Patents Examined by Robert L. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 4966019
    Abstract: An anti-theft arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising an electrically operable device associated with a system or component essential to operation of the engine of the vehicle and which in a first state permits normal operation of the associated system or component and which in a second state does not, and wherein the supply of electrical current to said device is controlled by combination or key-operated switching means and in which the arrangement is such that said electrically operable device is automatically placed in its state preventing normal operation of the engine upon disconnection of the device from a supply of electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventors: David Hoffmann, Ralph L. Harris
  • Patent number: 4966018
    Abstract: A low profile high security latch 22 is provided comprising inner and outer housing portions 28, 30 defining a common bore 32 in which a shaft 42 moves rotationally and transistionally responsive to an attached handle 40, the housing outer portion 30 is outwardly recessed to receive the handle 40 protectively in reduces profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Peter Hauber
  • Patent number: 4966020
    Abstract: A novel locking mechanism and specific applications for same are disclosed. One aspect of the invention provides a product security system having a locking mechanism for preventing sliding movement between a slidably juxtaposed product container and product container locking structure, and a separate decoupling unit. The decoupling unit has a frame adapted to receive the slideably juxtaposed parts, and means within the frame adapted to disengage the locking mechanism, thereby permitting sliding decoupling of the parts. The locking mechanism has a magnetically attractable pin in a blind hole in the first part and a detent opening or recess in the second part. The pin is moveable between a first position in which the pin enters the detent, thereby preventing sliding movement between the first and second parts, and a second position in which the pin is retracted into the blind hole from the detent, thereby permitting sliding movement. Means are provided for biasing the pin into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: 880335 Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Fotheringham, Robin H. Fotheringham
  • Patent number: 4966021
    Abstract: A reprogrammable lock assembly of the wafer tumbler type which includes a plurality of wafer-type tumblers and cooperating followers mounted in a cylindrical plug and housing. The tumblers are movable radially in the plug to project beyond the plug into restricted pockets in the housing to maintain the lock in a locked position. A driver and adapter disposed in the opposite axial end of the housing from the key hole. The driver and adapter prevent rotation for unlocking unless a key having the proper length is inserted. In addition, the key must have the proper configuration to draw all of the tumblers within the confines of the plug in order to rotate the plug for reprogramming or unlocking of the door. The lock assembly is operated with a reprogramming key and a use key. A reprogramming key is used to rotate the plug to a resetting position which allows the tumblers to separate from the followers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Masco Building Products Corp.
    Inventor: Nigel Boag
  • Patent number: 4964286
    Abstract: A security device for a video recorder or player is adapted for insertion into the cassette-receiving opening and for locking therein.The device has a body (1) housing a locking mechanism (6) which cooperates with opposed locking members (4a, 4b) which are movable between retracted positions and the illustrated extended positions in which the members can frictionally engage the respective internal side walls of the opening to retain the device. The dimensions of the body are substantially the same as a standard video cassette except that the depth c is smaller; this and the fact that the device has a peripheral flange (2) adapted to engage the periphery of the opening thereby covering the opening and preventing the device from being inserted too far into the opening, prevent actuation of the cassette-receiving mechanism when the device is inserted in the cassette-receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Poyer
  • Patent number: 4964288
    Abstract: A locking device comprises a lock cylinder and a reversible flat key having indentations located on opposite broad faces of the key for the arrangement of tumbler pins, and having a rib associated with each row of indentations, into the sectional area of which at least one of the pins extends and the crest of which rib projects beyond the broad face of the key. The deepest reached indentation lies nearest to the crest of the rib and several indentations of a row of indentations are integrated into a through groove of variable depth levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: DOM-Sicherheitstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter B. Braun, Herbert P. Hauser, Alexander Stefanescu
  • Patent number: 4964284
    Abstract: A telephone lock for preventing the plug of a telephone from being inserted into a corresponding line jack unit comprises a locking means including a shank member of a suitable length and size to be accommodated in the socket of a line jack unit in substitution for a telephone plug proper. The shank member has a movable locking member mounted thereon which is arranged to be in use moved by the locking means to engage a part of the line jack unit socket to prevent removal of the telephone lock from the line jack unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Inventor: Denis McDaid
  • Patent number: 4962653
    Abstract: In a drive rod lock the drive rod is moved from a lock cylinder through a step-down gearing between an open position and a closed position and vice versa. A coupling of the step-down gearing to the drive rod is proposed which permits, in the case of rotation of the lock cylinder through 2.degree..times.360.degree., of shifting the drive rod from the open position into the closed position against displacement, without a torque being introduced due to the blocking forces into the step-down gearing and thus the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Aug. Winkhaus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ludger Kaup
  • Patent number: 4962651
    Abstract: A theft prevention device for use on the mounting bolts of automotive audio equipment such as radios and tape players. The device includes a pair of uniquely designed nuts with each nut having an overall shape of a truncated cone with a top, base, and conical exterior surface extending between the top and base. In operation, the first nut of each pair is initially threaded onto one of the bolts of the audio equipment using a special key that mates into a recessed portion in the base of the first nut. The radio or tape player is then manipulated to extend the mounting bolts through holes in the car's dashboard with the planar base of the first nut of each pair facing the interior side of the dashboard. The second nut of each pair is then threaded onto each bolt also using a special key that mates into a recessed portion in the top of each second nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Joyce K. Gibbs
  • Patent number: 4962652
    Abstract: A lock for a window on a topper cap found on pickup trucks and the like. The lock comprises an inner housing having a rotating geared pinion engaging two racks. The racks are attached to deadbolts that can extend and engage the frame tubing on opposite sides of the pinion gear. An outer housing surrounds the inner housing and the deadbolts. A handle shaft is disposed through the outer and inner housings to attach to the pinion gear. Turning the handle turns retracts or extends the deadbolts. The whole assembly can be easily installed by attaching the outer housing to the window inside surface. The housings make it difficult for intruders to open the window by tampering with the mechanical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventor: Randy R. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4961330
    Abstract: A combined panic exit and combination lock assembly for a security area door including a panic exit device on the door inner side and a high security combination lock on the door outer side, wherein operation of a panic bar from within the security area concurrently retracts both the latch system of the panic exit device and the lock bolt of the combination lock for egress from the security area. However, retraction of the panic exit latch system and of the lock bolt from outside the door requires independent unlocking operation of both the panic exit device and combination lock. A primary latch bolt of the exit device is retracted by a rod member and main control link, and secondary outputs and associated secondary latch bolts are connected to bellcranks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Sargent & Greenleaf, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter R. Evans
  • Patent number: 4961333
    Abstract: This specification describes an improved lock of the type described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,447, granted Jan. 10, 1989. In locks of that type, a key is inserted into a key-cylinder and then the key sets a series of transfer tumblers that, in turn, set a series of lock opening elements. As the key-cylinder is rotated, the transfer tumblers are moved out of contact with the elements. Only at this time can the lock be opened, provided that the elements had been set correctly. The improvement in this specification permits the lock to be opened by more than one key. In other words, this lock permits "master-keying".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Jacob Rabinow
  • Patent number: 4961332
    Abstract: A lock comprising notched combination disks, a bolt movable in translation and urged to its extended position which may be moved solely when a coded combination has been formed by rotation of the combination disks, and means for driving the bolt to its retracted position. In accordance with the invention, the lock comprises means for locking the bolt in the retracted position, means for making said bolt drive means inoperative when the bolt is in its retracted position, and means for unlocking the bolt once the door has been opened then closed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Decayeux S.A.
    Inventors: Serge Deswarte, Etienne Decayeux
  • Patent number: 4961328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder lock with a cylinder housing (1) and, rotatably mounted therein, a cylinder plug (2) comprising a key passage extending in its axial direction, with a lock bit (5) coupled to the cylinder plug and rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing (1), there being provided in the cylinder housing and in the cylinder plug a plurality of mutually aligned bores which extend into the passage and in which there are, by a spring force in the direction of the passage, plug pins which are of different lengths and housing pins which are preferably of the same length, there being formed between the cylinder housing and the cylinder plug a first separating joint traversed by the housing pins when the key is not inserted into the lock, the ends of the plug pins so co-operating with the locking notches of the key that when the key is inserted the pins are displaced in their axial direction into a position in which the bearing ends of all plug and housing pins are located in the first separating
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Erich Mundhenke
  • Patent number: 4961329
    Abstract: A protective padlock hasp for receipt of a range of padlocks having different length shackles for connecting adjacent parts together. The device includes a pair of mounting plates having formed integrally therewith one or more protective plates which are arranged to be disposed in confronting relationship with the shackle and are carried from the mounting plate by means of an intermediate web formed with openings for receipt therethrough of the opposite legs of the shackle. The dimensions of the shield plate is such that it extends downwardly to the body of the padlock and upwardly to the level of the closed horseshoe shaped end of the shackle to thus block access to such shackle by bolt cutters or the like. One or more spacer devices are provided for nesting against one of the mounting plates and are formed with a spacer leg to be disposed under the web and project downwardly into butting engagement with the top of the padlock body to block travel thereof upwardly toward the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: The Hartwell Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4959982
    Abstract: Interlock device between an ignition lock and a manual selector lever of an automatic gear-change transmission has a first latch element interacting with the ignition lock and a second latch element interacting with the manual selector lever. The two latch elements are connected by means of a flexible adjusting linkage for transmitting tensile and compressive forces so that only in the parking position of the manual selector lever is the ignition lock actuable into its position of rest which solely allows the ignition key to be removed and wherein the manual selector lever is blocked in its parking position when the ignition lock is in the position of the rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Lothar Mauz, Harald Gellner
  • Patent number: 4959983
    Abstract: A spare keys and retaining card set for automobiles and/or for other purpose locks mainly consists of a plurality of spare keys and a retaining card. Each spare key may be inset into the retaining card within a key shaped hollow and may be easily removed out of the hollow and the card, accordingly, for use by the user. The retaining card has a size similar to that of a name card and can be put into a wallet or a pocket for easy carry. Whenever the original key is lost or is not carried with the user, the spare key may timely resolve the problem to open a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Ming-Huei Hsu
  • Patent number: 4959978
    Abstract: A combination lock or padlock having pushbuttons where the combination of buttons to be pushed to open the lock is mechanically programmable by the user is disclosed. The lock has a case and a locking arm and associated slider, moveable between a locked and unlocked position. A plurality of buttons project from at least one side of the case, and are owner-reversible between two orientations and moveable through holes in the case between first and second positions. In one orientation, movement of the locking means is barred in the first position and permitted in the second position, and in the other orientation movement is permitted in the first position and barred in the second position. The orientation of any button is not being visually ascertainable from outside the case, so the lock owner can program the combination of the lock by selecting the orientation of the respective buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventors: Mitchell G. Cappell, Malcolm Stephens
  • Patent number: 4959980
    Abstract: A storage drum security apparatus (10) is provided to secure the apertures (24,26) on a storage drum or barrel (12). The apparatus (10) includes a large aperture subassembly (14) and a small aperture subassembly (16) which are interconnected by a securing bar subassembly (18). The first bung member (28) is provided with a post member (40) which extends upward through an isolator member (56) to engage a post receiving hole (98) formed in a flattened portion (92) of the securing bar (90) while the second bung member (66) includes a ball portion (80) on a neck (78) which mates with ball receiving structure (102) in the tubular portion (94) of the securing bar (90). This relationship prevents access to turn either of the bung members (28,66) while the securing bar (90) is in place. The securing bar (90) is also adapted to be used as a wrench to turn both the bung members (28,66 ) when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Inventor: Mark S. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4958508
    Abstract: A double hook-bolt mortise lock includes a cam form tumbler plate assembly comprised of a plurality of cam form tumbler plates driven by the steps of a key to define a space passage for passing therethrough of the key into a brake notch to further drive the cross bar of a main brake frame to move from one stop hole to the other. During movement of the main brake frame, an auxiliary brake frame is carried by means of two idle gears to make a rectilinear motion toward or against the main brake frame so as to drive the gears of two hook bolts to rotate, by means of the rack portions of the main and auxiliary brake frame, to further let the two hook bolts lock up with or lock from a striking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Emily M. Y. Lin