Patents by Inventor Erma W. Kent

Erma W. Kent has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5774938
    Abstract: A locking device is provided for pivotally connecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The locking device is locked in an open position by a first ratchet member attached to the closure and a second ratchet member attached to the support, the ratchet members being biased into engagement by at least one spring. A mechanism is provided to disengage the ratchet members and to hold the first and second ratchet members in a disengaged position so that the closure may be pivoted to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Erma W. Kent
    Inventors: Erma W. Kent, Daniel R. Nietzold, Loronzo H. Thomson
  • Patent number: 5408726
    Abstract: A locking device for pivotally interconnecting a closure to a support and locking the closure in an open position relative to the support. The interlocking device interconnects the closure and support about a vertical axis, so that the closure can pivot about this axis and open and close relative to the support. The interlocking mechanism includes a locking mechanism having two engageable locking ratchet members. One ratchet member is fixedly coupled to the closure, and the second ratchet member is coupled to the support for movement along the vertical axis. The locking mechanism also has a spring which biases the ratchet members together into engagement with each other. Both ratchet members have compatible teeth with a ramping surface and a stopping surface for limiting the pivotal movement of the closure to a first direction and locking the closure in an open position. The releasing mechanism disengages the ratchet members, which allows the closure to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: Erma W. Kent
  • Patent number: 4688656
    Abstract: A safety device attachable to a motor vehicle for preventing the motor vehicle from running over an object, the device including a plate assembly, a safety bar assembly slidably connected to the plate assembly, a first mechanism for raising and lowering the safety bar assembly with respect to the plate assembly, at least one switch assembly and a second mechanism for turning off the motor vehicle. The plate assembly includes first and second plate members which are spaced apart in parallel. The second plate member is pivotably connected to the first plate member. The second plate member pivots around a horizontal axis. The first mechanism is attached to the second plate member. The safety bar assembly is attached to the second plate such that it can only slide relative to the second plate in a direction towards and away from the second plate. The switch assembly is attached to the first plate and extends to contact the second plate. The switch assembly is connected to the second mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Erma W. Kent