Patents by Inventor Francis H. Zimmerman

Francis H. Zimmerman 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: 8727392
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greiner, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth D. Graw, Francis H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8403376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greiner, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth D. Graw, Francis H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8199019
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for temperature monitoring and controlled access to refrigerated medications. An electronically controlled lock is installed on a refrigerator used for storage of temperature sensitive medications. Lock access is given to individuals having differing levels of access authorization so that user level authorization holders may have access to stored medications. Supervisor level authorization holders may have access to stored medications and may also effect changes in lock settings including setting alarm levels. Alarm levels may be adjusted to monitor temperatures within the refrigerated storage area so that in the case that temperature fall outside preset limits, access to the stored medicines may be had only by those individuals having supervisory access authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, John Payson, Brock Robinson, Ernest Vaughn, Francis H. Zimmerman, Matthew R. Greiner
  • Publication number: 20120038177
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: COMPX INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greiner, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth D. Graw, Francis H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7768378
    Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus and methodology for providing a retrofittable lock assembly for an enclosure. A manually or electronically accessible lock assembly has been provided that may be attached to an enclosure to control access to items stored in the enclosure. In a particular form, the retrofittable lock may be applied to a refrigerator used to store controlled medications. The retrofittable lock contains electronic circuitry that maintains a record of user identification, date, and time of access of users seeking access to items stored in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Hill, Steven A. Belzek, Robert Brewczynski, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Francis H. Zimmerman, Ernest Vaughn
  • Publication number: 20090132090
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for temperature monitoring and controlled access to refrigerated medications. An electronically controlled lock is installed on a refrigerator used for storage of temperature sensitive medications. Lock access is given to individuals having differing levels of access authorization so that user level authorization holders may have access to stored medications. Supervisor level authorization holders may have access to stored medications and may also effect changes in lock settings including setting alarm levels. Alarm levels may be adjusted to monitor temperatures within the refrigerated storage area so that in the case that temperature fall outside preset limits, access to the stored medicines may be had only by those individuals having supervisory access authorization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, John Payson, Brock Robinson, Ernest Vaughn, Francis H. Zimmerman, Matthew R. Greiner
  • Publication number: 20080307837
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greiner, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth D. Graw, Francis H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: D534785
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Advance Grinding, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitch S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Brian R. Hill, Matthew R. Greiner, Francis H. Zimmerman