Patents by Inventor Gert Berg
Gert Berg 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).
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Patent number: 7399009Abstract: A load floor latch for securing a first closure member to a second closure member panel such that when the first and second closure members are fastened, the latch is opened by actuating the handle and the pawl is retracted into the latch. A biasing device such as a torsion spring acts on a locking arm so as to pivot the locking arm such that it engages a slot on the pawl. This maintains the pawl in the retracted position. When the first closure member to which the latch is attached is closed so as to bring the first closure member into a closed position with respect to the second closure member, a projection on the locking arm contacts a contact member such that the locking arm is pivoted and the locking arm no longer remains in the slot in the pawl. The pawl is then free to extend out of the latch to a latched position by the action of a compression spring and engage a keeper on the second closure member to thus fasten the first and second closure members.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Hall, Gert Berg, Richard Horton
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Patent number: 7140650Abstract: A sliding-action slam latch includes an integrally molded actuator having a rigid portion and an flexible portion, the flexible portion serving to bias the actuator closed. Pins extending from the rigid portion of the actuator contact guide surfaces on the latch body to limit travel of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: Gert Berg
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Patent number: 7065992Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing, a handle, and a lock barrel. The housing is adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The handle causes the latch assembly to open when the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the handle. The lock barrel is adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key. The lock barrel has two projections that are positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of the handle to the open position when the lock barrel is in the locked position.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Robin Talukdar, Gert Berg
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Publication number: 20060006665Abstract: A sliding-action slam latch includes an integrally molded actuator having a rigid portion and an flexible portion, the flexible portion serving to bias the actuator closed. Pins extending from the rigid portion of the actuator contact guide surfaces on the latch body to limit travel of the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2005Publication date: January 12, 2006Applicant: SOUTHCO, INC.Inventor: Gert Berg
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Publication number: 20050140150Abstract: The present invention relates to a load floor latch for securing a first closure member to a second closure member panel. When the first and second closure members are fastened, the latch is opened by actuating the handle and the pawl is retracted into the latch. A biasing device such as a torsion spring acts on a locking arm so as to pivot the locking arm such that it engages a slot on the pawl. This maintains the pawl in the retracted position. When the first closure member to which the latch is attached is closed so as to bring the first closure member into a closed position with respect to the second closure member, a projection on the locking arm contacts a contact member such that the locking arm is pivoted and the locking arm no longer remains in the slot in the pawl. The pawl is then free to extend out of the latch to a latched position by the action of a compression spring and engage a keeper on the second closure member to thus fasten the first and second closure members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2004Publication date: June 30, 2005Inventors: Matthew Hall, Gert Berg, Richard Horton
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Publication number: 20050115289Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing, a handle, and a lock barrel. The housing is adapted for attachment to one of the first member and the second member. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The handle causes the latch assembly to open when the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the handle. The lock barrel is adapted for being selectively rotated between locked and unlocked positions by a user using a key. The lock barrel has two projections that are positioned to interfere with and substantially prevent the movement of the handle to the open position when the lock barrel is in the locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Robin Talukdar, Gert Berg
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Patent number: 6626472Abstract: A pawl latch for securing a first member to a second member, such as, for example, a closure panel to a frame or enclosure compartment, the latch including a housing, a handle pivotally carried on the housing, an actuator, and a spring biased pawl, the handle having a tab which engages with the actuator to retract the pawl from engagement with a keeper member or surface to open the latch, the actuator being connected to the pawl through a plurality of slots, disposed in the floor of the housing. A locking mechanism is also provided for securing the latch from unauthorized opening, the locking mechanism having a locking element which holds the actuator against movement and prevents the retraction of the pawl.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventor: Gert Berg
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Patent number: 6474703Abstract: The present invention is a latch for securing a first closure member, such as a lid or cover of an automotive vehicle, in place relative to a second closure member, such as a floor or wall of an automotive vehicle. The latch includes a housing and a handle. The housing includes a channel. The handle includes a handle member, a pawl, a pair of pawl-related biasing members, and a channel-related biasing member. The latch can be opened and closed by grasping and rotating the handle member. The first closure member that is in contact with the latch may be raised by grasping and rotating the handle member upward, and then raising the first closure member upward by way of the handle member. The first closure member may be lowered by grasping and rotating the handle member upward, and then lowering the first closure member downward by way of the handle. Alternatively, the first closure member may be lowered by releasing the handle member when the first closure member is in the raised position.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2000Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Southco Inc.Inventor: Gert Berg
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Patent number: 6178598Abstract: An adjustable hinge assembly for swingably joining hinging panel members together, where improved mounting capability is provided, and adjustability of a pin and the hinge components in multiple directions relative to the hinging panels and to each other is provided, where a base member is mounted to a first hinging member and a pin-carrying member is connected to the base, and a base member mounted to a second hinging member and maintains an adjustable pin-receiving component thereon. Stops are provided to regulate the pivot of the members over a predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Southco, Inc.Inventors: Albert L. Creely, III, Gert Berg, Andreas A. Bolinas, David Giles, Thomas D. Goham, Thomas E. Hall, Lynn A. Handley, Eli J. Holtman, Stefan M. Koveal, H. Allen Riblett, Wolfgang Strasky