Patents Examined by Thomas J. Dubnicka
  • Patent number: 4489965
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for a pair of relatively slidable overlapping window panels includes a pair of opposed fixed support blocks with bearing surfaces engageable with the outside surfaces of the window panels. A first wedging block is floatingly mounted between the window panels and has a bearing surface engageable with the inside surface of one window panel and a slanted wedging surface spaced from the inside surface of the other window panel. A latching lever, movable between operative and inoperative positions, is secured to a second wedging block which has a wedging surface engageable with the wedging surface of the first wedging block and a bearing surface engageable with the inside surface of the other window panel. In the operative position of the lever, the engagement of the wedging surfaces of the wedging blocks engages the bearing surfaces of the wedging blocks with the inside surfaces of respective window panels to wedge the panels against the bearing surfaces of the support blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Philip E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4489576
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a novel retaining strap for securing a lock cylinder within the assembly. The lock assembly is designed so that one of two different degrees of bolt extension can be chosen during assembly of the device. In addition the assembly incorporates a dowel pin to increase the strength of the joint between the lock bolt and a lock bolt extension connected to the lockbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: TRE Corporation
    Inventors: Richard O. Mullich, Ray Dushane
  • Patent number: 4487441
    Abstract: A child proof door locking device for use with an automotive door is disclosed, which comprises a base plate securely attached to the door, an inside lever pivotally connected to the base plate and pivotally movable in response to handling of the inside handle, an outside lever pivotally connected to the base plate and pivotally movable in response to handling of the outside handle, a first device for causing the latching device to assume its inoperative condition when the outside lever is pivoted in a given direction, a second device for linking the outside lever with the inside lever so that pivoting of the inside lever in a given direction induces the pivoting of the outside lever in the given direction, and a child proof lever pivotally connected to the base plate and disengaging the second device from the inside lever when assuming its child proof position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Company, Limited, Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Issei Miyamoto, Shunji Utsumi, Takayo Chikaraishi
  • Patent number: 4484773
    Abstract: A removable latch assembly to be used in conjunction with releasably hinged closure panels, and more particularly for use in combination with a removable glass panel and an associated fixed frame structure such as employed with sunroofs for vehicles, wherein the assembly includes a toggle-jointed latch defined by a latch handle and a demountable anchor bracket interconnected by toggle-arm members. The opposite end of the latch handle is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the panel; and the toggle-arm members are pivotally connected to a demountable anchor bracket that is removably secured to the fixed frame structure by means of a keeper linked to the anchor bracket. The latch assembly is so arranged as to establish a low-profile position with in the opening of the frame structure when in both a closed and an open mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: LeVan Specialty Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John Lehne
  • Patent number: 4483163
    Abstract: Two caps are axially nested so that a smaller inner threaded cap is free to rotate within the outer larger protective cap and retained therein to form a security lock cap unit for gas supply tanks. It includes a locking means associated with the outer cap whereby the inner cap can be selectively engaged by the locking means to prevent its relative rotation, allowing the inner cap to be screwed on to a gas supply tank by rotating the outer protective cap and thereafter the inner cap is released by the locking means and retained in a disengaged position to prevent removal of the locking cap unit without a key to the locking means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: John L. Carlyle
  • Patent number: 4481798
    Abstract: A door lock comprises, a casing; means rotatably mounted in the casing for actuating a lock bolt between the locking position and release position of the lock; means for locking said rotatable means against rotation when the lock is in its locking position, the locking means capable of relieving the rotatable means from locking when the key is inserted and the rotatable means is turned by an external action that does not route through the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: Takhi Inada
  • Patent number: 4480863
    Abstract: A latch assembly for use in combination with slidable doors is disclosed. A rotatable disk is connected to the door so that the plane of the disk is perpendicular to the door and parallel to the direction of door movement. A lock bolt which projects from the door jam is adapted to engage a slot in the disk as the door closes, causing the disk to rotate. As the disk rotates, it slides with respect to a spring loaded latch bolt until the bolt slides through a second slot in the disk, when the door is fully closed. Efforts to effectuate a forced entry of the door cause the resulting forces to be passed primarily between the disk and the lock bolt, while the latch bolt's primary function is to prevent rotation of the disk. Thus, an attempted forced entry will not cause excessive forces to be placed on the latch bolt. The latch bolt is slidably connected to a conventional manually operated garage door handle assembly including a lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Hofmann KG Brockhagen
    Inventor: Michael Hormann
  • Patent number: 4476699
    Abstract: A locking device intended to be mounted on a fuel pipe nipple (15), which is provided with bayonet locking pins, so as to make it impossible to connect a fuel hose coupling to an outboard motor on a boat. The locking device comprises an elongated external sleeve (1), which at one end is provided with an internally situated lock (6) and at the other end with bayonet locking grooves (20,21,22,23) corresponding to the bayonet locking pins (16). The lock (6) has an axially movable locking piston (9) cooperating with an internal sleeve (14) which is axially displaceable inside the external sleeve (1) between a retracted first position, which permits relative interconnection and release, respectively, of the pipe nipple (15) and the locking device, and an advanced, second position in which the bayonet locking pins (16) are kept securely fixed in the bayonet locking grooves (22,23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: Cowab AB
    Inventor: Christer Dahlborg
  • Patent number: 4471984
    Abstract: Lever handle assembly for a door lock which includes an adapter plate mounted on the door, a spindle extending through said adapter plate from said door, a spindle having an axial bore therein, an adjusting screw, and a lever. The adjusting screw extends through the spindle and is threaded into a bore in a member that is fixed, with respect to the door, in an axial direction toward the adapter plate. The lever is mounted on the spindle and is connected to a connecting portion on the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Morris P. Bellantuono
  • Patent number: 4470277
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for security doors such as safes. A mounting plate is provided for attachment to the inner surface of the door. A cylindrical activating member is mounted on a pin for rotation about an axis normal to the inner surface of the door. The activating member contains a plurality of activating fingers and mounting posts for connecting to locking pin actuating mechanisms directly or through linkages. A groove is provided in the periphery of the activating member. A pair of sliding members are mounted to the plate. One sliding member is positioned to slide into the groove to prevent rotation of the activating member. The second sliding member is adapted to slide into abutment with the first member to prevent sliding thereof. Standard lock mechanisms of the combination or pin tumbler type for use with a key are mounted to the plate and connected to the two sliding members to control their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: La Gard, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim M. Uyeda
  • Patent number: 4468939
    Abstract: An accessory lock and article storage device is set forth adapted to be attached to the frame of a bicycle or the like. The device has a pair of complementary members which both enclose a portion of the accessory and the frame when the members are brought into engagement with each other as well as form an enclosed space for storing small articles. A lock is also provided for locking the members together and to effect frictional securement of the accessory and the frame relative to the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Inventor: Michael C. Olshausen
  • Patent number: 4467628
    Abstract: A permutation lock is mounted on one of a pair of hinged sections and is adapted to receive and lock to a hasp of the other section. The lock includes a plurality of rotatable dials which act against a movable bolt to move a latching end of the latter toward and away from a locking position. Even with the dials in a locked mode, the bolt can be moved to an unlocking position in response to introduction of the hasp into the lock. The hasp includes a completely closed aperture which is adapted to receive a pair of hooks at the latching end of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Zampini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4466263
    Abstract: A device for the unlocking and locking of doors having pneumatic setting members in the individual door-locking mechanisms is provided centrally with a pneumatic pump (19) having a motor (18) of controlled direction of rotation. This motor can be controlled by means of a DC door switch (2). Immediately after a pressure build-up or vacuum build-up a holding-circuit switch (23) closes a holding circuit so that the DC motor (18) which drives the pneumatic pump (19) continues to operate even if it is immediately switched back directly after the making of contact by the door switch (2).Upon an increase in vacuum or pressure, a contact finger (26) of the holding-circuit switch (23) displaces a contact bridge in such a way that it actuates a bistable change-over switch (10) via mechanical transmission members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Klaus Rathmann
  • Patent number: 4466262
    Abstract: An improved steering lock is disclosed. It is of the type comprising a rotatable lock cylinder, a latch operable in a first position and inoperable in a second position to engage a recess in a steering shaft of an associated motor vehicle, and a rocking lever operable in a first position and inoperable in a second position to maintain the latch in its second position. During rotation of the lock cylinder in one direction, the latch is caused to move from its first position towards its second position. When the latch reaches its second position, a projection on the rocking lever engages a recess in the latch whereby it is maintained in its second position and the steering shaft is maintained in an unlocked condition. The steering lock includes means mounting the rocking lever for rotation in two different planes. The rocking lever is mounted for rotation in a first plane about an axle and, in a second plane, about one of its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Champion Spark Plug Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe A. Maiocco, Pietro Frascarolo
  • Patent number: 4462625
    Abstract: A safety entry latching arrangement characterized as a pivotal and extendible securing member attached to an existing door hinge assembly secured onto one side of the framework of an entry and selectively connecting to a latch member disposed on the framework at the opposite side of the entry. The securing member is preferably defined by two parts arranged in a slidable telescopic relationship, where spring urged structure serves to maintain the securing member in an outwardly or upwardly extending latching or storage position, respectively. In a typical arrangement, an audible signaling system can be combined with the handle for the securing member to afford additional protection for the user, i.e. to forewarn unwanted entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: Alton L. Barnhill
  • Patent number: 4462231
    Abstract: A padlock having a permutation mechanism and a key mechanism, either of which can be operated to actuate a locking mechanism to lock and unlock the padlock, wherein the key mechanism is an integral part of the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: American Home Products Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert E. Zabel
  • Patent number: 4462232
    Abstract: A combination lock for luggage cases, comprising a frame, to be mounted on one part of the luggage case, a lock plate provided with a plurality of lock lugs, a plurality of lock wheels each having a slot to be selectively engaged with a corresponding one of the lock lugs, the lock wheels each being provided with a dial wheel, the dial wheels being laid flat side by side on the frame and having an upper surface carrying a group of code figures arranged in a circle. The lock plate is further provided with a hook means for engaging and disengaging a hasp member provided on another part of the luggage case. When the lock wheels are rotated to align the slots with the lock lugs, the lock plate is free to move so that the hook means can be moved toward and away from the hasp member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: Gwo T. Yang
  • Patent number: 4462233
    Abstract: A detachable guard or cover for preventing access to the keyhole of cylinder type locks in the face of a wall or locked door of a tool cabinet is combined with openings in the wall on each side of said keyhole. The guard comprises a generally U-shaped body having a pair of anchor legs joined at one end by a shouldered rivet. The free terminal end of each leg has a right angular tongue which fits into one of the openings in the wall when the guard straddles the keyhole to anchor the guard against the rear face of the wall. A locking leg journalled on the rivet fixes the guard when in closed position. The anchor legs and the locking leg have holes, which register when in closed position, to receive the shackle of a padlock. Alternatively, a lock set or cylinder lock may be built in to the anchor legs, with its pawl positioned to immobilize the locking leg until turned by a key to unlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: John R. Horetzke
  • Patent number: 4459074
    Abstract: A drive cavity for a threaded fastener which is compatible with a variety of wrench drivers having hexagon-based profiles. The drive cavity is a prismatic projection of a multi-, primarily flat-sided, profile having its radially inner margins defined by the mid-sides of a common base hexagon and its radially outer margins defined by six trapezoid sectors each centered on and outlying the corners of the base hexagon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Russell, Burdsall & Ward Corporation
    Inventor: Terry D. Capuano
  • Patent number: 4458931
    Abstract: A security plate for entrance doors adapted to be secured by tamper resistant fasteners to the stop member of a door frame. The plate is elongated to extend above and below the lock area of the door. The plate has a relatively thick flat edge that abuts a closed door and the plate is formed with a concave portion adajcent the thick edge and connected thereto by a smooth tool-deflecting ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Inventor: Walt McBurnie