Patents Examined by Michael J Keller
  • Patent number: 7841133
    Abstract: A passage barrier (10) with two barrier elements (24, 26) and two mutually aligned shafts (16, 20) which are separate from each other and can be driven by separate motors (14, 22), whereby one barrier element (24, 26) is retained on each shaft (16, 20), and can be swivelled independent of the other barrier element (26, 24) by driving the corresponding shaft (16, 20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Scheidt & Bachmann GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Augustyniak, Dieter Schwald
  • Patent number: 7788852
    Abstract: A door seal includes an elongated mounting strip adapted to be secured to a door frame and a flexible sealing strip adapted to be positioned between the mounting strip and the door frame for sealing the space between the door and the frame thereby to reduce transmission of noise and air through that space. The flexible sealing strip is formed from a series of individual separate strip segments aligned next to each other along the mounting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Elias Wexler, Jacob Wexler
  • Patent number: 7779577
    Abstract: In an operator window including a perimeter frame supporting a sash therein for movement between respective open and closed positions, a plurality of reinforcement members are mounted within the sash to provide reinforcement to a latching mechanism secured thereto. When the latching mechanism comprises a plurality of separate latching points at spaced positions along a latching side of the sash, a separate reinforcement member is associated with each of the latching points which is independent and maintained in separation from the remaining reinforcement members by spacers mounted therebetween. The spacers ensure sufficient space between the reinforcement members to accommodate for differences in thermal expansion and contraction between the different materials of the reinforcement members and the sash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Polar Window of Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: James Patrick Zayac
  • Patent number: 7765739
    Abstract: The present invention employed an elevating device for a window glass provided in a door of a vehicle, including: a guiding device which is provided in the door; a career plate which engages with the guiding device and slidably moves in an elevating direction of the window glass in relation to the guiding device; and a driving device which raises and lowers the career plate. The career plate is provided with a stopper which abuts on the guiding device when the career plate reaches an elevation-limiting position. The stopper is provided with an attaching portion which is attached to the career plate, and an abutting portion which abuts on the guiding device and elastically deforms when the stopper reaches the elevation-limiting position. The abutting portion is formed such that a width thereof becomes wider than the attaching portion and such that the width becomes smaller toward a distal end side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Munezane, Takahiro Shinkai
  • Patent number: 7765738
    Abstract: A sliding window assembly has at least one sliding pane mounted for travel along a travel path between a closed position in a first plane and an open position in an offset second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The window assembly has travel guide apparatus for guiding its movement along the travel path between the open and closed positions. The travel guide apparatus includes a track defining an elongate slot corresponding to the travel path, a fixed guide surface having a fixed position relative to the track, e.g., a pivot pin, and components cooperatively operative as a cam and slide movement for guiding travel of the sliding pane between its open and closed positions. Typically, for generally rectilinear sliding panes, a track, guide surface and cam and slide movement are provided for each corner of the sliding pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William T. Dufour, Kenneth E. Keck
  • Patent number: 7762020
    Abstract: A sliding wall-mounted interior door system that includes a telescoping door actuating mechanism that is attached to the upper portion of the door, and a roller assembly that extends horizontally from the wall and engages a track in the lower portion of the door. The door actuating system is designed so that the movement of one of the door panels simultaneously moves the other door panel in the opposite direction. The actuating mechanism is designed so that a gearing assembly within the actuating mechanism moves laterally when the door system is moved between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Georgios Petridis, Jason M. Walsh
  • Patent number: 7748168
    Abstract: A panel mounting system to secure a protective panel to a building including a portal or window having a frame including an inner surface formed about the periphery thereof to receive and secure the panel mounting system thereto so that the protective panel covers the portal or window when the panel mounting system is secured in place, the panel mounting system comprising an elongated cross-bar including end portions formed on opposite ends thereof having a first securing assembly including a first panel attachment device formed thereon telescopingly coupled to one end portion of the elongated cross-bar by a first positioning assembly movable between a retracted position and an extended position and a second securing assembly including a second panel attachment device formed thereon telescopingly coupled to the other end portion of the elongated cross-bar by a second positioning assembly movable between an extended position and a retracted position such that the first securing assembly and the second securing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Frank Ferrara
  • Patent number: 7748167
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device, particularly for doors, garage doors, etc., comprising a guide device, particularly a rail or guide rail, extending in movement direction of the door. The invention is characterised in that the feed means comprises a first insert body which can be plugged at the ends of the guide rail into this and is provided with a connecting cable and which is held at the guide rail end and constructed in such a manner that it fulfils its function not only at one end of the guide rail, but also at the other end of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sommer Antriebs-und Funktechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Frank-Uwe Sommer, Frank Sommer
  • Patent number: 7743557
    Abstract: A sliding track for sliding doors includes a sliding door track and a glass fixed panel track which have an inverted U-shape cross section with an opening facing downward. The sliding door track has a left and a right inner wall that have a pair of guiding tracks formed thereon to allow a plurality pairs of rollers which are hinged on a hanging track which is fastened to a sliding door on a lower side to roll thereon in a straddle manner. The sliding door track further has a pair of first wedge troughs on the upper left and upper right corners, and a pair of second wedge troughs on a lower side. The first and second wedge troughs are coupled with the glass fixed panel track. The sliding door track and the glass fixed panel track may also be coupled with an ornamental plate on the top. The glass fixed panel track may further be coupled with a sealing plate on the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Good Credit Corporation
    Inventor: Shou-Hsing Liao
  • Patent number: 7739836
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for establishing at least two open access door positions relative to an opening of a compartment. The apparatus includes a position defining member having at least one engagement element, and a stop member. The position defining member is adapted to be coupled to the compartment. A housing member is adapted to be coupled to the access door for movement therewith, and has an opening for translatable receipt of the position defining member. The housing member further includes an engagement element operable to engage the at least one engagement element of the position defining member to establish a first open access door position. The stop member contacting the housing member establishes a second open access door position approximately perpendicular to the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: John V Keane, Ronald Frank
  • Patent number: 7735263
    Abstract: A weather strip for a motor vehicle, capable of being readily attached to a flange with a low extensibility, and securely preventing noises from being transmitted via the flange. The weather strip includes a base portion for attachment to the flange, and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion for sealing between an opening portion and a closing member. The base portion includes at least an outer side wall and a bottom wall, a double-sided adhesive tape is bonded to an interior surface of the outer side wall, and at least one part of the outer side wall and the bottom wall is composed of a hard material such as a hard rubber, which is harder than a material of the remaining part thereof, and a material exhibiting a low extensibility, such as a resin sheet, is stuck to or embedded in the outer side wall and/or the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kisato Oba, Masahiro Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7726073
    Abstract: A sliding shoe for a sliding/pivoting window having a shoe body which is of two piece construction. A cam trapped between the two portions of the shoe has a cam-shaped body, which rotates in complementary cam-shaped openings through the shoe portions to expand the shoe laterally, and a chamfered cam-shaped annulus which rotates in a complementary bevelled seat in the shoe body to expand the shoe in a direction perpendicular to the lateral expansion. The shoe is thus locked in position in the frame channel very early in the rotational cycle of the cam, and provide secure locking engagement against the sides, top and bottom of the channel when the sash is pivoted only slightly out of the plane of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: S.I.L. Plastic Sales & Supplies Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Ifko
  • Patent number: 7685777
    Abstract: A weather strip exhibiting excellent sealing properties, of which a tubular seal portion is prevented from readily tilting when attached to a curved flange in a vehicle body. The weather strip includes a trim portion having a generally U-shaped cross-section and a tubular seal portion. The tubular seal portion includes a first outer seal wall, a second outer seal wall, a first inner seal wall, a second inner seal wall, an outer flexing part and an inner flexing part. The thickness of the tubular seal portion decreases in the order of joint areas of the first outer seal wall and the first inner seal wall to the trim portion, the second outer seal wall and the second inner seal wall, and the outer flexing part and the inner flexing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nozaki, Kiyotaka Tamaoki
  • Patent number: 7685772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a platform door device in which two movable fences 33, which are provided along the side edge 30a of a station platform 30 for getting on and off a car and each supported movably by a support member 32, move relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the platform 30 to open and close a passage between the platform side and the car side, wherein the platform door device is configured so that the two support members 32 are erected on the platform 30 and are housed in the two movable fences 33; the two support members 32 are housed in the two movable fences 33; and each of the support members 32 is arranged in a plane in the thickness direction of each of the movable fences 33 so as to be covered with the movable fence 33, by which the movable fence 33 can be moved relatively between the inner surface thereof and the outer surface of the support member 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuyasu Ohata
  • Patent number: 7669367
    Abstract: A horizontal wall is formed with a notch groove. The notch groove is formed by cutting a tip end of the horizontal wall on the side of the vehicle body substantially along an approaching/separating direction between a vehicle body and a slide door. A connecting unit which turnably connects a plate and a roller holder of a connection assembly to each other is movably inserted into the notch groove. The plate and the horizontal wall of the bracket are fastened to each other in a state where they are superposed on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoji Shimura, Hiroshi Morinaga
  • Patent number: 7661226
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for an easy installation storm door for installation in a home. The door system may include a door panel that is mounted onto two vertical z-bar frames such that the door system can be installed in a left hinge or right hinge format. The z-bar frames are precut at the factory to be shorter than a standard doorframe so that they do not have to be cut during installation. Also included in the system are top and bottom expanders that fit onto a top and bottom side of the door panel so as to selectively adjust the vertical height of the door panel. The top and bottom expanders further insure a reasonable air and moisture barrier between the interior and exterior of the home. The door system further includes a lock assembly that is pre-installed such that it can be utilized whether the door system is installed in a left hinge or right hinge format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Larson Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Keith Kibbel, Michael D. Gonnerman, Rashid Bharucha, Mark E. Abdella, Duane Pecinovsky, John M. Parkhurst, Gary L. Spoelstra, Todd N. Stratmoen, José Carlos Figueiredo da Cunha
  • Patent number: 7644539
    Abstract: A door sill and a sealing mechanism engage one another analogously to a rack and pinion in order to automatically create a weather-resistant closure at the gap between an inswinging exterior door bottom and the floor below. The sealing mechanism, which fastens to the door bottom, contains a door-wide rotating shaft with an arm extension tipped with a flexible seal. On the underside of the shaft extension is a short “pinion” component with elongated teeth that engage in corresponding recesses in the sill, raising and lowering the seal in the process. The pinion is positioned on the far lock side of the door, so that the teeth engage and the seal begins to drop only when the door is nearly closed. As the door opens and the seal rises, a magnet further retracts the shaft extension and retains it until the door is again closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Stephen Marshall Baxter
  • Patent number: 7640697
    Abstract: A guide piece, for connecting the fixing region of a guide rail to the door frame of a vehicle door, whereby the guide piece may be fixed in the external skin thereof, houses a fixing means and the fixing region of the guide rail which may be adjusted in the direction of the vehicle transverse axis (Y-axis) within the guide piece. The guide piece with fixing clips in slots in the external skin can be adjusted in the direction of the vehicle longitudinal axis (X-axis) as required, relative to the external skin of the door frame and may be pre-positioned on the fixing region of the guide rail with a positive fit. The guide piece is embodied in two pieces and comprises a cover which may be connected to a baseplate, between which a part of the fixing means is positively fitted and a part of the fixing region of the guide rail is adjustably arranged perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle door (Y-axis).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Thierry Florentin, Dalibor Rietdijk
  • Patent number: 7610720
    Abstract: A cable window regulator assembly is mounted to a carrier panel. At least four pulleys are spaced around the carrier panel, each rotating around an axis substantially perpendicular to the carrier panel. A lift plate assembly is displaced away from the carrier panel and is constrained to travel in a closure plane solely by the closure panel. An upper and a lower cable is trained around a first pair of the pulleys. One end of each of the upper and lower cables is affixed to a drive assembly; the other end of the upper and lower cables is affixed to the lift plate assembly on opposite sides near opposing edges of the lift plate assembly. Engaging the drive assembly causes the lift plate assembly to move towards either an open or a closed position. A follower cable, affixed to the lift plate assembly at opposite sides thereof and trained about a second pair of the pulleys, maintains coordinated travel of the lift plate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: MaGna Closures Inc
    Inventors: Juliusz Kirejczyk, Ed Fortin
  • Patent number: 7607963
    Abstract: A control apparatus for opening/closing a vehicle door includes a door opening/closing mechanism for operating the vehicle door, a driving source for driving the door opening/closing mechanism, a connecting/disconnecting apparatus interposed between the door opening/closing mechanism and the driving source, and a controlling apparatus for controlling the connecting/disconnecting apparatus. The controlling apparatus for opening/closing the vehicle door includes a door movement-detecting apparatus for detecting a movement of the vehicle door. The controlling apparatus switches the connecting/disconnecting apparatus from a connected state to a disconnected state when the driving source is stopped during in an opening/closing operation of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishihara, Yasuyuki Kozawa, Junichi Matsunaga