Patents Examined by Suzanne L. Dino
  • Patent number: 5343724
    Abstract: In a locking apparatus that utilizes bores and blocking pins along with key cards and code cards to unlock the lock, a master card key is employed with holes in all of the master card bores and balls are used instead of blocking pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Trioving a.s.
    Inventor: Tor Sornes
  • Patent number: 5343721
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for locking the key ignition of a vehicle. The device includes braided cables encased in neoprene rubber, and a recess is provided at the midpoint of the length of these cables. A locking housing is basically cylindrical in shape and includes a combination lock in its center section while the ends of the housing are flared angularly outward and have two through holes which serve as receptacles for the cables. Finally, ratchet-like teeth are arranged along the length of the cable, and two spring loaded engagement levers are located in the cable receptacles within the housing. The cables fit around the steering column of a vehicle with the recess placed over the key ignition. The locking housing receives the cables in the through holes and is locked in place by the combination lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Inventor: Charles R. Calnen
  • Patent number: 5339587
    Abstract: Invisible junction device, particularly for stretched cloths, includes a support (1, 1') for securement to a ceiling or a wall, profiles (2) for the reception of securement pads, disposed in the support (1), and an element (3) for partial or complete closure of the support (1) by pinching. The support (1) is preferably in the form of a profile provided with a surface bearing against the existing ceiling or wall or for securement on an intermediate support, and two longitudinal profiles (2) adapted to coact with securement pads of the corresponding edges of the sheet or sheets to be stretched, at the joint to be provided, the profiles (2) extending parallel and symmetrically with a slight inclination relative to the vertical, their external edge being aligned with the edge (4) of one of the sides of the support (1), while the other edge extends beyond the first in a ridge (5) in prolongation of the external edge of the corresponding profile (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: M P H I S.A.
    Inventor: Rene P. Ruhlmann
  • Patent number: 5339662
    Abstract: A locking system is provided for doors with a bolt unit installed on the inside and a control unit installed on the outside of the door. The bolt unit has a casing enclosing a bolt displaceable between a projected, locking position and a withdrawn, unlocking position. A solenoid device has an armature being displaceable between electromagnetically induced attracted and repelled positions. Linkage means are coupled between the armature and the bolt to drive the bolt between the unlocking and locking positions, respectively. A pass code may be entered into the control unit, and in response, a solenoid may be actuated by a current pulse into the unlocked position of the bolt. In addition, a reverse current pulse actuates the solenoid into a locked position of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Ilco Unican, Inc.
    Inventor: Ilan Goldman
  • Patent number: 5337587
    Abstract: Preferred and alternative embodiments of a locking apparatus are described for use on bicycles with quick release mechanisms on the wheels or seat. The lock consists of three attachable components, a locking platform, lock housing and bridge, and lock. When fitted together and onto the bicycle, the locking apparatus components secure the lever arm of a quick release mechanism, preventing any rotation thereof and blocking access thereto with cutting devices. A gripless nut is also provided for use on a bicycle wheel axle opposite the quick release mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: James Davidson
  • Patent number: 5333478
    Abstract: A vehicle security device (20) is disclosed to inhibit movement of a steering wheel (30) by abutment with the vehicle interior. The device includes angular, radial and axial adjustments between a pair of members (22, 24) to optimize interference with the vehicle interior and to facilitate installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Keh-Shih K. Chuang
  • Patent number: 5333435
    Abstract: A post to foundation connection for joining a wood post to an anchor bolt embedded in a concrete foundation after the concrete has hardened. The post to foundation connection includes a foundation connector which is formed from a single sheet metal blank which provides post support on a pair of post support seat members raised above the top surface of the foundation and supported by at least four leg members. Uplift resistance is provided by attaching the foundation connector to the embedded anchor bolt by a nut and washer which bears against a base member formed in the foundation connector. Attachment to the post is provided by four post connection members integrally attached to the ends of the post support seat members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Leek
  • Patent number: 5333477
    Abstract: A lightweight vehicle immobilization device useful to prevent theft of a vehicle or to prevent driving of said vehicle by its owner having a hub shield, an adjustable arm, a upper arm and a lower arm, each of said arms having ends which are adapted to traverse the tread of a tire of said vehicle and engage the inside of said tire so as to prevent removal of said device when said device is adjusted to the circumference of said tire; the improvement comprising means on said hub shield to limit the degree of outward rotation of said upper and lower arm to about 120 degrees when engaged on said tire, and a wedge shaped member having two surfaces which are about 120 degrees from each other, said wedge shaped member adapted to slide on said adjustable arm and, when locked in position, functioning to prevent inward rotation of said upper arm and said lower arm and to prevent movement of said adjustable arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Phillip Davis
  • Patent number: 5329864
    Abstract: A break-in obstructing, or burglarproof door or wall, for which old motor vehicle tires are used as filling units instead of steel structures and sheeting. The treads or strips separated from the tires form mat-like, layered, and/or stacked filling units for burglarproof doors or walls and are connected with each other and to the frame by special fastening devices. This application considerably reduces the weight of such a door, and allows for burglarproof and break-in obstructing doors and walls at a much lower production cost, due to using recycling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Erich Doring
  • Patent number: 5328246
    Abstract: A dimensionally adjustable chair (10) which includes a seat section (14), a back section (16) and front and rear legs (18 and 20) is provided. Arm rest members (22 and 24) may be vertically adjusted above the seat portion (14) through use of a plurality of matingly engaging and interfacing intermediate chair arm members (40) which may be added to or removed at the discretion of the user dependent upon the optimum comfort positioning of the user. Additionally, dimensionally adjustable chair (10) includes back posts (30 and 70) which are aligned with and matingly engaged with a plurality of intermediate back post members (68) to allow vertical adjustment of the back portion (16) of the chair (10). In this manner, the user has at his or her option the ability to provide a comfortable position while sitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Joel L. Sereboff
  • Patent number: 5325690
    Abstract: A lock which is rekeyable or programmable to operate with a different key from the exterior thereof without disassembling it or removing it from a lock assembly in which it is assembled is disclosed. The lock may be rekeyed through the keyway so that the lock appears from the exterior thereof to be a conventional lock, or from the end opposite the keyway from the interior of a door, or from a side of the lock which requires disassembly of the lock from its lock assembly. The lock includes structure defining a movable shear line that can be adjusted from the exterior of the lock without disassembling the lock itself. Such structure may comprise a rotatable cam and a pin tumbler and an axially adjustable set screw. Security of the lock is improved by selectively restricting or blocking access to the rekeying of the lock in the interior thereof with a gate or shutter, or various combinations of gates or shutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Richard S. Adler
    Inventors: Richard S. Adler, Paul F. Morris, Karl D. Kirk, John Milich, Gerard M. Perichon
  • Patent number: 5325686
    Abstract: A wall mount gun lock assembly having an open loop ring housing and an open loop ring. The open loop ring housing is secured to the wall of a room by lag bolts passing through the rear wall of the open loop ring housing. The front wall of the open loop ring housing has a key lock housing that is removably mounted in an aperture therein and it can be locked in place. An arcuate shaped open loop ring has its opposite end tips passing through left and right side apertures of the front wall of the open loop ring housing. The end tips of the open loop ring have annular grooves formed adjacent their ends. The key lock housing has side walls having horizontal slots that engage the annular grooves of the open loop ring when the key lock housing is pushed in to its locking position. It is impossible to rotate the open loop ring once the key lock housing has been locked in position and it is also impossible to gain access to the lag bolts that are mounting the open loop ring housing to the wall of a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: James K. Bentley
  • Patent number: 5316368
    Abstract: A vehicle accessory such as an armrest includes a base having an open compartment, a cover pivotally mounted to the base for covering the compartment, and a transferably mounted drawer movable between a retracted storage position so that the drawer is retained on the cover, and an extended use position so that the drawer is retained on the base. The base and cover include a latching system that releases the drawer permitting movement of the drawer when the cover is closed, but preventing removal of the drawer from the cover when the drawer is in the stored position and the cover is open. In a preferred embodiment, the drawer includes a container holder therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Arbisi
  • Patent number: 5315849
    Abstract: A utility meter box lock construction includes a male assembly having a male body which is bolted to the front wall of the utility meter box with a threaded bolt having an annular groove which is locked to the male body by a set screw. The lid is secured in place in a closed condition by a conventional utility plunger lock which is assembled to a female assembly having a bore which aligns with a bore in the male body. A threaded insert is threaded to the male body in the bore which is aligned with a second bore in the female assembly for receiving the plunger lock. The balls of the plunger lock are expandable to an extension locking state for mating with a groove in the insert threaded to the male body. The position of the plunger balls is set along the plunger bore by rotation of the threaded insert for ensuring that the female member with a lid-locking flange closely closes the lid of the box to the box sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: E. J. Brooks
    Inventor: George Georgopoulos
  • Patent number: 5315851
    Abstract: In a steering lock device used for a vehicle in which the locking member allows a steering shaft to rotate when an inner cylinder of a cylinder lock moves to ON position by the operation of a key, while the locking member locks the steering shaft when the key is withdrawn at a LOCK position, the steering lock device comprises a key lever disposed in the inner cylinder such that it can swing depending on the insertion and withdrawal of the key, an engaging portion disposed on the outer cylinder that engages the key lever when the inner cylinder is rotated from the ON position to the LOCK position by the key operation and a locking member disposed on the outer cylinder which retracts when the inner cylinder is positioned at the key withdrawal position, thereby unlocking the steering lock shaft, while protrudes when the key is withdrawn, thereby locking the steering shaft non rotatably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventor: Shigenori Kuroki
  • Patent number: 5309744
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shift locking apparatus for blocking a shifting movement unless a special operation is conducted such as the depression of a foot brake by an operator, when a shift lever of an automatic transmission is moved from a specified shift position of a parking "P" and the like to another shift position, wherein when releasing of the shift lock is conducted by an electrically operated actuator such as a solenoid, the shift lock can be released by use of a key for a vehicle even in a condition where the electrically operated actuator is not used. The operation of a key cylinder by use of the key of the vehicle by the operator causes the shift lock to be released, ensuring that the operator can move the shift lever to any other shift position, thereby permitting the vehicle to be moved even if there is some trouble such as electrical trouble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shozo Kito, Shoichi Harada, Minoru Morikawa
  • Patent number: 5309745
    Abstract: A central interlocking system for a motor vehicle performs in a normal operation all opening and closing functions. A vehicle provided with the system can be opened and locked without the operation of door closing motors. The outer and inner handles can be selectively blocked individually and jointly by a motor operated control member having two parallel control discs which cooperate with two locking levers. The control member can be released for opening of the door also in a purely mechanical way by turning a door lock keybolt with a key. The locking system has a simple construction and locking motors operating without loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhard Ursel, Uwe Schaper
  • Patent number: 5309741
    Abstract: A padlock having a body, a U-shaped keeper at one end of the body, and a key receptor at the opposite end of the body, the body containing a row of pieces to be engaged by key teeth comprising an indicator device on the body; the device having a location on the body relative to the pieces to indicate the left or right directional orientation of key teeth insertion into the receptor, to effect opening of the padlock keeper; and the indicator device extending in the direction of key insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Henry P. Nava
  • Patent number: 5309742
    Abstract: A locking device for locking an outboard motor onto a boat. The locking device includes a housing of greater length than a line formed between the clamping screws holding the motor onto the transom of the boat. A slot is formed in one side of the housing, and is closed on both ends, permitting only transverse sliding application of the housing onto the clamping screws, with the screw handles being received by and confined within the slot. The locking device also includes a padlock, at least one leg of the shackle of that padlock being insertable through a corresponding leg opening formed for that purpose in the housing. The leg opening is positioned so that the handles are thereby trapped in the slot. The padlock thereby locks the shackle into the body so as to impede unauthorized removal of the housing from the clamping screws, thus forming a stop to prevent sliding removal of the housing from the screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Stephen B. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5307603
    Abstract: An anchoring apparatus is provided for securing a first beam to a structural member, including a first plate having a middle section, two end sections, and two ends, each end section being divided into adjacent strip portions by at least one cut extending to one end, a first strip portion at each end section being bent essentially perpendicular to the middle section, for receiving between the first strip portions the first beam, a second strip portion, and a structural member engaging portion extending essentially perpendicular to the middle section oppositely from the first strip portion, for engaging the structural member; a second plate having openings for receiving the second strip portions, and extending adjacent to the first beam, and a mechanism for fastening the second plate to the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventor: Daniel J. Chiodo