Patents by Inventor J. Steven Gray

J. Steven Gray 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: 8523249
    Abstract: A latch assembly comprises a first portion (32) defining an opening and a second portion (54) slidably disposed in the opening for movement of the first portion along the second portion. The second portion includes a stop which is larger than the opening for preventing further movement of the first portion along the second portion in a first direction. A securing element releasably connects the first portion and the second portion in a first relative axially connected position. In a mortise lock (20), the first portion and the second portion are thus movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the edge wall of the housing in an extended position and is inside the housing in a retracted position. Disconnecting the first portion from the second portion allows the first portion to move along the second portion in the first direction to a second axial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Hodgin, J. Steven Gray
  • Publication number: 20090189399
    Abstract: A latch is provided for a mortise lock of the type comprising a housing for accommodating the lock components. The latch comprises a first and second portions movably mounted in the housing and a securing element for releasably connecting the first and second portions in either a first relative axial position or a second relative axial position where the first and second portions of the latch are rotatable relative to one another. In the first axially connected position of the latch, the first and second portions of the latch are movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the housing in an extended position of the latch, and the first portion is inside the housing in a retracted position of the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Hodgin, J. Steven Gray
  • Patent number: 7510222
    Abstract: A latch is provided for a mortise lock of the type comprising a housing for accommodating the lock components. The latch comprises a first and second portions movably mounted in the housing and a securing element for releasably connecting the first and second portions in either a first relative axial position or a second relative axial position where the first and second portions of the latch are rotatable relative to one another. In the first axially connected position of the latch, the first and second portions of the latch are movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the housing in an extended position of the latch, and the first portion is inside the housing in a retracted position of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Hodgin, J. Steven Gray
  • Publication number: 20090079204
    Abstract: A touch bar (24) exit device (20) comprises a retractor element (50) disposed in the housing (22) for substantially restilinear movement. The retractor element (50) connects the touch bar (24) and the latch bolt (82) such that the retractor element (50) and the latch bolt (82) are moved toward the retracted position in response to movement of the touch bar (24). An electrically energizable locking mechanism (104) in the exit device (20) includes a reciprocating plunger (106) moving transverse to the retractor element (50). When energized, the locking mechanism (104) is operative to move the plunger (106) to the projected locking position to prevent retraction of the latch bolt. A time delay circuit is connected to the locking mechanism (104). A switch (120) actuated in response to movement of the touch bar (24) is connected to the time delay circuit for starting a predetermined time interval for temporarily delaying deenergization of the locking mechanism (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: YALE SECURITY INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Whitaker, J. Steven Gray, Larry R. Hunt, Sidney J. Lampley, Michael Ensley
  • Patent number: 7469942
    Abstract: A touch bar (24) exit device (20) comprises a retractor element (50) disposed in the housing (22) for substantially restilinear movement. The retractor element (50) connects the touch bar (24) and the latch bolt (82) such that the retractor element (50) and the latch bolt (82) are moved toward the retracted position in response to movement of the touch bar (24). An electrically energizable locking mechanism (104) in the exit device (20) includes a reciprocating plunger (106) moving transverse to the retractor element (50). When energized, the locking mechanism (104) is operative to move the plunger (106) to the projected locking position to prevent retraction of the latch bolt. A time delay circuit is connected to the locking mechanism (104). A switch (120) actuated in response to movement of the touch bar (24) is connected to the time delay circuit for starting a predetermined time interval for temporarily delaying deenergization of the locking mechanism (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Whitaker, J. Steven Gray, Sidney J. Lampley, Michael Ensley, Larry R. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20080246288
    Abstract: A latch assembly comprises a first portion (32) defining an opening and a second portion (54) slidably disposed in the opening for movement of the first portion along the second portion. The second portion includes a stop which is larger than the opening for preventing further movement of the first portion along the second portion in a first direction. A securing element releasably connects the first portion and the second portion in a first relative axially connected position. In a mortise lock (20), the first portion and the second portion are thus movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the edge wall of the housing in an extended position and is inside the housing in a retracted position. Disconnecting the first portion from the second portion allows the first portion to move along the second portion in the first direction to a second axial position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Chris Hodgin, J. Steven Gray
  • Patent number: 7108300
    Abstract: A latch is provided for a mortise lock of the type comprising a housing for accommodating the lock components. The latch comprises a first and second portions movably mounted in the housing and a securing element for releasably connecting the first and second portions in either a first relative axial position or a second relative axial position where the first and second portions of the latch are rotatable relative to one another. In the first axially connected position of the latch, the first and second portions of the latch are movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the housing in an extended position of the latch, and the first portion is inside the housing in a retracted position of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Hodgin, J. Steven Gray
  • Publication number: 20040169378
    Abstract: A latch is provided for a mortise lock of the type comprising a housing for accommodating the lock components. The latch comprises a first and second portions movably mounted in the housing and a securing element for releasably connecting the first and second portions in either a first relative axial position or a second relative axial position where the first and second portions of the latch are rotatable relative to one another. In the first axially connected position of the latch, the first and second portions of the latch are movable together relative to the housing so that the first portion at least partially non-rotatably projects outwardly from the opening in the housing in an extended position of the latch, and the first portion is inside the housing in a retracted position of the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Chris Hodgin, J. Steven Gray
  • Patent number: 6131970
    Abstract: A latch assembly with a keyed rose plate for quick and easy adjustment to doors of different thickness without the use of threaded components. The latch assembly includes a latch body with an outside end having at least two grooves. The grooves are preferably spaced longitudinally apart from one another by one-half (1/2)the difference in standard door thickness. An outside rose plate has an oblong central opening which allows it to fit eccentrically over the outside end of the latch body. Once aligned with one of the grooves, the outide rose plate may be moved laterally with respect to the latch body to engage in the groove with which it is so aligned. An inside rose plate fits over the inside end of the latch body so that the inside rose plate is free to move longitudinally along the inside end of the latch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Barclay H. Hurst, Kerry D. Huebner, J. Steven Gray