Patents Examined by Mark Williams
  • Patent number: 11371270
    Abstract: A touch pad for operating an e-latch assembly of a motor vehicle entry system that includes a control circuit with a backup energy source and method of operating the entry system are provided. The touch pad includes a touch pad controller in communication with the control circuit of the e-latch assembly. The touch pad also includes at least one entry input sensor coupled to the touch pad controller for outputting a signal indicative of a touch to operate the e-latch assembly. The touch pad further includes a mechanical emergency switch assembly adjacent the at least one entry input sensor and including a plurality of pins electrically coupled to the control circuit for operating the e-latch assembly when the at least one input sensor is not operable due to one of a power loss and malfunction of the at least one input sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Emanuele Leonardi, Davide Dente, Marco Marlia
  • Patent number: 11365563
    Abstract: An exit device for a door includes an elongate housing, a latch, a touch bar assembly, a panel, and a dogging assembly. The elongate housing is configured to be mounted to the door. The touch bar assembly is attached to the elongate housing. The touch bar assembly includes a touch bar that is movable relative to the elongate housing and has a linkage that operably connects the touch bar to the latch. The panel is connected to the elongate housing. The dogging assembly has a combination lock dogging operator and a dogging mechanism. The dogging mechanism is rotatably coupled to the elongate housing. The combination lock dogging operator is mounted to the panel, and is drivably engaged with the dogging mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: dormakaba USA Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Ginter, Michael E. McCoy, Gary W. Davidson
  • Patent number: 11365559
    Abstract: A locking mechanism and a door opening control method are provided for household appliances. The locking mechanism is provided on a front door panel of a door of a cooking machine and used for controlling the opening and closing of the door and includes: a lever which is mounted on the back surface of the front door panel and at least a portion of which protrudes from an opening provided on the front door panel to the front surface of the front door panel; an electromagnet which is mounted on the back surface of the front door panel and may be in a locked or unlocked state with respect to the lever. The locking of the door of the cooking machine may be realized through the cooperation between the electromagnet and the lever. Real-time control of the door may be realized to better ensure safety of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC APPLIANCES MICROWAVE OVEN (SHANGHAI) CHINA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zeng Chen
  • Patent number: 11358454
    Abstract: A locking device for a top of a convertible vehicle is proposed, comprising a locking support (22), a locking hook (28), which can be shifted in a translational and rotational manner so as to be displaced between a release position and a locked position, and a driving mechanism for the locking hook (28), said driving mechanism comprising a driving motor (64) and driving a slide (36) movable on the locking support (22). The slide (36) is connected to a driving section of the locking hook (28) via a pull-link arrangement (46) in such a manner that the locking hook (28) undergoes a pivoting movement when the slide (36) is moved. The locking support (22) has an insert having a guiding track for a guiding element which is arranged on the pull-link arrangement (46) or on the locking hook (28), and the guiding track defines a pivot position of the locking hook (28) with respect to the locking support (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Christian Rudolfi, Franz Haberl
  • Patent number: 11346130
    Abstract: A double lock, dual action gravity latch device to secure a gate in a closed position comprising a latch assembly including a pivotal latch member movable between a latched and unlatched position, a keeper assembly including a striker pin to maintain the gate in the closed position when the pivotal latch member in the latched position, a latch lock assembly including a lock assembly with a first lock and a second lock each independently movable between a locked position and an unlocked position disposed on opposite sides of the gate to selectively move a lock subassembly from a locked position to an unlocked position when either the first lock or second lock is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position, and move the lock subassembly from the unlocked position to the locked position when the unlocked lock is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position and a first latch actuator and a second latch actuator each movable between a first position and a second position disposed on opposite
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONWIDE INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventor: E. Erik Timothy
  • Patent number: 11343944
    Abstract: A deep-water submersible system is disclosed. The system can include a pressure vessel and an internal assembly. The internal assembly can include a housing and a wedge lock assembly coupleable to the housing. The wedge lock assembly can include a plurality of wedge members arranged along a longitudinal axis and including end wedge members at each end and one or more intermediate wedge members between the end wedge members. The wedge lock assembly can also include a displacement device along the longitudinal axis and connecting the end wedge members. The displacement device can be actuatable in one direction to move the end wedge members toward one another to displace adjacent wedge members relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis to engage and apply a clamping force to the housing and the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Brian M. White
  • Patent number: 11339592
    Abstract: The locking mechanism is adapted to a door system having a door unit slidably mounted to a door frame to open and close by sliding longitudinally along the door frame. The locking mechanism includes: a pivoting member pivotally mounted to one of the door frame and the door unit for pivoting about a pivot axis, and a hook member spaced apart from the pivot axis such that the hook member can pivot about the pivot axis via the pivoting member; and a guide member secured to the other one of the door frame and the door unit, the guide member having a channel formed therein to receive the hook member when the pivoting member is moved toward the guide by said sliding of the door, and subsequently maintain engagement with the hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TECHNOLOGIES LANKA INC.
    Inventors: Paul Cartier, Jean-Paul Dionne, Gaston Roy, Andreas Schunke
  • Patent number: 11332958
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods of releasing doors that are locked in a closed position. The apparatus may include a follower assembly movably attached to a locking member that moves between a secured position and an unsecured position. The follower assembly may include a first locking element. The apparatus may additionally include a second locking element configured to move between a locking position in which the second locking element engages the first locking element, and an unlocking position in which the second locking element is spaced from the first locking element. The apparatus may further include a support assembly configured to move between a proximal position in which the support assembly supports the second locking element in the locking position, and a distal position in which the support assembly allows the second locking element to move from the locking position to the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Peter Macaraeg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11332961
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic actuator assembly is configured for use with a pushbar assembly having a drive assembly operable to retract a latchbolt, and includes an input shaft, a motor, and a boost spring. The motor has a retracting state in which the motor drives the input shaft from a proximal position to a distal position, a holding state in which the motor exerts a holding force to retain the input shaft in the distal position, and a releasing state in which the motor exerts a residual force that resists movement of the input shaft. The boost spring exerts a boost force urging the input shaft in the proximal direction to at least partially counteract the residual force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Arlinghaus, Evan Ballard, Suresha Chandrasekhara, Eric Hoiland
  • Patent number: 11332285
    Abstract: A preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Dean Weber, Christoph Potakowskyj, Ernst Bayer
  • Patent number: 11319729
    Abstract: A latch mechanism having a latch apparatus that is pivotally displaced about a latch axis and a cam device is that pivotally displaced along a transverse cam axis. The cam device is configured to operably engage the latch apparatus so as to at least assist in securing the latch apparatus in a locked position. When the latch apparatus is to be displaced to an unlocked position, the cam device may be pivoted about the transverse cam axis to a position in which the cam device does not impede with the pivotal displacement of the latch apparatus. The latch apparatus may also be configured to prevent the pivotal displacement of the cam device when the latch apparatus is in the unlocked position. According to other embodiments, the latch apparatus may be pivotally displaced about a transverse latch axis by the displacement of a latch link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Matthew S. Graham
  • Patent number: 11319733
    Abstract: An electronic door latching assembly for a side door of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a retaining member and an actuator. The actuator is operably connected to the retaining member and moves the retaining member between a primary position and an unlatched position. The electronic door latching assembly also includes a control module in electrical communication with the actuator. The control module executes instructions to: receive as input a power signal indicating that a loss of electrical power in the vehicle is imminent. After receiving the power signal, the control module receives a door open signal indicating that a door of the vehicle is being opened. In response to receiving the door open signal, the control module commands the actuator to rotate the retaining member from the unlatched position to the primary position where the side door is unable to latch shut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scheuer, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Jeffrey R. Nowicki
  • Patent number: 11306515
    Abstract: A resettable inertia lock assembly may include a chassis configured to be mounted within an access closure of a motor vehicle, a cassette, a reset structure defined on one of the chassis and the cassette, a resettable locking apparatus carried by the cassette and including an inertia-activated member and an engagement coupler, the engagement coupler movable between a first position securing the inertia-activated member in an inertia-activated position and a second position in which the engagement coupler does not secure the inertia-activated member in the inertia-activated position, and a movement device for producing a relative movement between the chassis and the cassette to cause the reset structure to engage and move the engagement coupler from the first position to the second position thereof to allow the inertia-activated member to move from the inertia-activated position to a home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ADAC Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Allyn VandenBrink
  • Patent number: 11306512
    Abstract: An exemplary closure assembly includes a swinging barrier, a pushbar assembly mounted to a first side of the barrier, a remote trim assembly mounted to a second side of the barrier, and a transmission assembly that extends at least partially through the barrier and couples remote trim assembly and the pushbar assembly. The pushbar assembly includes a latchbolt and a pushbar operable to retract the latchbolt. The remote trim includes a handle that is operably coupled with the latchbolt via the transmission assembly such that the handle is operable to retract the latchbolt. The handle is positioned above the pushbar such that a vertical offset distance is defined therebetween. The offset distance is selected such that a user having a height within a selected range of heights is able to actuate the pushbar assembly, but cannot actuate the trim assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Jack R. Lehner, Jr., Michael D. Coleman, James W. Overbey, Phillip Palmer, Matthew Greathouse
  • Patent number: 11299913
    Abstract: Door-locking device (1) comprising an electromechanical control device (10), which includes a locking pin (11) adapted to cooperate with a movable latching slider (7) for locking a door of an electric household appliance. The control device comprises a yoke (21), a magnet part (22) fixed to the yoke (21) and comprising a permanent magnet (23) polarized along a direction substantially perpendicular to the yoke (21), two electromagnets (26) arranged on opposite sides of the magnet part (22), and a rocking keeper (29) comprising two arms (29a, 29b) connected at an angle to each other, the keeper resting on a supporting surface (25) of the magnet part (22) so as to be able to rock between a first and a second position respectively in contact with one or the other of the cores (27) of the electromagnets (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: BITRON S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Promutico, Massimo Nardini, Marcello Pollastri
  • Patent number: 11299915
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart electronic lock and a suitcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: KUANG-CHI INTELLIGENT PHOTONIC TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Ruopeng Liu, Hualei Guo
  • Patent number: 11299920
    Abstract: The invention discloses a locking device and a refrigerator, wherein the locking device comprises a first lock block and a second lock block; the first lock block comprises a base and a tongue; the second lock block comprises an accommodating cavity, a clamping block, a return spring and a pushing block; the pushing block pushes the clamping block to slide in the sliding groove; and the tongue enters the tongue channel to be engaged with the clamping block so that the two lock blocks are engaged with each other. The locking device has the function of automatically adjusting the height difference between different cabinet doors and cabinet bodies, and is therefore more flexibly suitable for locking various cabinets or refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Zhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11293199
    Abstract: A touchless detent door lock is disclosed. In embodiments, the door lock includes a strike and a lock housing that defines a longitudinal cavity, where the strike can be linearly actuated within the longitudinal cavity from an unlocked position to a locked position, and vice versa. The door lock further includes at least one selector magnet coupled to or at least partially embedded within the strike and a plurality of position magnets coupled to or at least partially embedded within the lock housing. The position magnets include at least a first magnet corresponding to the unlocked position, a second magnet corresponding to the locked position, and a third magnet in between the first magnet and the second magnet. The first and second magnets are configured to attract the selector magnet, while the third magnet is configured to repel the selector magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jakob J. Vetter, Logan Butler
  • Patent number: 11274469
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling an electronic lock are disclosed. The electronic lock includes a lock catch and a lock body that includes a first lock hook and a second lock hook. The first lock hook has a first lock hook locking position where it is engaged with the lock catch and a first lock hook unlocking position where it is separated from the lock catch. The second lock hook has a second lock hook locking position where it locks the first lock hook in the first lock hook locking position and a second lock hook unlocking position where it is separated from the first lock hook. The method includes: detecting whether a locking operation occurs; and when detecting a locking operation, controlling at least one of the first lock hook and the second lock hook to vibrate, allowing the second lock hook to lock the first lock hook in the first lock hook locking position or to be separated from the first lock hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Shandong New Beiyang Information Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiabo Xu, Pengxu Bao, Cong Liang, Chuntao Wang
  • Patent number: 11236533
    Abstract: The present invention aims to reduce the operation noise of a latch device for a vehicle trunk lid when the lid is opened. A latch device for a vehicle trunk lid includes: latch 16 that is engaged with a striker; ratchet 18 that is engaged with latch 16; opening lever 43 that causes ratchet 18 to rotate in a direction in which ratchet 18 is disengaged from latch 16; output member 39 that rotates opening lever 43 in the release direction. Opening lever 43 is rotatable between an unblocked position where it is rotatable in the release direction and a blocked position where it is prevented from rotating in the release direction by colliding with the output member. When driven and rotated, output member 39 abuts against opening lever 43 that is in the unblocked position and rotates opening lever 43 in the release direction to the blocked position, and opening lever 43 is further rotated a predetermined angle by colliding with output member 39 in the blocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tamura, Toshio Takenaka