Patents Examined by Suzanne D Barrett
  • Patent number: 7878034
    Abstract: An intuitively operable door locking arrangement and a method include, a lock-point arming input element that is connected directly to a handle-operated control element of the locking arrangement, rather than being connected directly to a lock-point of the door locking arrangement. The locking arrangement and method may be used in hinged single or multiple-panel installations, having single, and/or multiple lock-points, may allow keyless locking from outside, and may include a latching arrangement. In active door locking apparatuses, the lock-point is movable only through operation of the handle-operated control element. The lock point arming element is selectively moveable between an armed and a disarmed position thereof, and is configured and connected to the handle-operated control element in such a manner that the handle-operated control element may be used to move the lock-point to the locked position thereof only when the lock-point arming input element is in the armed position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: HOPPE Holding AG
    Inventors: Helmut Alber, Oliver Erich Rudolf Schuberth, Christian Josef Stephan Zeus, Dan Mattrisch, Eric Stoutenborough, Matt Taylor
  • Patent number: 7874191
    Abstract: A cylinder lock includes a lock housing receiving a plug assembly that has a key hole, tumbler pieces having respective toothed parts, and a re-keying unit. The re-keying unit has rotatable gear wheels engaged releasably with the respective toothed parts to reposition the respective tumbler pieces. The gear wheels disengage from the respective tooth parts by moving transversely of a longitudinal axis of the lock housing. Re-keying methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Liang Chiang, Ju-Lin Yang, Po-Yang Chen, Kun-Chen Lee, Rong-Faa Wu, Ching Chuan Kuo
  • Patent number: 7874190
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electromechanical lock cylinder that cooperates with evaluation electronics to recognize access authorization and has a housing that includes two opposite cylindrical receptacles, in which a lock core, which can be operated by a key, or a knob shaft, which is connected to rotate in unison with a know, are mounted to rotation, in which the lock core and/or knob shaft cooperate with a lock tab, which operates, in particular, a bolt or latch with a door lock, and, with a fitting key or access authorization, an electromechanically driven blocking or coupling element is moved from the rest position to an operating position and produces a splined connection between the key or knob and the lock tab, characterized by the fact that the lock tab is freely rotatable relative to the two lock cores or the two knob shafts in the rest position of the blocking or coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: ASSA Abloy AB
    Inventors: Volker Krisch, Hardy Bismark, Bernhard Mueller, Jürgen Hofmann, Bertrand Roland
  • Patent number: 7874188
    Abstract: An anti-theft shield that protects the latching apparatus on the large rear doors of cargo trucks and truck trailers is provided, the shield including an elongated sheath-like member for sliding over and enclosing the cargo door latch handle, and a connected panel member for extending over and protecting the cargo door latch mechanism and the associated padlock for locking the latch handle to the latch mechanism. At a first end of the sheath-like member on the rear side thereof is a planar guide member for insertion behind the latch handle and pivot pin locking hook. The shield is secured in position over the latch mechanism by means of the guide member in combination with a shield locking bracket having an opening for accepting the padlock bight during the locking procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Jim Chudzicki
  • Patent number: 7870766
    Abstract: A security storage container has a primary security feature that is adapted to be locked and unlocked with an appropriate key. A secondary security feature is activated when the security storage container is opened without first unlocking the lock with the key. In one embodiment, the secondary security feature includes prongs that are moved to an extended position when the primary security feature of the container is defeated. In the extended position, the prongs will at least damage the item of merchandise protected by the security storage container. The extended position of the prongs may also further lock the item of merchandise within the security storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas M Sedon, Dennis D. Belden, Jr., William Shepler
  • Patent number: 7870769
    Abstract: A lock device comprises a housing (2) which includes an opening (4) and a core (10) which is rotatably disposed in the opening and which includes a key way (12) for reception of a key. A latching element (20) co-acts between the housing (2) and the core (10) and is movable between a release position in which the core is rotatable relative to the housing, and a latching position in which rotation of the core relative to the housing is blocked. An electronically controllable actuator (30) is disposed in the core and is rotatable between an opening-registering-position in which the latching element is movable to the release position, and a latching position in which movement of the latching element to said release position is blocked. A spring (46) abuts an abutment portion (30c) of the actuator. Since the spring is provided with two mutually parallel leg portions (46d, 46e), which abut radially opposite surfaces of the abutment portion of the actuator, several advantages are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: ASSA AB
    Inventor: Daniel Andersson
  • Patent number: 7866192
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for use in drawers of cabinet structures including a pair of bolts secured for lateral displacement along the interior face of the drawer front. A latch having a flange is rotationally secured to the drawer to permit the flange of the latch to be positioned between the opposing ends of the bolts and thereby preclude their further displacement. A lever, rotationally mounted out of the path of travel of the bolts is associated with an externally mounted lock that permits the user to rotate the lever and lift the latch flange out of engagement with the bolts, thereby permitting the bolts to be displaced out of a locking engagement with the cabinet structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Angelo Gianelo
  • Patent number: 7861562
    Abstract: A vehicle mountable personal property securement device includes a plurality of walls that device a housing with an aperture. A real is operably disposed in the housing for spring-biased rotation. A cable is threaded through the aperture of the housing and includes a first end that is secured to the reel. The second end of the cable is disposed external the housing and is terminated by a head of dimension greater than a diameter of the aperture. A ratchet is disposed in operable configuration in cooperation with the reel to enable ratcheted rotation of the reel in a first direction during cable extraction and further operable at periodic intervals of rotation to enable reversal of wheel rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Peak Recreational Products, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Anton Tollefson
  • Patent number: 7856859
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a concealable key ring, including: a carrying plate with two side walls, at least one key ring axle mounted transversely between the two side walls, where the key ring axle has at least one slot made axially on the surface of the axle, a positioning pin having a body and two ends, the body of the positioning pin is partially mounted in the slot with the body partially extruding beyond the slot and the two ends of the positioning pin are fixed on the two side walls, and multiple keys each having a head with a transverse hole in the head where the perimeter of the hole has at least one groove made transversely through the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Luis Maria Aizpurua Plaza
  • Patent number: 7849721
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for tracking, counting and inventorying keys throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing through retailing to the end user. In addition, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for improving the accuracy of duplicating keys. The apparatus and methods generally rely on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, where information is stored to and collected from RFID tags that are located proximate to keys. The apparatus and methods provided for in this invention improve efficiency and accuracy in the key supply chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hy-Ko Products Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Bass, Sandra Dively, Robert Steinberg, Richard W. Ryai, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7849718
    Abstract: A deadbolt device for a door is disclosed that has a linkage assembly enclosed within a handle. The linkage assembly extends from a first end to a second end and is moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position. A lock housing extends through the door and includes a guide channel that extends from an interior side of the lock housing to an exterior side of the lock housing. A locking member, at least a portion of which is in the guide channel, is operatively connected to the linkage assembly and is moveable from a locked position to an unlocked position, which correspond to those of the linkage assembly. A biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the locking member and biases the locking member to its locked position. A dogging member is moveably connected to the lock housing such that the dogging member can move from an undogged to a dogged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: C.R. Laurence Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Ambrass
  • Patent number: 7845201
    Abstract: An electronic access control device with an actuator that requires little energy to change between the coupled and decoupled states. The actuator can have levers that interact to bias the control actuator in the decoupled state. The actuator can be changed between coupled and decoupled states by magnetizing and demagnetizing an armature that interacts with the levers. The electronic lock can include a security apparatus that prohibits the electronic lock from changing between the coupled and decoupled states when an external magnetic field is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: SimonsVoss Technologies AG
    Inventors: Herbert Meyerle, Norbert Voss, Ludger Voss, James S. Marschalek, Warren A. Simonsen, Stefan Parhofer
  • Patent number: 7836737
    Abstract: A lock includes a case, a key cylinder mounted to an outer side of the case, and a thumb turn mounted to an inner side of the case. A deadbolt is mounted in the case and coupled with a shank of the thumb turn and operably connected to a lock core of the key cylinder. The head is movable along a deadbolt axis between a retracted position in the case and an extended position outside the case when the lock core or the thumb turn is turned. Two hooks are mounted to the deadbolt and each pivotable between a retracted, unlocking position in the case and an extended, locking position outside the case about a pivot axis perpendicular to the deadbolt axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 7836736
    Abstract: A lock mechanism to lock two parts relative to each other. The lock mechanism comprises a base plate (30) attachable to one said parts with a pivot pin (26) connected thereto, a keep (38) being defined in the pivot pin. A lock body (24) is also provided and this defines a channel (33) within which the pivot pin locates for rotation of the lock body relative to the pivot pin. A locking arrangement (36) is located within the lock body, and includes a movable bolt (37), which in extended and retracted positions engages with or disengages from the keep (38) to prevent or allow rotation of the lock body relative to the pivot pin. A latch plate (40) may be provided on the other part to cooperate with the lock body. This allows a wide variety of different parts to be secured relative to each other in such a way that they are securely held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sure Locking Systems Limited
    Inventor: Keith Humphris
  • Patent number: 7832238
    Abstract: Locks for luggage, travelcases, briefcases and the like that can be operated by setting a combination or by using a key include an indicator to provide a signal in response to use of the key. The locks retain relatively movable components in latched engagement when locked, and permit relative movement of the components when unlocked. In some embodiments, the indicator provides a visual signal if an associated travelcase has been opened for inspection by unlocking the associated lock using a key; and, in some embodiments, the indicator can be reset upon entry of a proper combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Michael O. Misner, Jian-Bing Lu
  • Patent number: 7827837
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical lock assembly comprises a casing, an electric control mechanism and a manual control member. The casing has a base and an axial bore formed at the base. The manual control member is installed penetrating the axial bore of the casing and has a knob and a spindle coupled to the knob. The electric control mechanism is disposed within the casing and comprises a control switch, a rotatable member capable of actuating the control switch, a clutch gear capable of driving the rotatable member, a position member capable of controlling movement of the clutch gear and a motor capable of driving the clutch gear. The rotatable member is coupled to the spindle of the manual control member and has at least one first coupling portion. The clutch gear has at least one second coupling portion corresponding to the first coupling portion. The second coupling portion is capable of being moved along the spindle to catch with the first coupling portion of the rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lien-Hsi Huang, Shin-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 7827836
    Abstract: A power-release door lock system for an automotive door having a latch, including a ratchet (18) and pawl (20), and an electro-mechanical exterior latch release mechanism (220) for actuating the pawl to release the ratchet. The system includes a controller (210) and a pressure sensitive switch (216) mounted to an outside door handle (214) of the automotive door and electrically connected to the controller. The controller is programmed to disable the pressure sensitive switch in response to a predetermined “lock” signal and enable the pressure sensitive switch in response to a pre-determined “unlock” signal, in which case the controller energizes the exterior latch release mechanism to release the ratchet in the event the pressure sensitive switch is actuated. The system eliminates the need for an exterior lock assembly and its attendant inside lock button or rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Roman Cetnar
  • Patent number: 7823427
    Abstract: A cylinder lock device is provided with a rotor 30 arranged to be rotatable inside a body A20, a sleeve A40 arranged to be rotatable between the body A20 and the rotor 30, a sleeve B45, a tumbler 50 disengaged with the sleeve A40 or B45 when a regular key is inserted into a key insert hole 31, a lever member 60, a slide bar A70 which moves in an axial direction each time the sleeve A40 rotates relatively at a predetermined angle to the body A20, a body A25 in cylindrical shape arranged between the body A20 and the rotor 30, a solenoid 200 which makes a body B25 rotatably movable or unrotatable to the body A20, a slide bar B75 which moves in the axial direction each time the sleeve B45 rotates relatively to the body B25 at a predetermined angle, and a clutch member 80 to engage or disengage with the rotor 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 7810363
    Abstract: An electric steering locking apparatus includes a cam plate (5) that rotates in an unlocking direction (R1) and a locking direction (R2) by driving operation of a motor unit, and a locking shaft (8) that follows a sliding surface (6) of the cam plate (5) and that moves between a locking position where the rotation of a steering shaft is prevented and an unlocking position where the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted. The cam plate (5) is set such that a rotation center (O) coincides with a center of gravity (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Okada, Tetsuyuki Tsukano
  • Patent number: 7805969
    Abstract: A multiple dial lock includes reset dials rotatable around a lock shaft. Each reset dial must be at a specific angular position for a user to unlock the lock or reset the combination. Each reset dial has a magnet. A master key includes sensors, each in communication with one signal. Each of the signals indicates to a user that a respective magnet is adjacent a respective sensor, thus assisting a user in recovering a lost combination. A rotary lock includes a dial which rotates a drive cam, which in turn rotates several wheels to their unlocking positions. One magnet for each wheel is provided on the drive cam. Each magnet communicates with one sensor provided on a master key, which also includes signals, indicating that a respective magnet is adjacent a respective sensor, thus assisting a user in recovering a lost combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ACCO Brands USA LLC
    Inventors: Carl H. Poppe, George T. Yu