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).

  • Patent number: 7399009
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Hall, Gert Berg, Richard Horton
  • Patent number: 7140650
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Berg
  • Patent number: 7065992
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Talukdar, Gert Berg
  • Publication number: 20060006665
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: SOUTHCO, INC.
    Inventor: Gert Berg
  • Publication number: 20050140150
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Matthew Hall, Gert Berg, Richard Horton
  • Publication number: 20050115289
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Robin Talukdar, Gert Berg
  • Patent number: 6626472
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Berg
  • Patent number: 6474703
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Southco Inc.
    Inventor: Gert Berg
  • Patent number: 6178598
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: 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