the same
    Patent number: 11313161
    Abstract: A door clip assembly that utilizes both reusable and disposable components, thereby minimizing material waste and providing significant cost savings. The bulk of the door clip assembly is manufactured from a reusable metal or plastic material that is resistant to both heat and chemicals so that it can be periodically paint stripped and/or cleaned and reused. Only the tip of the door clip assembly is manufactured from a disposable plastic or rubber material that is inexpensive so that it can be discarded, and that can safely contact an exposed surface and/or finish of a vehicle without damaging it. The door clip assembly is easy to install/remove and does not require a driver tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Krstic
  • Cylinder assembly with rotating winged latch bolt for sliding door lockset
    Patent number: 11306510
    Abstract: Cylinder assembly with rotating winged latch bolt for sliding door lockset includes a special latch bolt that holds in an extended position and holds in a retracted position which alternates back and forth by pressing the latch bolt with your finger. The special latch bolt rotates ninety degrees by turning the doorknob, door handle, thumb turn, or coin turn and rotates back ninety degrees by turning the doorknob, door handle, thumb turn, or coin turn back. The special latch bolt has a special winged shape that catches within the strike plate when rotated ninety degrees and releases from the strike plate when rotated ninety degrees back. Also there is a special face plate or cylinder face plate with tabs or notches that serve as a two-position mechanical stop to prevent the latch bolt from over rotating beyond ninety degrees in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Qianyan Cheng
  • Safety gate
    Patent number: 11293200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a child safety latch for limiting movement of a first element with respect to a second element, comprising a prong assembly secured to the second element, said prong assembly including a prong arm with a terminal end; a receiving means secured to the first element for capturing the terminal end of said prong, to stop movement of the first element with respect to the second element by a specified distance from the second element; by automatic engagement of the receiver of the receiving means with the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SAFE AND CARE LTD.
    Inventor: Jesper Birk Andersen
  • Tailgate latch assembly for vehicle
    Patent number: 11286696
    Abstract: A tailgate latch assembly for restraining a striker of a tailgate, which is opened or closed rearward of a vehicle, or for releasing restraint of the striker includes: a pawl configured to be rotated by a drive motor, the pawl being supported resiliently in a direction opposite to a direction of being rotated by the drive motor in a housing; a claw supported resiliently in a direction in which restraint of the striker is released in the housing, the claw being configured to be rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of being supported resiliently when the striker is restrained in the claw; and a memory lever having a first end for supporting a side face of the pawl when the pawl is rotated beyond a predetermined angle by the drive motor and a second end fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, PYEONG HWA AUTOMOTIVE CO LTD
    Inventors: Ki-Hyun Cho, Kyung-Min Lee
  • Roof lock device
    Patent number: 11279214
    Abstract: In a driver, supposing that an angular position of the rotator in a state where a coupler coupling a link member and the rotator together is located at a rearmost position is regarded as a reference angular position, a first angular position is an angular position where the rotator is shifted from the reference angular position in a first rotation direction by an angle ?1, and a second angular position is an angular position where the rotator is shifted from the reference angular position in a second direction opposite to the first rotation direction by an angle ?2 smaller than the angle ?1. The driver has a regulating portion which does not allow the rotator to rotate in the second rotation direction from the second angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Sawahata, Osamu Yoshida
  • Closure latch assembly with child lock having asymmetrical toggle spring arrangement
    Patent number: 11280116
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provided with a child lock mechanism having a spring system including a first spring member and a separate second spring member that requires a first force to move the child lock mechanism from an off position to an on position and a second force to move the child lock mechanism from the on position to the off position, wherein the required second force is greater than the required first force, thereby indicating to a user by tactile feedback the relative position (on/off) the child lock mechanism is in, thereby assuring intended movement of the child lock mechanism from one of the on/off positions to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Scarfone
  • Latch assembly for motor vehicle closure system having power release mechanism with mechanical release and reset feature
    Patent number: 11280120
    Abstract: A power closure latch assembly with a manually actuatable release and reset feature is provided. The release feature allows the latch assembly to be mechanically released from within a cabin of the vehicle such that a vehicle closure panel can be opened, while the reset feature allows the latch assembly to be manually and mechanically reset from within the cabin of the vehicle to allow the vehicle closure panel to be closed and latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Patane, Enrico Boeri, Carlo Quartieri
  • Friction latch for sliding sash window
    Patent number: 11280114
    Abstract: A latch unit for a sliding window mountable within a window frame. A cam portion engages the first side of a retention bar for urging the lip against the resiliency of a spring toward an unlatched configuration in which the flange disengages the frame as the handle is hingedly rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Arow Global Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Scott Walters
  • Device for mechanically preventing automatic opening of a vehicle door and vehicle having such a device
    Patent number: 11280115
    Abstract: A device for mechanically preventing the automatic opening of a vehicle door in the event of an object acting thereon includes a mounting clip fixed to an outer door part for an outer door handle. The mounting clip has a door opening mechanism having a balancing mass which is adjustably supported on the mounting clip and operatively connected to the outer door handle and can also be moved from a first operating position into a second operating position and back. A force introduction and locking element is associated with the balancing mass. A movement of the balancing mass from the first operating position into the second operating position can be prevented, limited, and/or reversed by way of the element. When viewed in the direction of movement of the bar the force introduction and locking element is advantageously supported against a door lock housing that is fastened to the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Weber, Arne Meyer, Sarah Brueggemann, Dennis Neumann
  • Entry door frame reinforcement assembly
    Patent number: 11280110
    Abstract: A door frame profile and reinforcement assembly to increase the resistance of an entry door and door frame to forced entry by an intruder. Increased resistance is achieved by fitting and securing a U-shaped bar within a machined slot in the back of the door frame and attaching a shaped plate or plates that fits within the shaped bar and retains the door's throw bolt of the deadbolt and/or latch of the door lock. Optionally, with stronger door frames, the shaped plate alone may suffice, and the plate can be modified to a simple L-shaped form, a portion of which is inserted into a narrow groove which replaces the machined slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: David W Moeller
  • Motor vehicle lock
    Patent number: 11274474
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a lock for a motor vehicle, whereby the accidental opening of said lock is prevented. To achieve this aim, a lock comprises a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a locking pawl for arresting the rotary latch in a latch position. In order to open the lock with minimum effort, an electric drive (1) is provided by means of which drive the locking pawl can be moved directly or indirectly out of its locking position. The lock is further provided with a movable blocking pawl (2), which can impede the electric drive (1) from opening the lock. For the locking mechanism to be electrically opened, the blocking pawl (2) needs to be moved out of its blocking position and the electric drive (1) needs be to actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Carsten Fuchs
  • Motorized trim
    Patent number: 11274470
    Abstract: An exemplary trim assembly comprises a housing assembly, a cam rotatably mounted to the housing assembly, a lift finger slidably mounted in the housing assembly such that the cam is operable to linearly drive the lift finger between a deactuated position and an actuated position, and a locking mechanism operable to selectively retain the lift finger in the deactuated position. The locking mechanism includes an interface member engaged with the lift finger such that movement of the lift finger moves the interface member between a home position and an offset position, a blocking member operable to selectively prevent movement of the interface member from the home position, and a driver configured to move the blocking member between a blocking position and an unblocking position to thereby lock and unlock the trim assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Arlinghaus, Jack R. Lehner, Jr., David V. Toloday, Suresha Chandrasekhara, John Stalter, Marlin Austin
  • Actuating device for a motor vehicle door with means for reducing the transverse play of a flush door handle having expanded use possibilities
    Patent number: 11268307
    Abstract: An actuating device, for a motor vehicle door lock, having a handle part grippable by one hand and being movable by a mechanism from a rest position into a standby position, and being movable manually into an actuating position starting from the standby position, the actuating device configured to actuate the door lock if the handle part reaches the actuating position, the actuating device having a device for reducing a transverse play of the handle parts such that the transverse play in the standby position is reduced with respect to the transverse play in a position between the rest position and the standby position, the device for reducing the transverse play configured to completely or partially cancel again the reduction of the transverse play in the standby position if the handle part is moved from the standby position into the actuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Seubert
  • Door handle safety lock
    Patent number: 11268295
    Abstract: A door handle safety lock comprises a button, a pedestal, a limited support arm and a spring, the outer wall the button is provided with retaining ribs; the top of the pedestal is provided with inserting parts, a first mounting hole matched with the button is arranged in the inserting part, and the first chutes are arranged on the inner wall of the first mounting hole; the end of the limited support arm which is close to the pedestal is provided with an inserting slot which is matched with the inserting part, the outer wall of the limited support arm which is close to the pedestal is provided with a second mounting hole which is matched with the button, and the second chute are arranged on the inner wall of the second mounting hole; and the spring is installed between the button and the hole bottom of the second mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO FABE CHILD SAFETY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Xu, Dong Li, Xinjun Wang
  • Methods for preventing unintended operation of pivoting door handle
    Patent number: 11268306
    Abstract: A flush mounted handle assembly is provided for a power slide door of a vehicle. The handle assembly includes a case fixed to the door, the case defining a rear wall and opposing side portions. A bell crank is provided configured to coordinate selective power and manual operational modes of the assembly. The assembly includes a handle base having a first end and a second opposing end. The first and seconds ends are configured for selective pivotal movement in opposite directions about a fixed pivot axis to engage the bell crank. A pair of weighted paddles is provided, each rotatable about an axis independent from the handle base axis. One or more paddle biasing members is provided to bias the weighted paddles against the handle base, minimizing movement of the handle base in the manual operational mode upon an impact, or during an unintended rotational movement of the handle base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ishikawa, Tarakorn Soonthornwinate, Frank A. Richards, Takahiro Iwama
  • Fenestration lock assemblies and methods
    Patent number: 11268308
    Abstract: Fenestration lock assemblies, fenestration units including the lock assemblies, and methods of operating the lock assemblies. The lock assemblies offer a lock assembly construction that is capable of being assembled, installed, and used in a purely manual mode (i.e., in the absence of any driving unit such as, e.g., a motor, solenoid, etc.) or that may be assembled, installed, and used with a driving unit such that the lock assembly can be operated manually or in a driven mode, with the manual and driven modes of operation being unaffected by each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Wernlund, David D. Plummer
  • Toggle latch mechanism
    Patent number: 11268296
    Abstract: A toggle latch device translates a first push and release of a button to a locking pin translation from retracted to extended from within a housing. A second push and release of the button reverses the locking pin translation from extended to retracted back within the housing. The latch button remains desirably flush with the housing after each push and release. The translation of the latch button and that of the locking pin is angularly displaced by 90 degrees allowing the toggle latch device to employ a unique lever system which includes a buckling spring combined with a reversing hat which forces the locking pin in each of extension and retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Hoogland
  • Opening/closing body control device for vehicles
    Patent number: 11261624
    Abstract: This opening/closing body control device for vehicles comprises a lock device and a control device. The control device comprises: a reversal control unit; a reversal stopping unit; a first error detection unit that detects a first state change error in a first neutral switch, when reverse rotation of a rotating member has been stopped on the basis of a change in the on/off state of a second neutral switch during reverse control after closing control; and a second error detection unit that detects a second state change error in the first neutral switch, when reverse rotation of the rotating member is stopped on the basis of a change in the on/off state of the second neutral switch during reverse control after release control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishikibe, Noriyuki Kamiya
  • Latch assembly including latch module with retractable latch bolt for storage compartment in automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 11261626
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a storage compartment in an automobile is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a latch module, including a latch bolt, and a striker. The latch bolt is moveable between an extended latched position, in which the bolt axis is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the latch casing, and a retracted unlatched position, in which the bolt is withdrawn into, and its axis is oblique with respect to, the latch casing. When in the oblique position, the latch bolt is retained in the unlatched position within the latch casing. A spring member within the latch casing biases the latch bolt to both extend axially from the latch casing, and pivotally toward the inner retaining surface of the latch casing. Upon closure, the bolt is moved, via contact with the striker, from the withdrawn oblique retained position, and returns via spring bias to the latched extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Piotr Kulicki
  • Magnet latch
    Patent number: 11261627
    Abstract: A magnetic latch (10) for an appliance is disclosed for use with a strike plate (12). The latch includes a body (16) having two oppositely disposed side walls (18) and a bottom surface or wall (20). The body defines a magnet recess (26). An elongated handle (40) is pivotally coupled to the body. A spring loaded plunger pin (34) biases the handle. A magnet assembly (44) is positioned within the body. The magnet assembly includes a magnet (46) having a peripheral edge (48), and a pair of metal plates (54). The magnet has a peripheral cushioning sleeve (58) extending about the peripheral edges of the magnet. The peripheral sleeve is generally rectangular in shape having two oppositely disposed end walls (60) which include a cushioning projection (68). A pivot pin (74) extends through the magnet assembly to allow rocking motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Kason Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett A. Mitchell, Burl M. Finkelstein, Andrew Bassett