Patents Examined by Steven Meyers
  • Patent number: 5906123
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle door latch assembly includes inhibiting means for preventing accidental setting of the latch to locked condition while the door is open. A resiliently loaded plunger is guided in fixed structure between a blocking position at which a head or other stop formation of the plunger prevents shifting of an element of a locking mechanism to its locked position and a free position at which locking can take place. The plunger co-acts with a face of a claw or other latch formation or with a face of a pawl or other retention element whenever the latter formation or element are not in their door securing relationship so preventing movement of the plunger from the blocking position until the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Ltd.
    Inventor: Nigel Spurr
  • Patent number: 5906404
    Abstract: A latch socket is provided for reinforcing the lock achieved between the door and a door frame utilizing a deadbolt lock or a key lock. The latch socket includes a relatively rigid elongated metallic one-piece homogeneous cast metal member having an exterior cylindrical surface with a coarse thread cast therein which is adapted to be threaded into a relatively large diameter drill hole of an associated door frame. The member includes opposite tubular end portions with a wall therebetween having a socket for receiving a drive tool for imparting axial and rotational drive force to the member for threading the same into or unthreading the same from an associated door frame drill hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: John D. McGhee
  • Patent number: 5906124
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a base member having a bottom with a peripheral wall extending from a periphery defining the bottom, two rods extending from the bottom and two openings defined through the peripheral wall. Each of the rods has a board and a disk respectively and rotatably mounted thereto which is accessed via the openings. Each of the boards has a protrusion extending therefrom which has two sides. A slide has a slot defined therethrough so as to slidably mount to the rods. A periphery defining the slot has two pairs of opposite sides, a width between each of the two opposite sides being smaller than a length of the protrusion and larger than a width between the two sides of the protrusion. The movement of the slide actuates a limit device disposed to the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Shun-Chang Su
  • Patent number: 5906125
    Abstract: An auxiliary lock includes a cylinder which includes a tailpiece projected from one end thereof, a cylinder housing firmly receiving the cylinder therein and including a hollow protrusion projected from a shoulder thereof, a trim rotatably receiving the cylinder housing therein, a ring defining an opening at a center thereof and including a first flange extending around the opening and a second flange formed around a periphery of the ring at an opposite surface from which the first flange projects. The disk-like hollow protrusion is received in the opening of the ring, with the shoulder of the cylinder housing being in contact with the ring and an end portion of the trim being rotatably received in the second flange of the ring. A first engagement plate is engaged to a second engagement plate which is installed with a knob. The knob is engaged to the tailpiece of the cylinder and is manually controllable to rotate the tailpiece, which in turns rotates the cylinder to unlock or lock the auxiliary lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Inventor: Mu-lin Shen
  • Patent number: 5904385
    Abstract: The invention concerns a handle, especially with a lock, for the exterior of a motor vehicle's gate or door, with a housing in which the handle is sunk, and on which the handle is linked swivel-mounted whereby it is possible to grab around the handle by hand, whereby the front surface of the housing is completely or partially covered on the outside by a covering disk which is swivel-mounted or slidable in such a manner relative to said housing, that the covering disk covers up the handle in the disk's closed-position and the covering disk releases the handle in the disk's open-position, and that the handle 3 is acted upon in an external direction by a spring, by which the handle can be pressed from its internal position into its external position protruding outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Valeo Deutschland GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Anton Linder
  • Patent number: 5904383
    Abstract: An anti-theft bolt guard is shown having a cylindrical body (65) for placing over a nut (60) of an installed bolt (30). Third washer (45) engages bolt (30) and the body (65) is affixed to the bolt (30) with a threaded circular guard nut (85). The guard nut (85) is tightened with a special key (120). A fourth washer (46) engages the guard nut (85) and an adhesive (57) material may be inserted. The guard nut (85) is then sealed off with the insertion of a press fit seal cover (95) thus providing a device that prevents easy access to the nut (60) and removal of the bolt (30).Protection for the exposed head (32) of a bolt can be obtained by inserting the bolt (30) through a head guard (35) where a press fit head cover (25) is inserted in the first end (36). An adhesive (57) can be inserted to increase the difficulty of removal of the protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Johannes van der Wal
  • Patent number: 5904384
    Abstract: A push pad releasable exit device with continuous deadlocking for mounting near a door edge for engaging a lock strike includes a housing having first and second sidewalls upon which are mounted two end walls and an internal wall parallel to the end walls, each of the end walls and the internal wall having a hole, the holes being aligned on a common axis, the first sidewall having a wedge stop projecting inwardly therefrom toward the axis of the holes in the end walls and the internal wall; a tapered latch bolt mounted on a cylindrical shaft the shaft extending through the holes and having a provision for urging the latch bolt toward the lock strike; a wedge plate having a hole providing clearance around the shaft and aligned with the holes in the end walls, having a tab pivotally resting in a slot of the second wall, and having a corner distal from the tab resting against the wedge stop when the door is in an open position; a provision for sensing when the door is in a closed position and for flipping the we
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald E. Mader, William P. Dye, Matthew S. Prucinsky
  • Patent number: 5904057
    Abstract: A lockable fuel cap is provided including a closure member having a drive tooth and a removal hub. The hub includes a drive lug and moves between a lock position in which the drive lug is spaced-apart from the drive tooth and a release position in which the drive lug engages the drive tooth. An outer shell is also provided and includes an interior wall defining a guiding slot to receive the drive lug and guide movement of the removal hub between the two positions. The shell is drivingly coupled to the hub so that the member remains stationary upon rotation of the shell when the drive lug is in the lock position. The member rotates upon rotation of the shell when the drive lug is in the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: William Abney, III, Jeffery Griffin
  • Patent number: 5901587
    Abstract: A padlock with safety locking mechanism is provided. The padlock includes a casing, a leverage latch plate in cooperation with a combination locking mechanism to rotatably lock or unlock the padlock and a plurality of sleeves slidably disposed on a cylindrical slide enabling the change of combination code by the users themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventor: Cheng-jung Chen
  • Patent number: 5901989
    Abstract: A lock system for the inactive door of a two door swinging combination is provided which prevents the active door from being latched or completely closed without locking the inactive door in place against the door frame and/or floor. Further, with the active door closed, the latch of the active door prevents movement of the slider of the inactive door lock mechanism and thereby prevents any unlocking of the inactive door until the latch of the active door has been removed and the active door opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Reflectolite
    Inventors: Donald A. Becken, Ivanhoe E. Chaput
  • Patent number: 5899098
    Abstract: A tamper resistant combination lock including a housing having a through bore receiving a locking plunger with a plurality of integral-spaced obstructions thereon, the housing having a plurality of transverse slots each receiving one of two identical blocking slides that snap between three distinct positions, one passing the obstructions and plunger, and two blocking the obstructions and plunger. Lock picking is minimized by flexible fingers in the slides that engage the plunger obstructions when the slides are in the plunger passing position to simulate the slide blocking positions as the lock picker tugs the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventors: Robert L. Carter, George W. Carter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5899509
    Abstract: A triple articulating security device for use with a door, such as a house door having a hinged side and a latch (opening) side device holds a door in a closed (security) position or in a partially open (viewing) position. The security device generally comprises a pair of mounting brackets and a bar. The mounting brackets mount, preferably on opposite sides of the door. The bar comprises a viewing portion pivotally mounted to the latch-side bracket, an elongated telescoping portion pivotally mounted to the hinge-side bracket, a pivot pivotally joining their inner ends, a locking mechanism for selectively locking the pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventors: Lee T. Ferguson, Raul A. Castro
  • Patent number: 5899508
    Abstract: A door latch assembly has a housing defining a mouth. A detent fork is pivotally mounted within the housing to cooperate with the mouth to pivot between an open and closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper of a striker. The detent fork is biased in the open condition. A pivotally mounted pawl is biased into engagement with the detent fork for retaining the detent fork in the closed condition. A pivotally mounted inside release lever is movable between a stand-by position and a release position and biased to the stand-by position. A pivotally mounted outside release lever is movable between a stand-by position and a release position, and biased to the stand-by position. A pivotally mounted locking cam operably engages the pawl for positioning the pawl to selectively engage the release levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Atoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Roman Cetnar, Kris Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 5899102
    Abstract: A simplified firearm lock includes: a male fastening member having a latch formed thereon, a female fastening member having a catch engageable with the latch of the male fastening member to be disposed on opposite sides of a trigger guard of a firearm or handgun, and a locking device provided in the female fastening member for preventing the disengagement of the catch of the female fastening member from the latch of the male fastening member for locking the two fastening members and the trigger of the firearm, whereby upon unlocking of the locking device, the catch will be disengaged from the latch for separating the two fastening members for unlocking the trigger of the firearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Chong-Kuan Ling
  • Patent number: 5897149
    Abstract: A multiple electromagnetic barrier lock system employs a plurality of electromagnetic lock assemblies for locking the barrier to the barrier frame. An armature assembly electromagnetically bonds to the electromagnet when the barrier is closed. Each armature/electromagnet assembly has an armature plate with an attractive face oriented toward the electromagnet and an oppositely positioned rear face oriented toward the barrier face. A mounting assembly is configured to mount the armature plate to the barrier face so that the armature plate is positionable in a first position closer to the barrier face and a second position away from the barrier face. A spring biases the armature plate to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Harrow Products, Inc.
    Inventor: George Frolov
  • Patent number: 5893593
    Abstract: A relay assembly for a vehicle sliding door comprises an outer opening lever mounted on a base plate for releasing a latch unit by operation of an outside open handle, a locking lever mounted on the base plate and having an unlocked position and a locked position, an inner opening lever mounted on the base plate for releasing the latch unit by operation of an inside open handle, a child-proof lever mounted on the base plate and having a non-proof position and a proof position, and a ratchet lever mounted on the base plate and coupled to the latch unit through a rod or wire. The locking lever and child-proof lever are pivotally mounted on the base plate by a first shaft, and are provided on opposite sides of the base plate, respectively. The inner opening lever and outer opening lever are pivotally mounted on the base plate by a second shaft parallel to the first shaft, and are provided on opposite sides of the base plate, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Patrick J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 5890382
    Abstract: A multishaft combination lock includes a lock body, an alignment sleeve, and a detachable pin. The alignment sleeve has a hole and is rotatably coupled to the lock body to provide access into the lock body. The alignment sleeve has an angled cutout at a first end, with the alignment of the cutout being adjusted by rotating the alignment sleeve. The detachable pin has a floating bushing that can be misaligned with the principle axis of the detachable pin. To lock the multishaft combination lock, the lock body is fitted to the detachable pin through the hole of the alignment sleeve with the floating bushing misaligned with the angled cutout. When the detachable pin is fully inserted into the lock body, the floating bushing is positioned beyond the end of the alignment sleeve within the lock body and becomes misaligned or offset with the alignment sleeve. To unlock the lock, the alignment sleeve is rotated so that the angled cutout is aligned with the floating bushing of the detachable pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth Wang
  • Patent number: 5890752
    Abstract: A push-type lock for fire-blocking door which includes a base body, a frame mounted on the base body, a latching member pivotally mounted on the frame, an actuating piece mounted also on the frame, and a safety release unit penetratingly secured for the frame. The safety release unit includes a rod member, an inner end and an outer end formed on both ends of the rod member respectively, a spiral spring coupled axially to the rod member and positioned between the inner end and an inner surface of the frame, and a hot-melt member sleeving the rod member between the outer end and an outer surface of the frame and subject to being melted away when heated. As a consequence of the hot-melt member being melted away, the rod member will be moved to the inside of the frame due to the compressed spiral spring, thus allowing the rod member to be moved to a position blocking up the way the latching member can be withdrawn to the inside of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Chin-Tien Lin
  • Patent number: 5890385
    Abstract: A safety door lock comprises follower member turned with an inside door knob or an outside door knob to move a latch bolt between the locking position and the unlocking position, and a clutch controlled by a push block between a first position where the outside door knob is coupled to the follower member and a second position where the outside door knob is disconnected from the follower member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Ming-Kun Lee
  • Patent number: 5888041
    Abstract: A lock nut for connecting a joint having a threaded connector has a first nut member which is engageable with a threaded connector and is axially displaceable, a second nut member which is engageable with the first nut member and is rotatable about an axis, a third nut member which is non-rotatably but axially displaceably connected with the first nut member and has a substantially smooth surface over which the second nut member moves during rotation, so that when the second nut member is rotated about the axis against the smooth surface of the third nut member, the first nut member is displaced axially to apply a load to the threaded connector and to tighten the lock nut, and a locking element which non-rotatably connects the first and second nut members with one another after tightening of the lock nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Inventor: John K. Junkers