Having Discrete Manipulatable Release Means (e.g., Lever) Patents (Class 16/324)
  • Patent number: 4655499
    Abstract: A vehicle including a door (16) and door frame (14). A hinge mechanism connects the door (16) to the door frame (14), the hinge mechanism including a bracket member (22) having first and second ends (24, 26) and a first support bracket (28) for supporting the first end (24) from a door frame (14) by a pin member (30) and a second support bracket (32) for supporting the second end (26) from a door (16) by a second pin member (34). The invention is characterized by including a hinge latching mechanism (48) for releasably latching one of the first and second ends (24, 26) of the bracket member (22) from pivoting movement relative to the respective one of the first and second support brackets (28, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Robert J. Piper
  • Patent number: 4619542
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a divided grip rod of a foldable baby carriage permits automatically locking the grip rod in an unfolded state and this locking can be canceled by a simple operation. The grip rod (2) is divided into two portions (2a, 2b), which are interconnected at their ends while being supported for rotation around the axes of parallel rotary shafts (6). Lateral surfaces of the ends of the portions of the grip rod intersect the rotary shafts. Each lateral surface has a locking recess (12). A locking plate (4) is movable axially of the rotary shafts so that it can fit simultaneously in the two locking recesses when the grip rod is in its straight state. The locking plate is urged by a spring in the direction in which it fits in the locking recesses for normally maintaining the locked state. An unlocking member (5) is provided to for disengaging the locking plate from the locking recesses against the force of the spring to permit folding of the grip rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Kenzou Kassai
  • Patent number: 4614454
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for locking two foldable sections (2a, 2b) of a grip rod (2) of a baby carriage has two gears (26) meshing with each other. The grip rod sections are foldably interconnected by a coupling (12) which supports the gears (26) for rotation around their respective axes. One end surface of each gear (26) is formed with a locking recess (29) for receiving a locking plate (20) in the locked state. The locking plate is movable axially of the gears (26) for unlocking. The locking plate (20) is urged by a spring (32) into the locking recesses (29) to maintain the locked state. A push button (23) moves the locking plate (20) out of the locking recesses (29) against the force of the spring (32) to permit the folding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Kenzou Kassai
  • Patent number: 4479675
    Abstract: A lid for the luggage compartment of a motor vehicle has a hinge pin with opposed ends supported in upwardly opening sockets mounted on vehicle body. Spring biased latches are carried by the sockets and have lugs projecting over the hinge pin to latch the hinge pin and enable pivotal movement of the lid about a hinge axis defined by the hinge pin. The latches are withdrawn to unlatching positions by handles integral with the latches. Springs carried by the sockets lift the end of the hinge pin out of the socket so that the ends of the hinge pin engage with the lugs to hold the latches in the unlatched position to enable subsequent pivotal movement of the lid about a second hinge pin provided at the other end of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt O. Zankl
  • Patent number: 4458379
    Abstract: A closure panel hinge and hold open mechanism includes a hinge bracket adapted for mounting on a vehicle body and a closure panel bracket. A pivot shaft pivotally mounts the closure panel bracket on the hinge bracket. A coil spring surrounds the pivot shaft and has integral first and second spring legs extending outwardly from the endmost spring coils thereof and respectively anchored on the hinge bracket and the closure panel bracket to urge the closure panel to a normal closed position relative the hinge bracket. A detent shoulder is provided on the hinge bracket and is automatically engaged by the second spring leg anchored on the closure panel when the closure panel bracket is moved from the closed position to the open position to hold the second spring leg against return movement and thereby hold the closure panel in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Alan J. Shelton
  • Patent number: 4372612
    Abstract: The invention consists of an infinitely variable seat reclining mechanism which is composed of a first arm attached to the seat cushion frame and a second arm attached to the seat back frame. A pivot pin rigidly secured to the second arm extends to at least one side thereof on an axis of rotation. The first arm is rotatably mounted on the pivot pin to be capable of relative rotation with respect to the second arm. A pair of locking pawls are rotatably mounted on the first arm. The locking pawls are capable of rotation toward and away from one another about separate pivot points and into contact with a circular friction surface on the second arm. The circular friction surface on the second arm has its center at the axis of rotation between the first and second arms. A spring is included for biasing the locking pawls toward one another. Each of the locking pawls has a substantially V-shaped groove on one end thereof which is capable of engaging the friction surface on the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Wiers, Daniel W. Roper, Richard F. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4355846
    Abstract: A vehicle seat back adjuster with manually releasable forward tilt lock providing fine increments of adjustment through the combination of a translation overdrive for a fine tooth ratchet accommodated by accurate location of extremity stops and special provision for assuring full tooth engagement at extremity positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd A. Kluting, Vikram H. Zaveri
  • Patent number: 4313638
    Abstract: An infinitely variable seat recliner mechanism is provided for automobile seats. The mechanism has a first arm having a generally V-shaped camming surface thereon. The mechanism has a second arm having a pivot pin rigidly attached thereto. The first arm is mounted on the pivot pin of the second arm to enable relative rotation therebetween. There are two wedge blocks having a generally V-shaped friction surface at one end thereof slidably mounted on and retained in the generally V-shaped camming surface on the first arm. A friction surface is provided on the second arm having a generally V-shaped cross section with an included angle equal to the included angle of the friction surfaces on the wedge blocks and is capable of mating therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel W. Roper