Patents by Inventor Todd C. Zimmer

Todd C. Zimmer 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).

  • Publication number: 20210293053
    Abstract: A door lock may include a latch bolt head and a blocking pin. The latch bolt head may be configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position to selectively engage a latch head pocket of a door jamb. The latch bolt head may also be configured to move between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, wherein the blocking pin is configured to prevent movement of the latch bolt head from the first rotational position to the second rotational position when the blocking pin is in an engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Bedford, Brian R. Fournier, Scott Kasper, William Middelaer, David Nguyen, Ray Nolan, Christine Voelker, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9528295
    Abstract: A locking device includes an integrated circuit board specially shaped to fit the locking device and to bring a sensor on the circuit board adjacent to a moving lock component. The circuit board is preferably routed to form a convex shape that matches the locking device and provides printed circuit wiring to connect one or more sensors or other components to an external wiring harness, thereby reducing point-to-point wiring within the lock. Multiple different circuits may be provided on the same circuit board, which are automatically selected by the connectors used on different corresponding wiring harnesses and/or actuators. The design reduces assembly costs and allows rapid electrification of existing mechanical locking devices with minimal modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SARGENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott B. Lowder, Todd C. Zimmer, Jeff P. Tonon
  • Patent number: 9512645
    Abstract: A locking device includes an integrated circuit board specially shaped to fit the locking device and to bring a sensor on the circuit board adjacent to a moving lock component. The circuit board is preferably routed to form a convex shape that matches the locking device and provides printed circuit wiring to connect one or more sensors or other components to an external wiring harness, thereby reducing point-to-point wiring within the lock. Multiple different circuits may be provided on the same circuit board, which are automatically selected by the connectors used on different corresponding wiring harnesses and/or actuators. The design reduces assembly costs and allows rapid electrification of existing mechanical locking devices with minimal modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SARGENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott B. Lowder, Todd C. Zimmer, Jeff P. Tonon
  • Publication number: 20150184424
    Abstract: A locking device includes an integrated circuit board specially shaped to fit the locking device and to bring a sensor on the circuit board adjacent to a moving lock component. The circuit board is preferably routed to form a convex shape that matches the locking device and provides printed circuit wiring to connect one or more sensors or other components to an external wiring harness, thereby reducing point-to-point wiring within the lock. Multiple different circuits may be provided on the same circuit board, which are automatically selected by the connectors used on different corresponding wiring harnesses and/or actuators. The design reduces assembly costs and allows rapid electrification of existing mechanical locking devices with minimal modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Scott B. Lowder, Todd C. Zimmer, Jeff P. Tonon
  • Publication number: 20120186312
    Abstract: A locking device includes an integrated circuit board specially shaped to fit the locking device and to bring a sensor on the circuit board adjacent to a moving lock component. The circuit board is preferably routed to form a convex shape that matches the locking device and provides printed circuit wiring to connect one or more sensors or other components to an external wiring harness, thereby reducing point-to-point wiring within the lock. Multiple different circuits may be provided on the same circuit board, which are automatically selected by the connectors used on different corresponding wiring harnesses and/or actuators. The design reduces assembly costs and allows rapid electrification of existing mechanical locking devices with minimal modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SARGENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott B. Lowder, Todd C. Zimmer, Jeff P. Tonon
  • Patent number: 7900978
    Abstract: A return spring assembly for returning a handle to the horizontal orientation includes a spring housing having an outer flange that contacts an outer surface of a door around the perimeter of a bored opening and an inner portion with a curved section that securely supports a latchbolt lock mechanism when an identical return spring assembly is installed on an opposite side of the door. A spring is driven by two spring drivers operating with a lost motion connection to the handle spindle to alternately compress the spring from opposite directions as the handle is rotated in opposite directions. The spring is positioned to not interfere with a linkage extending out from the latchbolt lock mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Todd C Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6880872
    Abstract: A lever handle return spring assembly for a cylindrical lock mounted in a bored opening in a door includes support plates on opposite sides of the door. The support plates include cylindrically depressed inner regions that extend partially into the bored opening in the door to accommodate return springs and reduce the visual thickness of the return spring assembly. Spring housings containing compression springs turn within the support plate inner regions and are held in place by cover plates. The support plate, cover plate, spring housing and springs on each side of the door form complete assemblies that are attached to the door via through-bolts. At least one of the support plates preferably includes lock tabs that connect to the cylindrical lock to prevent rotation of the cylindrical lock relative to the door. The support plate and cover plate are designed for strength when stamped from a flat sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, Daniel Seymour, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6860129
    Abstract: A lock mechanism operated by inner and outer lever handles provides a security classroom function and includes inner and outer lock mechanisms that are independently switchable between locked and unlocked states by inner and outer lock cylinders and keys. The inner handle always operates the lock mechanism to retract a latch bolt. The outer handle can only retract the latch bolt when both the inner and outer lock mechanisms are in the unlocked state. The outer key can retract the latch bolt when the inner lock mechanism is in the locked state, but cannot change the inner lock mechanism to the unlocked state or enable the outer handle, thereby ensuring positive control over the locked state of the outer handle from the inner side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorenson, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6735993
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorensen, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20040025548
    Abstract: A lock mechanism operated by inner and outer lever handles provides a security classroom function and includes inner and outer lock mechanisms that are independently switchable between locked and unlocked states by inner and outer lock cylinders and keys. The inner handle always operates the lock mechanism to retract a latch bolt. The outer handle can only retract the latch bolt when both the inner and outer lock mechanisms are in the unlocked state. The outer key can retract the latch bolt when the inner lock mechanism is in the locked state, but cannot change the inner lock mechanism to the unlocked state or enable the outer handle, thereby ensuring positive control over the locked state of the outer handle from the inner side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorenson, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6626018
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorensen, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20030131640
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorensen, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20020100301
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorensen, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6282929
    Abstract: A multipoint mortise lock assembly includes an extended face piece mounted flush along the edge of a door, a mortise lock connected to the face piece, and a pair of hook bolt latch mechanisms mounted to the face piece above and below the mortise lock. An elongated actuator, which is preferably a flat rod slidingly mounted to the back of the face piece, acts to extend and retract the hook bolts in synchronism with a deadbolt in the mortise lock. The actuator is connected between a deadbolt arm in the mortise lock, which drives the deadbolt, and the hook bolt latch mechanisms. The deadbolt arm is driven conventionally, such as by a key or a thumb latch, and the design allows one hand operation of the multipoint mortise lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, Bryce A. Fleury, Dan S. Leiper, Todd C. Zimmer