Patents Examined by Steven A Tullia
  • Patent number: 11280110
    Abstract: A door frame profile and reinforcement assembly to increase the resistance of an entry door and door frame to forced entry by an intruder. Increased resistance is achieved by fitting and securing a U-shaped bar within a machined slot in the back of the door frame and attaching a shaped plate or plates that fits within the shaped bar and retains the door's throw bolt of the deadbolt and/or latch of the door lock. Optionally, with stronger door frames, the shaped plate alone may suffice, and the plate can be modified to a simple L-shaped form, a portion of which is inserted into a narrow groove which replaces the machined slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: David W Moeller
  • Patent number: 11272826
    Abstract: An appliance door latch system is provided that automatically aligns latching components each time an appliance door is closed with a pre-latching catch alignment system. The pre-latching catch alignment system may include a floating catch carrier that is deflected by a door-mounted latch feature to passively reposition a catch to properly align with the striker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Krieger, Nicola Sartori
  • Patent number: 11268308
    Abstract: Fenestration lock assemblies, fenestration units including the lock assemblies, and methods of operating the lock assemblies. The lock assemblies offer a lock assembly construction that is capable of being assembled, installed, and used in a purely manual mode (i.e., in the absence of any driving unit such as, e.g., a motor, solenoid, etc.) or that may be assembled, installed, and used with a driving unit such that the lock assembly can be operated manually or in a driven mode, with the manual and driven modes of operation being unaffected by each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Andersen Corporation
    Inventors: Chad Wernlund, David D. Plummer
  • Patent number: 11268296
    Abstract: A toggle latch device translates a first push and release of a button to a locking pin translation from retracted to extended from within a housing. A second push and release of the button reverses the locking pin translation from extended to retracted back within the housing. The latch button remains desirably flush with the housing after each push and release. The translation of the latch button and that of the locking pin is angularly displaced by 90 degrees allowing the toggle latch device to employ a unique lever system which includes a buckling spring combined with a reversing hat which forces the locking pin in each of extension and retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Hoogland
  • Patent number: 11261626
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a storage compartment in an automobile is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a latch module, including a latch bolt, and a striker. The latch bolt is moveable between an extended latched position, in which the bolt axis is coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the latch casing, and a retracted unlatched position, in which the bolt is withdrawn into, and its axis is oblique with respect to, the latch casing. When in the oblique position, the latch bolt is retained in the unlatched position within the latch casing. A spring member within the latch casing biases the latch bolt to both extend axially from the latch casing, and pivotally toward the inner retaining surface of the latch casing. Upon closure, the bolt is moved, via contact with the striker, from the withdrawn oblique retained position, and returns via spring bias to the latched extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLVO CAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Piotr Kulicki
  • Patent number: 11230865
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door closer mechanism having a receptacle, countersunk in the door frame, for the deadbolt of a device, countersunk in the door, for controlling the deadbolt from the closing position to the opening position by means of a manually controllable actuation member. So that, without an additional key-actuated lock, the closing position can be locked in the closing position and fixed without making the ease of adjustment into the opening position more difficult, the invention provides that the actuation member of the device countersunk in the door is embodied as a handle recess, which in the closing position controls a slide via a rotatably supported angled control piece, and the slide, via a rotatably supported lever, secures the deadbolt in the receptacle in the door frame, and upon actuation of the recessed handle in the door, via the angled control piece and the slide, the deadbolt can be adjusted into the opening position of the door, and the door is enabled to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Wofgang Held
  • Patent number: 11225815
    Abstract: A compact vehicle side door latch apparatus has a latch that is rotated from an unlatched position to a fully-latched position, a ratchet that engages the latch in order to prevent the latch from being rotated in a releasing direction, a door opening link that is moved in a door opening direction in order to allow the ratchet to be disengaged from the latch, a motor that moves the door opening link in the door opening direction by motor power, and a door key lever that moves the door opening link in the door opening direction by an operation of a key plate. The door key lever is connected to the door opening link with play, and the motor power is transmitted to the door opening link without passing through disconnecting means of the power transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Taichiro Nagata, Yasuhiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 11220843
    Abstract: An electronic lock assembly according to the invention includes a capacitor unit for storing secondary power, a test circuit for testing the capacitor unit. The test circuit is arranged to connect a test load to the capacitor unit for testing its condition, and to measure the voltage of the capacitor unit before connecting the test load, slightly after connecting the test load, and slightly before disconnecting the test load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: ABLOY OY
    Inventors: Taneli Harkonen, Mika Purmonen, Markku Makkonen, Esko Strommer
  • Patent number: 11220839
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provided where the latch is moveable to open and close a door by operation of a dead lock assembly that blocks or unblocks movement of a bolt. In a blocked state, a blocking cartridge of the dead lock assembly is prevented from inward movement, blocking inward movement of the bolt. Turning a door knob or door handle causes a spindle extending through the dead lock assembly to move locking bars of the dead locking assembly, the locking bars moving further apart to permit the blocking cartridge to slide there between and move inwardly into the latch housing. The bolt can now move inward by force of the door jamb upon the bolt in order to clear the door jamb when opening and closing the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Oscar Romero
  • Patent number: 11193314
    Abstract: An emergency escape apparatus includes a support frame that is configured to be installed on a door or a wall and that defines an exit opening, an escape door that is located at an inner side of the exit opening and configured to open and close the exit opening and that defines an accommodation space, a driving unit located in the accommodation space and configured to rotate relative to the escape door, and an unlocking device that is located in the accommodation space, that is configured to be pushed by the driving unit, and that is configured to release coupling between the escape door and the support frame based on rotation of the driving unit. The driving unit is configured to be controlled by a control unit based on a sensor detecting an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventor: Hoyoung Kang
  • Patent number: 11193308
    Abstract: A latch control device includes a mounting seat and a locking cap device pivotably mounted to the mounting seat and pivotable relative to the mounting seat between a closure position and a non-closure position. Optionally mounted to the latch control device are a first accessory, a second accessory, a third accessory, a first escutcheon, and a second escutcheon. The latch control device is selectively assembled into a first mode (including a detecting device), a second mode (including the detecting device, the first accessory, and the third accessory), or a third mode (including the detecting device, the first accessory, and the second accessory) for cooperating with a cylindrical latch device, a first box type latch device, or a second box type latch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: l-TEK METAL MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11187019
    Abstract: A method of installing a door-carriable portion (2), for a door stop (1), to be carried by a door. The door-carriable portion includes a magnet and a retaining member (7). The method includes drilling a hole in a bottom of the door; placing the magnet in the hole; and fastening the retaining member to the bottom of the door to at least partly span the opening to retain the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HGT Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sellar, Kylie Jane Lush, Clayton Steve Lush
  • Patent number: 11174581
    Abstract: A door latch for an electrical domestic appliance includes a rotary member rotationally movable in a rotation plane between a closing rotational position and a release rotational position, a movably arranged catch for arresting engagement by an overlifting rotational movement of the rotary member with the rotary member in its closing rotational position, and a locking assembly having a locking member movable between an unlocking position and a locking position. The rotary member is spring-biased towards the release rotational position and which, in the closing rotational position, holds a closure member to keep a door closed and, in the release rotational position, releases the closure member in order for the door to open. The locking member forms a first blocking arrangement by means of which the locking member in its locking position blocks the rotary member against rotation out of the closing rotational position into the release rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: EMZ-HANAUER GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Albert Dirnberger, Dominik Walz
  • Patent number: 11156025
    Abstract: An exemplary damper module is configured for use with a latchbolt assembly, and generally includes a mounting bracket, a first slowing mechanism, and a second slowing mechanism. The latchbolt assembly generally includes a drive member, a latchbolt, and a retractor connected between the drive member and the latchbolt. Each of the slowing mechanisms is independently operable to slow the extension speed of the latchbolt. The first slowing mechanism includes a rack gear and a rotary damper including a pinion gear. The rack gear is configured to be mounted to the drive member, and the rotary damper is mounted to the mounting bracket. The second slowing mechanism includes a slowing arm and a biasing member engaged with the slowing arm. The slowing arm is movably mounted to the mounting bracket and is configured to engage the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Vijayakumar Mani, Paul R. Arlinghaus, Saagar Mohammed
  • Patent number: 11111705
    Abstract: A latch arrangement may comprise a latch bolt configured to rotate about a pivot, and a shear pin coupled to the latch bolt. A counterbore may receive the shear pin whereby lateral loads may be transferred between a door panel and a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: David Louis Lipson, Paul F McMahan
  • Patent number: 11111707
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a safety door barricade for use with a door of a school room or the like. It is made of a single piece of angle iron having a base portion and a back portion disposed 90 degrees apart with a curved handle extending from the surface of the base portion to the back portion along with a downwardly extending rod which is designed for insertion into a hole disposed in the surface of the floor adjacent the door just inside the door. When the device is in inserted in its safety barricade position, and the door is opened against the back plate of the device, a barricade is provided. When the device is not in its safety barricade position, it is placed into an adjacent hole in the floor next to the door wherein the safety device can be stored in an unobtrusive location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Perry Mason Balli
  • Patent number: 11111697
    Abstract: A door lock actuation device configured for operating a door lock in a door blade, wherein the door lock includes a dead bolt driven by rotation of a connector is provided. The device includes a casing, inside which there is provided a motor for driving a rotational connector-receiver that receives and rotates the connector. The device also includes a rotational handle mechanically connected to the connector-receiver, for forcing rotation of the connector-receiver by manual rotation of the handle. The motor is selectively disconnectable from the connector-receiver for manual driving of the connector-receiver by the handle without backdriving the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: DANALOCK APS
    Inventor: Henning Overgaard
  • Patent number: 11098503
    Abstract: A lock device for holding an openable and closable member mounted on an opening portion of a fixed member, includes a base member, an operation member, and a rod. The operation member has an operating portion exposed to a front side of an outer member, and a pivotally supporting portion pivotally supported on the base member. The base member has a hook portion configured to be hooked on a mounting edge portion formed on the outer member, and a locking claw portion configured to be locked on a locking edge portion formed on a rear side of the outer member to restrict the base member from moving in a direction in which the base member moves away from a rear surface of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PIOLAX, INC.
    Inventor: Hisashi Nakasone
  • Patent number: 11035159
    Abstract: A gate assembly has a gate panel with a hinge, a latch assembly, and a base member connected to a wall. The latch assembly has a catch member for engaging the base member when the gate panel is in a closed position, and a channel member for locking the catch member against rotation. The catch member is rotatable about a vertical axis and has an open channel facing the base member. The channel member has an open channel facing downwardly that can be lowered onto the catch member to prevent rotation. The channel member has released positions in which one side of the channel member is above the catch member to allow the gate panel to open, and another side of the channel member remains below an upper end of the catch member to prevent the catch member from pivoting past the latched position when the gate panel is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Flint Hills Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Kaufman