Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Hodan

Patrick A. Hodan 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: 8960735
    Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may be installed on a container so that the catch member engages with a latch receptacle coupled to a hinged lid of the container. When the container experiences the acceleration event, the sear element disengages from the catch element and the hinged lid falls open thereby causing the catch member to pivot to the release position. The latch system automatically re-engages when the container is returned to its upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Northland Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Michael, Reed A. Davis, Patrick A. Hodan
  • Publication number: 20140224806
    Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may further include a security mechanism that is configured to prevent the swing lever and sear element from moving in response to an acceleration event under the condition the latch system is not oriented in an upright and vertical orientation. When the latch system is returned to its upright position, the security mechanism may be configured to not interfere with the normal operation of the latch system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Northland Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Michael, Reed A. Davis, Patrick A. Hodan
  • Publication number: 20140070550
    Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may be installed on a container so that the catch member engages with a latch receptacle coupled to a hinged lid of the container. When the container experiences the acceleration event, the sear element disengages from the catch element and the hinged lid falls open thereby causing the catch member to pivot to the release position. The latch system automatically re-engages when the container is returned to its upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHLAND PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Michael, Reed A. Davis, Patrick A. Hodan
  • Publication number: 20140069926
    Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may further include a security mechanism that is configured to prevent the swing lever and sear element from moving in response to an acceleration event under the condition the latch system is not oriented in an upright and vertical orientation. When the latch system is returned to its upright position, the security mechanism may be configured to not interfere with the normal operation of the latch system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: NORTHLAND PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Michael, Reed A. Davis, Patrick A. Hodan