Patents Examined by Lloyd A. Gall
  • Patent number: 10087656
    Abstract: A housing has a front plate and a rear plate and a periphery there between thereby forming a chamber. A plurality of magnets removably couple the housing to a door. The door has an exterior surface with a rotatable existing deadbolt. A drive train sub-assembly with a motor is within the chamber. A power transfer sub-assembly is also within the chamber. The power transfer sub-assembly includes an elastomeric component and a C-channel positionable over the existing deadbolt. The power transfer sub-assembly is powered by the drive train sub-assembly. A control member is adapted to be pressed to power the motor to rotate the C-channel and the existing deadbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: DEE CEE MARKETING, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas B. Cannella
  • Patent number: 10087654
    Abstract: A locking mechanism is provided for a lock body and a rotatable key plug. The locking mechanism comprises pins having recesses, each of the pins adapted to be disposed in pin bores in the key plug for reciprocal and rotational movement. An elongated spring member simultaneously engages and biases the pins toward a keyway in the key plug. A locking bar moves between a first position and a second position where at least a portion of the locking bar is received in the recesses in the pins. The locking bar is prevented from moving to the second position unless the pins are in a position where the recesses are aligned with the locking bar. Upon insertion of a key in the keyway the pins are moved axially or rotated for aligning the recesses in the pins with the locking bar so the key can rotate the key plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY Access and Egress Hardware Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Nguyen, Damon J. Lenk
  • Patent number: 10087653
    Abstract: Lock assemblies having cylinders with interchangeable cores are provided. In one embodiment a lock assembly comprises a cylinder including a keyway and a core. Also, the lock assembly includes a first driver operatively connected to the cylinder. In particular, key cuts of the core are changeable without removing the cylinder from the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Lock Company, LLC
    Inventor: William H. Bullwinkel
  • Patent number: 10072697
    Abstract: A dual-prevention lock device for locking a screw and a method for locking a screw. The dual-prevention lock device comprises: a lower lock body (6); an upper lock body (1) mounted on the lower lock body (6), a receiving space for receiving a screw (3) to be locked being formed between the upper lock body (1) and the lower lock body (6); and a lock core (11) mounted on the lower lock body (6). A lower clamping part extending into the receiving space is disposed on the lower lock body (6), and an upper clamping part extending into the receiving space is disposed on the upper lock body (1). Under the action of a key, the lower clamping part is pushed by the lock core (11), so that the screw (3) to be locked is locked in the receiving space by the lower clamping part and the upper clamping part. With the upper and lower clamping parts for locking the screw, the dual-prevention lock device has a reliable performance and a simple structural design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Inventor: Chunping Guo
  • Patent number: 10066423
    Abstract: A security apparatus for a portable electronic device includes a cable having a length, a first end, and a second end. The security apparatus also includes a lock head coupled to the first end of the cable. The lock head is configured to selectively engage the portable electronic device and is movable by the cable between a first position, in which the lock head is secured to the portable electronic device, and a second position, in which the lock head is unsecured from the portable electronic device. The security apparatus further includes an actuator assembly coupled to the second end of the cable and spaced a distance from the lock head along the length of the cable. The actuator assembly is operable to actuate the cable to move the lock head between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: ACCO Brands Corporation
    Inventors: James Kao, John Hung, Bruce Fitz-Earle, Mike Otsuka, William De Meulenaere
  • Patent number: 10041275
    Abstract: A combination lock structure for simple password retrieval is provided. An inner sleeve is formed with a V-shaped groove. A clamping plate is provided with a V-shaped angle corresponding to the V-shaped groove. A hasp plate is provided with a hasp. A cylindrical flange of the inner sleeve is formed with a hasp groove for engagement of the hasp. A lower end of the hasp plate is provided with a convex point. A lock cylinder is formed with a protrusion corresponding to the convex point. When the lock cylinder is turned to an unlocked position, the protrusion urges the convex point to move upward and the hasp is moved upward so that the hasp is pressed against the cylindrical flange. When the hasp is engaged in the hasp groove, the V-shaped angle is engaged in the V-shaped groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: XIAMEN MAKE SECURITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 10036184
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a pair of handcuffs and method of making and using the handcuffs. Each handcuff includes a wristlet and a gripping portion. Each handcuff is connected to the other. Each wristlet is capable of being positioned about a wrist of a first individual. Each gripping portion is attached to a wristlet such that each gripping portion is positioned so that a second individual can grip the gripping portion when using the handcuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Roger Sims
  • Patent number: 10036183
    Abstract: Assembly for protecting a product against theft, includes a first part having a spike intended to pass through the product, and a second part provided in a first zone with an orifice for inserting the spike and locking elements to prevent the spike from being withdrawn after insertion. The second part includes at least one second zone for inserting the spike in a plurality of possible positions, the two parts are assembled with one another and kept in two possible modes of assembly. In a first protection mode, the spike is inserted into the orifice of the second part and the locking elements are activated so that a user cannot separate them without a tool; in a second temporary-assembly mode, the spike is inserted into the second zone and held therein in a temporary-assembly position such that a user can separate the two parts from one another without a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: EXAQTWORLD
    Inventor: Alain Favier
  • Patent number: 10030415
    Abstract: A lock including a body which houses a combination lock, which is releasable by the selection of a set code, the code being selectable by the movement of one or more dials, the or each dial including a first part which is manipulable by a user, wherein the lock includes a code finding device to enable the set code to be identified, the code finding device including a code finding member associated with the or each dial, the or each code finding member being engageable with a second part of the respective dial, to identify a position of the dial which corresponds with a digit of the set code, wherein the second part of each dial is moveable relative to the first part of the respective dial and relative to the respective code finding member between a disengaged position and an engaged position, and wherein the or each code finding member is fixed substantially stationary relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Lowe & Fletcher Limited
    Inventors: Colin Jeffrey Taylor, Matthew Peter Warrender
  • Patent number: 10030412
    Abstract: A handcuff shield includes first and second walls connected by an end wall to form a channel for receiving a pair of handcuffs. A slotted opening is formed in the first and second walls to receive a chain link or hinged for locking the handcuff shield to the handcuffs. When attached to the handcuffs, the end wall of the handcuff shield covers and prevents access to a ratchet mechanism of the handcuffs, and the first and second walls of the handcuff shield cover and prevent access to the keyhole of the handcuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Jess M. Danner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10024079
    Abstract: A plug assembly including a plug, a sidebar movably mounted on the plug, and a plurality rack pins seated in the plug. The sidebar is biased to an outer position in which the sidebar extends beyond an outer surface, of the plug. Each rack pin is a single-piece unitary structure including a key-following leg and a sidebar-engaging leg. The sidebar engaging leg includes at least one true, gate and a plurality of false gates. When a true gate of each rack pin is aligned with the sidebar, the sidebar is free to move radially inward to an inner position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Walls, Jason C. Clifford, Scott D. Welsby
  • Patent number: 10017962
    Abstract: A door lock assembly operates a deadbolt between unlocked and locked positions. It includes a key cylinder having a central axis, a torque blade extending from said cylinder upon said center axis, an actuator interlock mechanism operatively connected with the door lock assembly and provided for pivoting upon the torque blade, a ring, pivotally mounted to the door lock assembly, and incorporating a post, the actuator interlock mechanism having a radially extending arm, being bifurcated at its end, for locating upon the ring post, such that upon turning of the ring the actuator interlock mechanism turns the torque blade; a latch bolt assembly, including a deadbolt, the torque blade extending through the latch bolt assembly, and pivoting a latch operator that extends the deadbolt for shifting into a locked or unlocked position, during usage of the door lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Robert J. Viviano
  • Patent number: 10017151
    Abstract: A steering lock device includes a camshaft including a shaft portion having an axis, a lock actuation cam that radially projects from a first position of the shaft portion in an axial direction, and a projection that radially projects from a second position of the shaft portion in the axial direction; a housing rotatably accommodating the camshaft; and a lock bar moved by the lock actuation cam in a locking direction or an unlocking direction when the camshaft is rotated about the axis when a key cylinder is operated by a mechanical key. When the lock bar locks the steering shaft, the camshaft is configured so that the projection is separated from the shaft portion if a load exceeding a predetermined strength acts on the projection of the camshaft. The predetermined strength rotates the lock actuation cam to disengage the lock bar from the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takumi Tamezane, Tomoya Kato
  • Patent number: 10017958
    Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to lock inserts that are configured to prevent removal of a key from a lock assembly comprising the lock insert when the lock assembly is in an unlocked position. The lock insert can be configured to permit removal of the key when the lock assembly is in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Robert Frydrych
  • Patent number: 10000945
    Abstract: A universal electronics lock and lock kit has an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The outer cylinder slidingly fits over the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder is equipped with a lock cylinder that has an movable latch. When the latch is in one position, it clears an inwardly-directed ridge defined within the inner cylinder. The lock is then in the “unlocked” position. When the latch is in a second position when rotated by a turning of a key, the latch is disposed behind a portion of the ridge and the lock is in the “locked” position. The universal electronics lock of the present invention allows rotation of the cylinders about a fastener, thus making the lock difficult to cut or saw through. In the lock kit, a plurality of fasteners and spacers are provided to adjust for use with electronics from different manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventor: Donald R. Frantz
  • Patent number: 9995060
    Abstract: A dead bolt lock system including a slider member operatively coupled to a dead bolt such that when the slider member is in a first position, the dead bolt is in an extended position. When the slider member is in a second position, the dead bolt is in the retracted position. The system also includes a first movable member positioned in a path of movement of the slider member and configured to be displaced by the slider member to allow the slider member to move to the second position. The system includes a first lock having a first condition preventing the displacement of the first movable member and a second condition allowing the displacement of the first movable member, a second lock having a first condition preventing the displacement of the first movable member and a second condition allowing the displacement of the first movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Lockmasters Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: J. Clayton Miller, Eric C. Elkins, Michael S. Yacobi, Edmund P. Deja, Lynn D. Damron, Danny R Maynard
  • Patent number: 9995068
    Abstract: A door locking device includes: a pivot end wall portion extending from a pivot end side of a door 131, and having a first through-hole formed therein; an opposed wall portion 20 being opposed to the pivot end wall portion when the door 131 is closed, and having a second through-hole 23A, 23B formed therein; a key cylinder including a movable element 33 configured to be displaced in accordance with unlocking/locking operation; and a pivot hook 40A, 40B configured to interlock with the movable element 33. When the door is unlocked, the pivot hook 40A, 40B retreats to an inner side of the door 131 with respect to the first through-hole, whereas when the door is locked, the pivot hook enters the second through-hole 23A, 23B via the first through-hole to keep the door 131 and a door 132 closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Sato, Shigeru Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 9988828
    Abstract: A rekeyable master keyable lock includes a plurality of key followers, a plurality of user racks and a plurality of master racks. One user rack and one master rack are associated with each key follower and are configured to be selectively disengaged from, and reengaged with, the key follower. When the user racks are disenggaged from the key follower, the valid user key can be replaced with a new user key. Reengaging the user racks with the key followers rekeys the lock cylinder to the new user key and invalidates the original user key. Similar functionality applies to rekeying the master key. Either the user key or the master key can be rekeyed without rekeying the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Emory
  • Patent number: 9982460
    Abstract: An electric lock includes an input switching clutch for selectively transmitting electric or manual driving force to an output line. The input switching clutch includes an outer ring that rotates together with an electrically driven input gear, and an inner ring which rotates together with an output gear. Wedge-shaped spaces are defined between the outer ring and the inner ring. Two rollers are mounted in each wedge-shaped space and are biased toward narrow portions of the wedge-shaped space by a coil spring also mounted in the wedge-shaped space. The input switching clutch further includes an unlocking piece having crossbars inserted at both circumferential ends of the respective wedge-shaped spaces, and coupled to a manually driven input shaft so that rotation of the manually driven input shaft can be transmitted thereto; and a torque transmission mechanism for transmitting the rotation of the manually driven input shaft to the inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiichi Takada
  • Patent number: 9982798
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for restricting access to a valve, the locking mechanism including a locking body and a retaining plate. The locking body is configured to be placed on a valve to restrict access to the valve. The retaining plate is configured to be selectively secured to the locking body via a lock to secure the locking body to the valve. The retaining plate is fixedly movable relative to the locking body so that the locking mechanism may be adjusted to fit valves of varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: INNER-TITE CORP.
    Inventor: Stephen P. Spinney