Patents Examined by Tuyet-Phuong Pham
  • Patent number: 6007285
    Abstract: A fastener assembly which allows relatively heavy objects to be attached to either a hollow or a solid core wall by distributing the weight of such objects along a relatively long axial plane of support defined by an elongated cantilever structure. The apparatus includes an elongated tubular body having a flange or face plate at its proximal end. The tubular body defines an axial cavity dimensioned to receive a correspondingly dimensioned support member. When inserted into a properly dimensioned hole formed in a suitable support structure such, for example as a wall, ceiling, or floor, the rear face of the face plate contacts the portion of the support structure surface which surrounds the hole. The elongated tubular body, as well as the support member received therein, is maintained in position by an anchoring member which is disposed proximate the distal end of the tubular body. The anchor member comprises a base portion defining a central, threaded aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Pinnacle Innovations
    Inventors: Salvatore J. Sisto, Edward S. Rudnicki
  • Patent number: 5966970
    Abstract: A lockable valve (7) for a fuel line contains a fuel inlet (2) and fuel outlet (3) which communicates with one another via a passage (6) in which is located a spring-biased piston (15) which is responsive to a pressure change in the fuel line. Associated with the piston (15) is a spring biased plunger (11) which controls a valve (8) to close or restrict the flow of fuel through passage (6). At the other end of the piston (15) is a resetting device (23, 24) which requires an unlocking action before the piston can be extended to withdraw the plunger 11 so as to open the valve. When a fall in pressure is detected by the piston (15), it causes operation of the valve (8) to stop or restrict fuel flow but this operation may only be reversed by the unlocking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: John O'Keeffe
    Inventor: Brian Francis Mooney
  • Patent number: 5918491
    Abstract: This invention is a tamper-resistant enclosure for a coin-operated vending apparatus and the like wherein the locking device is fixedly attached to and mounted internally of the enclosure making it less vulnerable to theft and vandalism. The locking mechanism includes a ring-shaped hanging lock that is attached by weldment to an interior end wall of the enclosure. The lock is positioned in substantial alignment with an aperture in the front end wall to permit operation of the lock from the exterior of the enclosure by a key. The top cover includes an integrally formed locking flange which passes through a slotted opening in the end wall adjacent the lock such that the lock is positioned in an operative relationship with an aperture in the locking flange when the slideable top is in a closed position enabling the enclosure to be secured. The enclosure is adaptable to use for vending any suitable consumer product or to any application where a secure, corrosion-resistant enclosure is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventors: Daniel H. Maxwell, Henley S. Hales
  • Patent number: 5916086
    Abstract: The bed system has a rectangular frame, with a mattress assembly mounted on the frame. The mattress assembly has upper and lower wooden strip layers and intervening foam blocks. Each wooden strip layer has a plurality of relatively thin, somewhat flexible laterally-oriented wooden strips arranged in proximity to each other from top to bottom of the frame, with each strip extending from one side panel to the other side panel. There are three foam blocks, namely two outer foam blocks and one central foam block, running from head to foot of the bed between the wooden strip layers. A padded layer, preferably of foam approximately 5 cm thick, is positioned on top of the mattress assembly, extending substantially across the full width and length of the mattress assembly. Preferably positioned on top of the padded layer is a sheep's wool mattress pad, also with a cotton cover. Conventional sheets can be used to cover the mattress assembly, padded layer, and mattress pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Ralph H. Rossdeutscher
  • Patent number: 5913908
    Abstract: A waterproof hatch latch with a lifting ring for mounting in a hatch cover with the lift ring connected to a cam member disposed in the latch housing. The cam member carries a locking bar on its inner end which is engagable with the adjourning deck to lock the hatch. A waterproof lock tumbler is mounted in the latch housing and a slide plate connects the tumbler to the cam member to lock the lock bar in its position engaging the deck and to lock it in position one hundred eighty degrees removed from engagement. A spring is disposed in the mounting between the cam member and the housing to prevent damage to the lift ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Accon Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: John Czipri
  • 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: 5899101
    Abstract: A security device (10) for security a frame or chassis of a caravan or other wheeled vehicle to the ground comprises an elongate securing arm (12) extending substantially transversely of the chassis between two frame members (4) thereof, and an elongate support member (14) extending downwardly into the ground. The support member (14) and the securing arm (12) are made in one piece and the free end of the support member (14) is engaged in the ground. The engagement of the support member (14) is such that withdrawal thereof from the ground requires rotation of the support member (14). At each of its ends, the securing arm (12) carries engagement members (32,34) to engage with, and be locked to, the frame members (4). Although the security device is simple to manufacture and install, it provides a high degree of security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: John T. West
  • Patent number: 5873137
    Abstract: A pneumatic mattress system includes a plurality of rigid ribs position side-by-side and hingedly interconnected so as to form a continuous overlay basis which is flexible in one direction. A plurality of pneumatic cushions is attached to each rib so as to provide a cushioned surface. The pressure of the pneumatic cushions is controlled by a main pressure control system which includes a main supply conduit with a pressurized inlet and an exhaust, both controlled by a control unit, and a pressure sensor. The pneumatic cushions are connected through a number of tubes located within the ribs to a rib control system which selectively connects them to the main supply conduit. By synchronized control of the pressure of the main supply conduit and the rib control system, the pressure within each cushion can be measured and controlled independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Medogar Technologies
    Inventor: Yehuda Yavets-Chen
  • Patent number: 5870915
    Abstract: A lock (10) having inductive key detection includes a lock mechanism (14). A detector member (20) is movably disposed proximate the lock mechanism (14) such that the detector member (20) moves when a key engages the lock mechanism (14). The detector member (20) has a magnetic portion (24). An antenna (30) is disposed proximate the detector member (20) such that movement of the detector member (20) induces a signal in the antenna (30). A detector (42) is coupled to the antenna (30) and is operable to detect the signal in the antenna (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Loek D'Hont
  • Patent number: 5852943
    Abstract: A rotatable cam of the present invention has an internal edge completely surrounding an elongated slot, a portion of which serves as a camming surface for interfacing with a cam follower. A further aspect of the present invention employs a door lock control member linearly slidable from a locked position to an unlocked position while also being pivotable between a nominal latching position and an unlatching position. In yet another aspect of the present invention, one end of the door lock control member is coupled to a liftgate door latch and the other end is coupled to a multi-functional electric motor by way of a drive transmission and a cable. In still a further aspect of the present invention, a window wiper assembly is drivably coupled to the drive transmission. A method of unlatching an automotive vehicle door is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry F. Dutka, Ronald L. Merckling
  • Patent number: 5850752
    Abstract: A security device includes a case with a lid to receive merchandise and a locking mechanism for latching the case closed. The locking mechanism has a housing with parallel flanges to overlie a portion of the lid and another surface of the case, preventing the lid from being opened. One end of the locking mechanism is fixed and the other is movable between open and closed positions, and a mechanism in the housing retains the movable end closed. A decoupler is provided for opening the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Lax
  • Patent number: 5839306
    Abstract: The invention provides an electronic lock, in which body (14) there is mounted a bar (1), a bar shifting mechanism including riegel (2), a control lever (3) and a blocking mechanism. The latter is made in form of an electromechanical catch which moving plate (11) is coupled to a limiter (8) blocking the bar shifting mechanism. In the present aspect of the electronic lock a power consumption is reduced significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Martyn Sergeevich Nunuparov
  • Patent number: 5839767
    Abstract: An actuator for a window lock including a housing mountable to a window frame and defining an opening between opposite sides, one of the sides having a recessed portion therein. A handle is pivotable about an axis within the housing opening and has a central opening with sloped cam surfaces therearound. A cam bushing is receivable in the handle central opening and has sloped cam surfaces engageable with the handle cam surfaces whereby pivoting of the handle relative to the cam bushing axially biases the cam bushing relative to the handle toward a locking position. The cam bushing further includes a stop tab extending from one side of the cam bushing and receivable in the housing recessed stop when the actuator is in a locking position. The cam bushing one side is axially biased toward the housing one side. A lock link is operatively connectable to a window lock for operating a lock in response to pivoting of the lock link, and is pivotally connected to the cam bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Truth Hardware Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Piltingsrud
  • Patent number: 5836731
    Abstract: A self-aligning, anti-cross threading fastener having first and/or second members with lead threads having a curved surface feature from the minor diameter to the major diameter which allows the surface of the lead threads to cam over the mating threads of the other member and thereby aligning collinearly the longitudinal axis of the two members. The initial presentation angle of the two threaded members may be restricted and therefore enhanced by providing a protruding diameter feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: MAThread, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry J. Goodwin, Michael A. Garver, Anthony L. Snoddy
  • Patent number: 5829802
    Abstract: An operator for a multi-point locking system for a casement window is provided. The operator includes a handle having two opposing legs that pass through side walls in the escutcheon thereby leaving the outer wall of the escutcheon intact. Due to a delay between movement of the handle and the first link which indirectly imparts movement of the handle to the tie bar, the handle can be rotated a full 180.degree. between the open and the closed positions while the first link is rotated through an angle of less than 180.degree.. As a result, the handle lies in a flat position with respect to the inside window frame surface in both the open and closed positions. Because of the handle design which employs two opposing legs disposed on opposite sides of the escutcheon, the operator can be used both on the right side and the left side of a window frame. The legs of the handle include inwardly extending shafts which are accommodated and supported by braces disposed on opposing sides of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Allen-Stevens Corp.
    Inventors: Todd Allan Anderson, Clifford Elliott Simon, Edward J. Subliskey, Jeffrey M. Briggs
  • Patent number: 5826924
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes an inner handle assembly having a first control plate and an inner handle, an outer handle assembly having a latching plate, and a latch assembly. The lock assembly is shifted from an unlatched status to a latched status upon operation of the first control plate, and rotation of either of the inner handle and the latching plate may unlatch the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chao-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 5827030
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a thread-forming joining element, in particular, a screw, which comprises a single or multiple thread that extends over at least part of the screw shaft (1), a screw tip (3) and a screw head (2). The thread extends to the point of the screw tip (3), with at least one friction edge region (11) extending over at least part of the length of the screw tip (3) in the longitudinal direction of the screw, namely on the circumferential surface in the region of the screw head (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: A-Z Ausrustung und Zubehor GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Robert Dicke
  • Patent number: 5826450
    Abstract: A locking device with at least one key and a locking cylinder having at least one cylinder core with a key channel. The core is mounted rotatably in a cylinder housing, mechanical tumblers for blocking and releasing the cylinder. An actuator is disposed in the cylinder housing for shifting a blocking element blocking and releasing the cylinder core. An electronic code transmitter is provided in the key and an electronic code evaluator in the cylinder housing for controlling the actuator. The electronic code transmitter is formed by a transponder (26) and the electronic code evaluator by a transponder reading device (16, 17). A power supply device (24) is disposed in the cylinder housing (1). The blocking element (23) engages in at least one recess (42, 43) disposed on the periphery of the cylinder core (4) spaced from the key channel (10, 11) in the axial area of the cylinder core (4) which is provided with the mechanical tumblers (49, 50, 51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Codatex ID-Systeme Gessellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Leonhard Lerchner, Hermann Hainzlmaier
  • Patent number: 5823028
    Abstract: A key-operated cylinder device includes a cylinder device body into which a key having a secondary coil is inserted, the cylinder device body including a coil mounting portion forming the front end portion of said cylinder device body; a primary coil mounted in said coil mounting portion, the primary coil wound on a coil bobbin; and shielding device for preventing the magnetic flux of the primary coil from flowing into the cylinder device body, the shielding device being arranged between the coil mounting portion and the primary coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takashi Mizuno, Sadao Kokubu, Hisashi Aoki, Yoshiyuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 5823030
    Abstract: A key having profile features which include a shaped indentation on a first side of the blade and an aligned projection on the opposite side of the blade cooperates with a cylinder lock with unauthorized key trapping capability. The lock has an auxiliary locking pin which cooperates with the key indentation and a movable plate member which cooperates with the key projection. Both the indentation and projection must be present and properly sized and shaped for a properly bitted key to operate the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: International Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Theriault, Charles W. Eden, Jr.