Patents Examined by Steven Meyers
  • Patent number: 5927775
    Abstract: A door locking system for child-safety door locking systems on an automobile door including a latch and a door lock mechanism. The door handle is incapable of unlatching the door when the locking mechanism locks the latch. The locking system includes a door panel having an opening for receiving the lock lever in a guard lock mode when moved to its locked position so that the lock lever is substantially recessed within the door panel. The lock lever and the door panel are constructed such that the lock lever cannot be accessed through the opening for manual movement back to its unlocked position. In the normal lock mode, the lock lever is not received within the opening in the door panel in the locked position so that it is accessible for manually moving the lock lever to the unlocked position. A key lock interconnects the lock lever and a lock rod for selectively actuating the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Earl M. Trammell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5927112
    Abstract: A theft detection mechanism is provided with a top ring which is depressed when a foreign object other than a key is inserted into a key inserting hole. A sensor is provided for detecting that the top ring is depressed. A top ring is inevitably pushed down when a foreign object other than a key is inserted into a key inserting hole to activate the sensor, thereby reliably detecting a stealing action. Moreover, the structure of a theft detection mechanism is made simple to reduce the cost thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akihiko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5927777
    Abstract: A lock set for a door has a cylindrical spindle integrally coupled with a knob and containing a slide plate which can be actuated to lock and unlock the cylindrical spindle against rotation. The cylindrical wall of the spindle is provided with two diametrically opposing grooves which extend axially from one end thereof to a predetermined depth and which are opened at the one end so as to facilitate installation of the slide plate in the spindle. The slide plate has two opposing lugs for insertion into the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Tong-Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Chuan Kuo, Ming-Shyang Chiou, Cheng-Wen Lai, Rong-Faa Wu, Po-Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 5927768
    Abstract: A non-handed actuator for window locks, including a base securable to the window frame, a handle secured to the base for pivoting about a first axis through an angle of approximately X degrees, an oppositely extending drive link secured for pivoting with the handle, and a connecting link securable to the lock control member of a window lock. The connecting link is pivotable relative to the drive link and includes a spacing member and a connecting member. The connecting member is securable to the lock control member and pivotable relative to the spacing member between limit positions approximately 180 degrees apart. Tabs on the spacing member abut the connecting member when the connecting member is at either of the limit positions, with the connecting link being pivotable relative to the drive link through an angle of approximately 2X degrees, where X is between 140 and 180.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Dallmann, Timothy T. Frenzen, Thomas J. Midas
  • Patent number: 5924751
    Abstract: A portable door lock assembly for locking a door in a partially open attitude has an elongated base member with a length greater than the width of a standard door frame. First and second hollow members are secured to opposite ends of the base member. A pair of central hollow members are secured to the base member between the first and second hollow members. An elongated cup mount member is provided. The cup mount member has a cup for receiving the bottom of a door pivotally secured to one end. Its other end has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first, second and central hollow members so the first, second and central hollow members can telescopingly receive the cup mount member. The cup mount member is telescopingly secured in the particular hollow member depending on the type of entryway and which side of the door is hinged to the frame. At no time during use does the door lock have to be bolted, screwed or otherwise fastened to the wall, door, or frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kenneth Emmons
    Inventor: Edward V. Moore
  • Patent number: 5921595
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a latching fork pivotal on the housing, and a release pawl pivotal on the housing between a latched position retaining the fork in a latched position engaged around a bolt and securing a motor-vehicle door closed and an unlatched position in which the fork can release the bolt and allow the door to open. An inside door handle can move between a center rest position, an end open position, and an end lock position. A bowden cable has a sheath fixed to the housing and a core having a pair of ends one of which is attached to the handle for displacement of another end of the core jointly with the door handle. A locking lever can pivot between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Horst Brackmann, Michael Strathmann
  • Patent number: 5921593
    Abstract: A movable tension tie assembly (10) for a fuselage of an airplane, includes a plurality of elongate struts (12a) and (12b) having a first end (16) and a second end (28) longitudinally spaced therefrom. The first end of each strut being swingingly connected to the interior of the fuselage for swinging movement of the struts between a retracted position, wherein the struts do not obstruct the interior of the fuselage, and an extended position, wherein the struts extend substantially across the diameter of the interior of the fuselage. The movable tension tie assembly also includes first and second lock assemblies (14a) and (14b) rigidly connected to the interior of the fuselage for locking engagement with the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Heinz Gassert
  • Patent number: 5921117
    Abstract: A locking receptacle and a locking device for securing a mailbox, package delivery box, or other receptacle requiring a single opening of the receptacle door for a mailperson or package delivery person to insert a package being delivered and upon subsequent closing of the door locking until unlocked by a person having a key or combination therefor to receive the delivery. The locking device mounts to the inside of the receptacle and has an arm which is pivotally attached to the door of the receptacle and to a reciprocally pivotal locking disk. A first pivoting lever is positioned to engage a slot in the periphery of the locking disk when the door is closed so as to restrain the locking disk and the door in a closed position. A spring-biased, reciprocally pivotal counting disk is arranged to turn with the locking disk as the door is opened and to lock in that position by means of a second pivoting lever which engages a slot in the periphery of the counting disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Frank J. Illguth
  • Patent number: 5921118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved shift lever lock structure of a car, wherein, a lock core and an upper and a lower bead seat are placed in from the front end of the housing of the lever lock, the lock core is extended through a through hole on the wall of the housing, then a C shaped ring and a moving sheet set for the lock are mounted on and secured, a movable side pin is transversely provided on the upper bead seat, it can be pushed to open the lock when a key is inserted, the lock core is very difficult to be destroyed from the front end thereof, thus an additional safety is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Li Chi Yuan
  • Patent number: 5918918
    Abstract: A yieldable plastic collar is mounted on the latch housing to surround the entry recess of the housing and be engaged by the striker to thereby isolate the striker from noise producing contact with the housing. The plastic collar has a base portion attached to the housing and a striker contacting portion projecting from the base portion into the entry recess of the latch housing. The contacting portion is connected to the base portion by an integrally molded living hinge so that the contacting portion yields to remain in full time contacting engagement with the striker irrespective of shifting movement or misalignment between the housing and the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Matthew Mosley
  • Patent number: 5918490
    Abstract: A golf club locking device and golf club holder assembly is provided, comprising an upper housing element having a substantially circular configuration, an outer locking knob coupled to the upper housing element, an inner locking coupler operably linked to the outer locking knob, and a locking plate secured to the inner locking coupler. A key cylinder is communicatively linked to the locking plate and a rubber bumper for holding golf clubs within the assembly is secured to the locking plate. A cable locking mechanism for locking the assembly to any object or to a golf bag is secured to a cable anchor plate and locking cable, and a lower housing element is configured to be adapted secured to the upper housing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Ronald K. Lion
  • Patent number: 5918915
    Abstract: A locking device for a set of double sliding doors comprising two U-shaped clips and a flexible band operatively engaging both clips. The locking device is designed to prevent the relative movement of double sliding doors which comprise an interior door and an exterior door, with the interior door sliding in an interior track and the exterior door sliding in an exterior track. The interior and exterior tracks are parallel to each other. In a closed position, an inside vertical stile of the interior door is adjacent to, and which overlaps an inside vertical stile of the exterior door defining a space between the interior and exterior doors. A U-shaped clip is secured to the inside stile of each sliding door. The flexible band is secured at its first end to the U-shaped clip secured to the inside stile of the interior door and then traverses through the space between the interior and exterior doors to the inside stile of the exterior door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Calteux
  • Patent number: 5915765
    Abstract: A latch assembly (20) for securing opposed catches (24), (24') is provided. The latch includes a housing (32); a stationary center link (34); first and second elongated links (36, 38); first and second intermediate links (40, 42); and first, second, and middle crosspins (44), (46), (48). The housing includes opposed upright side walls (52), (54) each including first and second cam slots (58), (60). The center link includes an upright slot (56). The first and second elongated links each include distal and proximal ends (70), (74) and (68), (72). The distal ends each include a hook (22), (22'). Each elongated link further includes an L-shaped slot (86), (88) located between the link's distal and proximal ends. The first and second intermediate links each include distal and proximal ends (92), (96) and (90), (94).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Joe E. Sternberger
  • Patent number: 5916282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catch for a door, especially a switchboard door, with a lock plate which can be secured to the door and bears a door lock and a bolt cover guided adjustably on the lock plate which can be secured in a position covering the door lock by means of a cover lock. Complete sealing with substantially increased security against unauthorized access to the door lock is attained in that the door lock takes the form of a casement lock and the cover lock that of a cylinder lock, a partial cover is secured to the lock plate which overlaps with the bolt cover in the locked position at the contact point and forms a sealed lock cover, and a cover for the cylinder lock is rotatably fitted on the bolt cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oskar Elm, Udo Munch, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 5913649
    Abstract: A protector cap for covering a mounting bolt head has a spacer interposed between the cap and the bolt to position the cap with respect to the bolt head and to isolate the cap from the bolt head. The cap is made of a resin. The spacer is a separate member engaged with the inner surface of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazunori Tomimatsu, Kenichi Saito, Tetsuo Maki, Masanobu Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5911762
    Abstract: A device for mechanically securing an article against theft is suggested, wherein the device comprises a first holding component with a securing surface for securing to an object, a second holding component for securing to the article, a cable connecting the two holding components and connecting components respectively associated with the holding components and having undercut sections for providing a releasable, form-locking holding connection of the two holding components. A very simple handling of the device is achieved by the fact that at least one of the connecting components comprises an undercut section with a mating surface inclined in relation to the securing surface such that the holding connection can be released by means of a releasing force acting at right angles to the securing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Reinhold Ott
  • Patent number: 5911766
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lock cylinder with a cylinder core arranged rotatable in a housing and an overload coupling device, which consists of at least one radially slidable tang which is connected non-rotatable to the cylinder core, as well as of a control element cooperating with the tang in case of overload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo GmbH & Co. Schliesssysteme KG
    Inventors: Kurt Lieb, Stephan Chevalier, Martin Richter, Thomas Hering
  • Patent number: 5909918
    Abstract: A deck lid may be released via rotation of a latch release shaft. A pinion gear is operably connected with the release shaft for rotating the release shaft. An electric motor has a gear meshing with the pinion gear and is energizable to rotate the pinion gear. An electrical switch is located inside the vehicle for energizing the electric motor. According to the invention, a blocking member is movably mounted on the latch and movable between a normal disengaged position, permitting rotation of the pinion gear by the motor, and a blocking position in which the blocking member engages the pinion gear to block rotation thereof by the electric motor. In a preferred embodiment, the blocking member is slidably mounted on the latch and the pinion gear has a toothed periphery with a cutout into which the blocking member is slid to block rotation of the pinion gear, thereby causing the motor to stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Kowalewski, Matthew John Karl, Thomas Grzanka, Robert Milne, Eric Michael Fischer, Vasanth Suratkal
  • Patent number: 5908213
    Abstract: A removable door locking device having a strong, flexible, resilient, elastic loop capable of absorbing instantaneous force applied to the door. One end of the loop fits tightly around the door knob and the other end of the loop has multiple attachment points to a wall member for adjustment of tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventors: David R. Tippetts, Robert T. Parks
  • Patent number: 5906120
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle steering column lock assembly is disclosed for use with a steering wheel connected to a steering column passing through a steering column housing to which an ignition switch is mounted. The assembly has a lock ring adapted to be mounted to the steering column and having at least one lock recess on an end thereof and a lock pawl movable between a lock position engaged in the lock recess and an unlock position disengaged from the at least one lock recess. A tray is adapted for slidable movement within the steering column housing generally parallel to the steering column, the tray having a lock pawl bed allowing the lock pawl to slide therein generally parallel to the steering column. Tray control means operatively connecting the ignition switch and the tray move the tray between at least two positions in which the lock pawl alternately engages and disengages the lock ring to prevent and allow, respectively, rotation of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarke Fisk Thacker, Robert Daniel Restauri