Patents Examined by Lloyd Gall
  • Patent number: 11629534
    Abstract: A latch is configured to fix a panel relative to a frame. The latch includes a housing having a longitudinal axis and defining an aperture along the longitudinal axis; a cap mounted within the aperture of the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, the cap comprising a drive surface; and a cover coupled to the housing to pivot about a lateral axis, the cover pivotable to be in a closed position in which the cover covers the cap; wherein when the cap is in an unlatched position, the drive surface of the cap is aligned with an engagement surface of the cover and positioned to block the cover from pivoting to the closed position; and wherein when the cap is in a latched position, the drive surface is unaligned with the engagement surface and positioned to permit the cover to pivot to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Manly, Andrew James Thornton, Jack Dennehy, Michael Post, Thomas V. Aukzemas
  • Patent number: 11578505
    Abstract: Apparatus for unlocking and locking a lock (1?) enabling access to protected areas. The apparatus comprises a housing (5) with a housing interior (64). A rotational shaft (30) is in operative connection with the housing. A motor (10) extends in the housing interior (64), is in operative rotational connection with shaft (30) and is operative to rotate the shaft (30). A battery cell (9) extends in the housing interior (64) and is in partially surrounding relation of the motor (10). The battery cell is in operative electrical connection with the motor (10). In cross section, the battery cell (9) includes at least two points (34) and (36) such that a line segment (32) joining these two points passes through the motor (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: Artur Litwinski
  • Patent number: 11572708
    Abstract: A rekeyable lock cylinder with a cylinder body and a plug assembly. The lock cylinder includes a plurality of key followers and a corresponding plurality of racks disposed in the plug assembly. Disengaging the racks from the key followers allows rekeying of the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Hanna Farag
  • Patent number: 11572711
    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: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Lockmasters Security Intermediate, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Clayton Miller, Eric C. Elkins, Michael S. Yacobi, Edmund P. Deja, Lynn D. Damron, Danny R Maynard
  • Patent number: 11542725
    Abstract: An indicator assembly for a lock assembly in which rotation of an indicator barrel having different indicator symbols is facilitated via magnetic forces. Upon locking of the lock assembly, such as via a push button assembly, an actuator is linearly displaced in a first direction, thereby causing an activation pin that is connected to the actuator to push an activation carrier in the first direction. The activation carrier can also be rotated so that a first pole of a first magnet that is coupled to the activation carrier is linearly and rotatably brought into closer proximity to a similar first pole of a second magnet that is coupled to the indicator barrel. Such displacement of the first magnet can cause a repelling force to be provided between the first and second magnets that facilitates the rotation of the indicator barrel about the lever from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Drake Lunday
  • Patent number: 11536048
    Abstract: A latch module incorporated with an automatic opening function and a secure lock function includes a latch, a spring that applies a force to move the latch in a first direction, a drive to move the latch in a second direction, a cam that transmits power of the drive to the latch, and first and second switches that are turned on and off by the cam. The first and second switches are in a first mode in which the two switches are turned on and the latch is disposed at a manual lock position, a second mode in which the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off and the latch is disposed at an opening position, a third mode in which the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on and the latch is in a secure lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeongkil Kim, Myeong Jun Shin, Jangmo Shin, Seongho Jeong
  • Patent number: 11530558
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing improved security to an outward-swing door of a vehicle. The outward-swing door is on a sidewall of a main housing of the vehicle and has a pivotal end and a distal end opposite to the pivotal end. The outward-swing door is outwardly pivotable about the pivotal end thereof. The apparatus comprises a connecting structure for coupling to a bottom wall of the main housing, a base structure for coupling to the connecting structure so as to locate adjacent the outward-swing door and outside a swing path of the outward-swing door, and a blocking structure demountably coupled to the base structure, at least a portion thereof extendable into the swing path of the outward-swing door for restricting the outward-swing door to open to a predefined maximum extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Nelson Grant, Laura Jane Grant
  • Patent number: 11525284
    Abstract: A lockout device is able to secure a door on a panel. The lockout device includes a housing and a flexible line. The housing has a first mounting portion adapted for securement to one side of the panel and the flexible line has on one end thereof a second mounting portion adapted for securement to another side of the panel from the first mounting portion. The housing further supports at least one line engagement element and the flexible line extends through at least a portion of the housing including the at least one line engagement element for selective engagement therewith. In use, the mounting portions may be affixed or attached to opposing sides or edges of the panel, the flexible line drawn taut, and the line engagement element(s) of the housing used to engage the flexible line to hold it in positon with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Brady Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Enger, Gene Gladkov
  • Patent number: 11499801
    Abstract: A firearm safe box comprising a housing having sides defining an interior volume and an opening. A container is slidably received in the opening of the housing, the container being movable between a closed position preventing access to the container and an open position allowing access to the container. In this embodiment, the container carries a configured insert adapted to cradle a firearm. A lock mechanism is operative to retain the container in the closed position. An opening mechanism is operative to automatically move the container to the open position when the lock mechanism is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Vaultek Safe Inc.
    Inventor: Shixiong Chen
  • Patent number: 11486186
    Abstract: A system for the safe coupling of a re-usable bag to a banknote handling and storing machine includes a bag container, having a rigid upper port and a flexible bag permanently fixed to the rigid port, a lid, designed to be inserted onto the rigid port for closing the bag container when the filling operations are terminated, and a bag-holding frame. The bag-holding frame is suitable for being stably fixed to a safe structure of the machine for supporting and hooking the bag container when placed inside the machine to be filled with the banknotes. The system is provided with first coupling and hooking electro-mechanical components between the bag container and the bag-holding frame and with second coupling and hooking electro-mechanical components between the lid and the bag container. The first and second coupling and hooking electro-mechanical components are interconnected with a control unit to enable the respective functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CIMA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Nicoletta Razzaboni, Vittorio Razzaboni
  • Patent number: 11486162
    Abstract: A locking module for selectively coupling a first component and a second component of a lockable device includes a locking member rotatable about an axis between a rest position and an actuated position. An engagement member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The engagement member is configured to cooperate with the locking member to selectively release the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wayne Floyd Larson
  • Patent number: 11486166
    Abstract: A locking system for a utility vault including an I-beam extending across an opening in utility vault, a two-piece lid positioned in the opening over the I-beam, brackets positioned on opposite ends of each piece of the two-piece utility lid for engaging an inside wall surface of the utility vault and the I-beam, and a three-tier locking system positioned at an end of one piece of the two-piece lid to lock the lid to the vault including a L-bolt lock, a padlock and a lockable door on an upper surface of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Channell Commercial Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Gwillim, Edward J. Burke
  • Patent number: 11473361
    Abstract: A safe for mounting on a shelf with a drop-down door that provides a work surface to sort a safe's contents. The drop-down door is congruent with a floor panel of the safe, forming a continuous working area. Within the drop-down door, there is a concealed document pocket. The drop-down door is substantially flush with a pair of side walls and a ceiling wall when closed. A spring plunger pushes the door open when the lock is disengaged. The safe has a back-lit shelf within an interior chamber. The safe is secured to the shelf by a bottom lock assembly with rotatable mounting plate concealed by the floor panel of the safe. In one example embodiment, the door is secured by a locking mechanism with a plurality of rotating pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Urban Sales, LLC
    Inventors: Eugene F. Sisco, Eric Chan
  • Patent number: 11459152
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lockout box for locking in objects comprising an upwardly open container; and a cover that is pivotably movably fastened to the container via a joint between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover is provided with a carry handle for the lockout box at its upper side; wherein a plurality of securing openings are provided in the cover and in the container for the attachment of a plurality of locking elements in order to fix the cover to the container in the closed position; and wherein a closure is provided that enables a carrying of the lockout box at the carry handle in the closed position even when locking elements are not hung in. The cover is linearly displaceably attached to the joint via an adjustment mechanism between a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ABUS AUGUST BREMICKER SÖHNE KG
    Inventors: Bettina Riepe, Bernhard Garthe
  • Patent number: 11459795
    Abstract: An electric strike for a door frame, comprising: a body; a keeper moveably attached to the body for selectively retaining a latch bolt on a door; a blocking element movable between a blocking position in which the blocking element locks the keeper to prevent a latch from being moved past the keeper, and an unblocking position in which the blocking element unlocks the keeper to allow the latch to move past the keeper; an electronically controlled electric actuator for moving the blocking element between the blocking position and the unblocking position; and an override mechanism to override the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: RMD INNOVATIONS PTY. LTD.
    Inventors: Geoff Ross, Andrew Marget, Philip Millikin, Michael Maloney
  • Patent number: 11454050
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses include a lock including a shackle movable between an unlocked state and a locked state, an electronically actuated blocker selectively engaged with the shackle to inhibit movement of the shackle from the locked state to the unlocked state, the blocker movable between a key override disabled position, a key override enabled position, and an electronic unlock position, and a key cylinder structured to move the shackle to the unlocked state when the blocker is in the key override enabled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC
    Inventor: Zachary T. Nave
  • Patent number: 11447978
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical lock is provided for a door. The lock includes inner and outer lock components mounted on opposite sides of the door and a tube extending between the inner and outer lock components, the tube being configured to receive a spindle extending through the door. The tube includes an electrical conductor integrated with the tube as a one-piece construction for transmitting electrical power and/or control signals between first and second electrical connectors at the inner and outer lock components. The tube is less fragile than conventional double tube arrangements in locks and thus can be more easily cut to length and installed at the door, improving reliability and cost effectiveness of methods of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: LOCK II, LLC
    Inventor: J. Clayton Miller
  • Patent number: 11447976
    Abstract: A lock having an alarm function for a two-wheeler comprises a lock body and a securing hoop movable relative to the lock body between a securing position for securing the two-wheeler and an open position for releasing the two-wheeler. The lock body has a locking mechanism to selectively lock the securing hoop to the lock body in the securing position, and further comprises an alarm device for outputting an alarm signal. The locking mechanism can selectively be moved into an unlocked position, a locked position, or an alarm activation position, with the securing hoop being released for a movement into the open position in the unlocked position, with the securing hoop located in the securing position being locked at the lock body in the locked position, and with the alarm device being activated or being able to be activated by moving the locking mechanism into the alarm activation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: ABUS August Bremicker Söhne KG
    Inventor: Ernst Pankratius
  • Patent number: 11447974
    Abstract: An anti-barricading turn hub assembly is configured for use with a lockset including a bolt movable to lock and unlock a door. The anti-barricading turn hub assembly includes a spindle connected to a thumb turn on one side of the lock. The spindle is releasably engaged to a turn hub that is operable by the key from the other side of the door. Under normal operation, the spindle and turn hub rotate together to lock and unlock the bolt. In a barricading situation in which the thumb turn is held to prevent the turn hub assembly from rotating, the turn hub disengages from the spindle upon application of sufficient force through rotation of the key, and the disengaged turn hub can be rotated to unlock the bolt even if the thumb turn is held to keep the spindle from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Steven Verderaime, Adam M. Litwinski, Jonathan M. Carron, Drake Lunday
  • Patent number: 11447984
    Abstract: A system for securing a device having a case and a security feature integrated into the device. The system has a device security apparatus removably mountable on the device by the security feature on the case of the device. The device security apparatus may include a base element configured to mount on the device by releasably engaging the security feature of the device, and may further include a securing element removably mounted on the base element. The securing element may include at least one of a plurality of modules configured to interchangeably mount on the base element. The plurality of modules may include a mechanical connection module configured to physically connect the device security apparatus to an object, and a monitoring module configured to monitor movement of the device security apparatus and any device connected to the device security apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Marc Tobias