Flexible Patents (Class 292/125)
  • Patent number: 11318909
    Abstract: A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel in a closed position with respect to a body of the vehicle; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle; one or more linkages connected to the support plate at one end and connected to the mounting plate at another end, the one or more linkages providing said coupled to the mounting plate; a locking member mounted on the support plate and configured for retaining the mounting plate in a home position when coupled to the mounting plate and for decoupling from the mounting plate when operated; an actuation system coupled to the linkages for extending the linkages once the locking member is decoupled from the mounting plate, in order to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from the home position to an extended position; wherein the latch is also moved from the home positio
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventors: Csaba Szente, John Distefano, Ioan Dorin Ilea
  • Patent number: 10829968
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-vehicle lock, in particular a motor-vehicle door lock. In order to provide a reliable assembly and a reliable operation for said lock, the drive housing 6 of the servo closing function 2 is designed to function simultaneously as a Bowden cable bearing 8 and as a receiving chamber or shaft 14 for the micro-switch 15. The drive housing 6 has a robust, compact design and allows the micro-switch 15 to be sited securely in the drive housing 6 always in the same place. This also remains the case as the securing cover 10 is fixed in the drive housing 6 by means of a clip 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Claus Topfer, Christian Sentzke, Winfried Schlabs, Tim Sonnenschein
  • Patent number: 10316555
    Abstract: An internal release mechanism for a truck roll-up door closure to a vehicle compartment includes a lift arm disposed on the roll-up door inside the vehicle compartment having a stowed position and a deployed position, a first release mechanism coupled to the lift arm operable to bypass a door lock disposed outside the vehicle compartment in response to the lift arm being moved by an occupant inside the vehicle compartment from the stowed position to the deployed position, and a second release mechanism coupled to the lift arm operable to clear a mechanical door latch disposed outside of the vehicle compartment also in response to the lift arm being moved from the stowed position to the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ROM Acquisition Corporation
    Inventor: Richard D. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10006228
    Abstract: A door latch device for a vehicle may include an inter lever locking or unlocking a door opening and closing a vehicle interior, a cable connected to a door handle disposed on the door; a cable cover surrounding the cable and removably fixed to the cable when the door is shocked; and an open preventing lever configured to be removably fixed to the cable cover, be rotatable when being removed from the cable cover, and have the inter lever which is present within a rotation radius thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyong Don Kim
  • Patent number: 9237666
    Abstract: A folding electronic device includes a first main body having a first housing, an engagement unit, a second main body engaged with the first main body, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a hook member, a hook driving member, a first reset driving member, and a latch member. The hook member is fixed to the first main body. The latch member is fixed to the second main body. The hook driving member drives the hook member to protrude from the first housing to latch with the latch member when the electronic device is folded. The reset driving member retracts the hook member into the first housing when the electronic device is unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji-Bing Guo
  • Patent number: 8402571
    Abstract: A handle mechanism for lifting a toilet seat and its cover. The handle mechanism is affixed to the toilet seat cover, and selectively engages the toilet seat to lift the cover and the seat individually or together. Because the handle mechanism is affixed to the front of the cover, when the toilet is being used, with the seat up or down, the handle mechanism is well away from the toilet, such that the handle mechanism remains clean and sanitary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Patrick Pagett
  • Patent number: 8287009
    Abstract: The system contains a latch mechanism for a container having a first container portion and a second container portion comprising a guide part attached to the first container portion. A slide part is carried by the guide part, shiftable relative to the guide part between a closed position restraining the second container portion and an open position releasing the slide part from the second container portion. A guide catch part is integral with said guide part and a slide part including a depressible flap. A slide catch part is integral with said depressible flap. Interaction between said guide catch part and said slide catch part restrains said slide part against movement from said closed position into said open position. Actuating said depressible flap releases said slide catch part from being restrained by said guide catch part and frees the slide part to move from the closed to open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Symmetry Medical Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary T. Dane, Kraig Herman Allen
  • Patent number: 8109541
    Abstract: A latching structure of a mobile electronic device includes a button module, at least one lock pin, at least one linking rod, and at least one hook module respectively disposed in a base and a display of the mobile electronic device. One end of the linking rod is coupled to the button module and another end of the linking rod is coupled to the hook module. When the button module is pressed, the button module drives the linking rod to force the hook module to release the lock pin so as to allow the user opening the display from the base of the mobile electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiming Chang, Yung Chih Kuo, Li Che Lu, Min-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 7780208
    Abstract: A hood lock assembly affording effective support in the closing direction of a vehicle hood is provided with flexibility, such that under a predefined overload, the hood is capable of additional movement in the closing direction beyond the normal closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Juergen Koppenhoehl, Kai Visel, Eberhard Weik
  • Patent number: 7703310
    Abstract: In a door opening and closing device for a vehicle in which a cylinder body of a cylinder lock having a rotor turned in response to a key operation and a casing of a door-locking device which has a door-locking lever shaft turned in response to the turning of the rotor and is switched over between a locking state and an unlocking state in response to the turning of the door-locking lever shaft are mounted to a door, a turning movement-transmitting member having a flexibility is disposed between the cylinder lock and the door-locking device so as to transmit a turning force of the rotor to the door-locking lever shaft by its twisting motion responsive to the turning of the rotor. Thus, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom for the relative dispositions of the cylinder lock and the door-locking device, while eliminating the need for a protector for preventing the unauthorized access from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Usuzaki, Fumio Kobayashi, Naoki Katsumata, Nobuyuki Kishikawa, Hidetoshi Ijuin
  • Patent number: 7669901
    Abstract: A door safety latch for air cleaner is provided. The door safety latch includes a latch arm including a latch projection, with the latch arm configured to pivot with respect to a door of the air cleaner, and a slider that traps a portion of the latch arm. The slider is configured to hold the latch arm in a first, latched position and further configured to pivot the latch arm to a second, unlatched position. The door safety latch further includes a release button that includes a stop shoulder. The release button is biased to a normally extended position with the stop shoulder blocking movement of the slider and the latch arm to the second, unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Oreck Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Paterson, John R. Bohlen, Steve Irby, Paul Moshenrose, Owen T. Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 7469737
    Abstract: A door system is provided for a door opening defined by a pair of vertically spaced jambs, a header positioned near the vertical extremity of the jambs, and a floor supporting the jambs. The door system includes a door, a plurality of track sections, the door being movable on the track sections, and a support system coupled to the door. Engagement of the support system when the door is in a closed position enables transfer of forces applied to the door at least to one of the header and the floor. One embodiment provides for automatic actuation of the support system by movement of a pivoting motor assembly to a closed position. Another embodiment provides for manual actuation of the support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Allen C. McDowell
  • Patent number: 7213428
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking and unlocking a vehicle door includes a cylinder lock having a rotor, a door lock mechanism including a key operation input shaft which rotates to switch a locked state and an unlocked state of a door, and a torque cable for transmitting rotation of the rotor to the key operation input shaft. One end of the torque cable is connected to the rotor via a gear transmission mechanism accommodated in a gear case. The gear transmission mechanism is constructed by a face gear coaxially connected to the rotor, and a pinion gear which has an axial line perpendicular to an axial line of the face gear, is connected to the torque cable, and is meshed with the face gear. The pinion gear is accommodated in the gear case to be capable of being displaced in an axial direction in a limited range while keeping a meshed state with the face gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Harada, Hidetoshi Ijuin, Nobuyuki Kishikawa, Kozou Munezane, Naoki Katsumata
  • Patent number: 7059639
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hood latch cable retaining system. A cable mounting cavity for a conventional snap-fit cable fastener is provided in a latch support structure of the hood release mechanism. A retainer is mounted to the latch support structure and positioned such that a flange portion of the retainer having a confronting edge is spaced a predetermined distance and offset from the center line of the cable mounting cavity. The latch support structure may be deformed or repositioned during a frontal vehicle impact, causing the confronting edge of the flange to come into contact with the control cable. The confronting edge impedes the snap-fit fastener from disengaging from the latch support structure, preventing the vehicle hood from inadvertently opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Lee Bettencourt Gates, Patrick Joesph Ellison
  • Patent number: 7040675
    Abstract: A latching system includes a control unit that houses a remote signal responsive relay and a crank arm that is pivoted by the armature of the relay when the relay is energized to oppositely move a pair of elongate links each of which is connected to a separate latch assembly for moving operating arms of the latch assemblies to unlatched positions for causing the latch assemblies to release their latched engagement with strikers that hold a closure closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Brian M. Ott, Michael O. Misner, Thomas Heinrich, Timothy P. Laabs
  • Patent number: 7011347
    Abstract: A latch for a section door wherein near the hinges located between the door elements there are provided, at each end of the elements, small rolling wheels which turn on horizontal pivots and slide within side guide bars having a vertical branch, an upper horizontal branch, and a curved connection branch located between the vertical and horizontal branches; the latch is located sideways and is intended for engaging, in its active position, in an opening provided in one of the side guide bars. The side latch is located coaxially with one of the small wheels intended to slide within the side guide bars of the section door. Preferably, the small wheel coaxial to the latch is mounted on a hollow pivot, and the latch is guided to slide within the bore of this hollow pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Ivo Finardi
  • Patent number: 6945584
    Abstract: A tailgate advertising assembly includes a tailgate and a billboard. The tailgate is for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and an open position as for loading and unloading, and has an upper extremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, and an outer face. The billboard is engaged to the tailgate, and overlies the outer face of the tailgate. The billboard supports advertising indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Frank R. Alber
  • Patent number: 6932395
    Abstract: A window assembly having an emergency release mechanism that can be actuated by a release handle is provided. The release handle can be moved from an initial, non-releasing position to an intermediate, non-releasing position, and then to a final, releasing position where the window assembly is unlatched. The release handle can be biased in different raised positions by a biasing mechanism that utilizes a compression spring to apply lateral pressure to the release handle hinge. The amount of force required to move the handle can be easily adjusted by varying the amount of pressure exerted by the compression spring on the release handle hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: SE-GI Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Steffen R. du Bois
  • Patent number: 6918275
    Abstract: A combination key lock and latch assembly for a vehicle trunk lid having the key lock located separately and closely adjacent the latch assembly without requiring modification of an existing latch assembly. A sliding actuator is attached to an existing latch assembly without requiring modification. The key lock includes a projecting arm for rotation upon user rotation of the key lock; and, the arm contacts a projection on the sliding actuator for affecting movement and release of the latch. The latch assembly may be manually released from inside the trunk by moving the projection on the sliding actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Martus, Scott L. Loring
  • Patent number: 6789833
    Abstract: A tailgate advertising assembly includes a tailgate and a billboard. The tailgate is for attachment to a rear of a vehicle so as to be moved between a closed position and an open position as for loading and unloading, and has an upper extremity, a lower extremity, opposing side extremities, an inner face, and an outer face. The billboard is engaged to the tailgate, and overlies the outer face of the tailgate. The billboard supports advertising indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Frank R. Alber
  • Patent number: 6742819
    Abstract: A hood latch assembly for a front end module of a vehicle includes a hood latch, which locks a striker of a hood, installed at an upper horizontal portion of a front panel of the front end module formed of upper and lower horizontal portions and a vertical portion connecting the left and right sides of the upper and lower horizontal portions. The first release cable has one end connected to a release lever disposed at a driver's seat. The first release cable is installed at the upper horizontal portion of the front panel to be capable of sliding. A second release cable has one end connected to the hood latch. A connection unit is installed at the other end portions of the first and second release cables, which connects or separates the first and second release cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Halla Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Won-Sub So, Dae-Bok Kwan
  • Publication number: 20040032129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a hood latch cable retaining system are described. A cable mounting cavity, such as a hole or slot for a conventional snap-fit cable fastener is provided in a latch support structure of the hood release mechanism. A retainer is mounted to the latch support structure and positioned such that a flange portion of the retainer is spaced a predetermined distance and offset from the center line of the cable mounting cavity. A confronting edge of the flange preferably includes a retaining cavity such as a slot positioned such that the center line of the retaining cavity is offset in relation to the center line of the mounting cavity. The control cable is installed into the hood latch support by placing a snap-fit fastener near the end of the control cable, slightly bending the cable around the spaced retainer, connecting the leading edge of the cable to the latch lever and then pressing the snap-fit fastener into the cable mounting cavity of the latch support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Lee Bettencourt Gates, Patrick Joesph Ellison
  • Patent number: 6540269
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (10) is produced for holding a sliding door in the open position and has a Bowden cable (22) which acts on its locking element (20), a moving-carriage support (14) and a moving carriage (18), which move relative to one another during the closing of the door. In order to disengage the door handles from the locking mechanism when the sliding door is closed and therefore in order to reduce the actuating forces for unlocking the door lock, the moving-carriage support (14), during the closing movement, shifts a driver (34) which is guided on the moving carriage (14) and carries along the locking element (20) in the direction of its unlocking position. By this, the Bowden cable (22) is moved in its actuating direction, thereby enabling the door handles to be disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Mathias Würges, Martin Roos
  • Publication number: 20020140236
    Abstract: A locking mechanism (10) is produced for holding a sliding door in the open position and has a Bowden cable (22) which acts on its locking element (20), a moving-carriage support (14) and a moving carriage (18), which move relative to one another during the closing of the door. In order to disengage the door handles from the locking mechanism when the sliding door is closed and therefore in order to reduce the actuating forces for unlocking the door lock, it is proposed that the moving-carriage support (14), during the closing movement, shifts a driver (34) which is guided on the moving carriage (14) and carries along the locking element (20) in the direction of its unlocking position. By this means, the Bowden cable (22) is moved in its actuating direction, thereby enabling the door handles to be disengaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Mathias Wurges, Martin Roos
  • Patent number: 6142035
    Abstract: An interior securing device for a lock of a movable vehicle body part of a motor vehicle includes a Bowden cable provided as a transmitting device which is rigidly connected with a securing knob and is linked to an adjusting element. The Bowden cable is surrounded along its length by a flexible guiding sleeve. Near the securing knob, the guiding sleeve is held fixed to the vehicle body part. Near the adjusting element, the guiding sleeve is held fixed to the lock. The securing device is particularly suitable for use with rear side doors of passenger cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Udo Babatz, Herbert Schmidt, Claus Topfer
  • Patent number: 5622395
    Abstract: According to the invention a releasable mounting system for retaining a protective cover (i.e., security grill) over an opening (i.e., window or door) in a wall of a structure is provided. The releasable system of the present invention includes a latch pin adapted to be rigidly connected to the protective cover. A housing assembly for accommodating the release means and for receiving the latch pin is also provided. The release means provided by the instant invention are pivotally mounted inside the housing assembly and include a latch member having a lever segment and a catch segment. Further provided are separation biasing means that facilitate movement of the latch member from a release position to a cocked position. Invention separation biasing means additionally facilitate movement of the latch pin away from the housing assembly when the latch member is in a release position. Also provided are remote actuating means that are connected to the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventors: Jerry P. Shine, Richard W. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5611580
    Abstract: A fuel filler door release system for a vehicle, includes an outer casing having a longitudinal opening with first and second opposing open ends, and a piston having a piston portion, an insert groove and first and second inner end surfaces. A pivotal lever is also provided having a first arm inserted within the insert groove and a second arm selectively actuable by a release cable. A spring member biases the piston and a switch lever, so that the piston portion is extended through the second end of the longitudinal opening unless the first arm acts on the first inner end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Suk J. Choi
  • Patent number: 5580107
    Abstract: An improved latch hook mechanism for portable PCs and the like is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a portable PC latch mechanism of the present invention comprises a latch assembly including a latch hook disposed on the exterior of the bezel portion of the lid of the PC and connected to an arm of approximately the same length as the latch hook via a longitudinally disposed spring member, both of which are disposed within the interior of the lid. The spring member defines an axis about which the latch hook and the arm may be caused to rotate relative to one another when force is applied to the free end of the arm. One end of a ribbon cable is connected to the free end of the arm. The remainder of the cable is arranged such that it extends down the interior of the lid of the PC through one of the hinges connecting the lid to the base of the PC and is secured to the rear interior of the base via a hook or screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventor: Bryan Howell
  • Patent number: 5560658
    Abstract: The large overhead bi-fold doors of the present invention are hinged along a centerline and hung by hinges from the top of the door opening. A motor mounted inside and above the door opening is connected to one end of a cable, the other end of which passes around a pulley at the bottom of the door and then upwardly to a latching mechanism located beneath the horizontal hinge line of the doors. When the motor is activated, the cable pulls on a dog or arm connected to a shaft which also carries the hook of a latching device. The hook engages a strike attached to the frame of the building on which the door is mounted, and when the motor is activated, the cable pulls on the dog which disengages the hook from the strike and further tension on the cable by the motor raises the door to an elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Plyco Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Coolman, Eugene Sawyer
  • Patent number: 5358292
    Abstract: A gate latch of the type including a latch bar mounted for movement with a hinged gate and a latch bracket secured to a stationary gate post disposed for engagement with the latch bar when the gate is in a closed position includes an elongated wire cable having a first end secured to a pivotal latch lever mounted in the latch bracket. The pivotal latch lever includes a recess for partially surrounding the latch bar in a latched position. A second end of the cable extends through a bore in the gate post and is secured to an enlarged handle for manual tensioning of the cable to move the pivotal latch lever to an unlatched position. A pair of bushings are disposed in opposite outer end portions of the bore formed through the gate post and include exposed radially extending abutment flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventors: Peter C. Van Wiebe, Dietmar H. Penno
  • Patent number: 5233849
    Abstract: A remote control latch assembly includes a fork-bolt and detent style latch carried on the moveable deck lid of a vehicle. A key actuator is spaced from the latch and receives a standard key for unlatching the deck lid from a covered position over the trunk compartment. The key actuator includes a frame attached directly to the moveable deck lid, and a rotor supported in the frame and turned by the key. An involute track is formed in the frame having the rotor as its theoretical base cylinder. A core element operatively extends between the rotor and the latch. A conduit guidably surrounds the core element and includes a flange adjacent a terminal end portion thereof slideably received in the involute track. The angular orientation of the conduit is adjusted relative to the key actuator frame without relative lengthwise movement between the core element and the conduit by sliding the flange in the involute track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony G. Forbers
  • Patent number: 5193862
    Abstract: An anti-theft latch mechanism is especially suitable for securing vending machines. According to the present invention, a control mechanism (such as a rotatable stud attached to a knob) includes a clutch arrangement by which the control mechanism remotely controls a latch portion. Thus, the control mechanism is not rigidly tied to the remote latch, thereby avoiding possible damage to the latch and relaxing design criteria for the mechanism as a whole. A latch portion prevents vandals or thieves from pushing the door either inward or outward as they attempt to gain entry to the inside of the vending machine. For this purpose, the latch provides a cove in which a catch in the side of the vending machine is enclosed at least partially on all four sides when the door is closed. This cove arrangement substantially prevents the latch from being shaken loose even when the vandal or thief jars the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Royal Vendors, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Oden
  • Patent number: 5076622
    Abstract: A solenoid actuated self-compensating latching apparatus adapted for use in motor vehicle applications. The latching appartus includes a solenoid assembly having an armature movable between a first and second position. A latch mechanism is secured to the solenoid assembly and includes a latch member coupled to the armature for lockingly engaging a striker when the armature is in one position and releasably disengaging the striker when the armature is in the other position. The latch mechanism is self-compensating to align the latch member relative to the striker, prior to engagement therewith, to compensate for alignment variation between the latch member and the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Lectron Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles A. Detweiler
  • Patent number: 5054826
    Abstract: The vehicle has a luggage compartment panel which carries a latch engageable with a striker mounted on the vehicle body. A release trigger carried by the latch is positioned near the striker when the latch engages the striker. An actuator member is movably mounted on the striker and has an actuator arm extending into proximity with the trigger. A remote release handle mounted in the operator compartment is connected to the actuator member so that operator actuation of the release handle moves the actuator member relative the striker to carry the actuator arm into engagement with the trigger and actuate the trigger to unlatch the latch. A hinge is interposed in the actuator member by which the operator may fold the actuator member to a folded condition removing the actuator arm from proximity with the release trigger so that operator actuation of the remote release handle moves the actuator member without releasing the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. Dow, David Kowalczyk, Carl D. May, Charles M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5035452
    Abstract: In a cable latch system for a vehicle door, the inside door handle is connected by a single push/pull control cable to a bellcrank lever mounted on the latch housing. The bellcrank lever is itself connected to the locking and release levers of the latch by a vertically disposed spring-loaded push/pull element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Bomoro, Bocklenberg & Motte GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wilfrid D. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4917418
    Abstract: A fuel filler door release system comprising a spring loaded fuel filler door, a latch normally holding the door closed, and a fuel filler door release device including a first strand connected at one end to a remote manually operated lever and releasably connected at the other end to a spring loaded plunger of the release device. A second strand is releasably connected to the plunger and extends to the latch of the fuel filler door. A third strand is connected to the plunger and extends to a pull tab within the vehicle for providing auxiliary release for the fuel filler door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Babcock Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Gokee
  • Patent number: 4917417
    Abstract: A compact, relatively simple hood latch assembly for latching and unlatching a hood of an automotive vehicle is provided in which all the components can be housed in a single housing and which includes only a single pivotal latching lever for providing both a primary latch and a secondary latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Aubry
  • Patent number: 4836591
    Abstract: An anti-theft hood lock release blocker assembly for preventing the release of a vehicle hood latch activated by a connecting sheathed cable. A bared portion of the cable is secured by a cable connector matingly engaged to a protruding member of a platform jounaled for rotation along a limited arc required to effect release of the hood latch. A remotely controlled electromagnetically operated lever is provided for interfering with the rotation of the platform the full length of the limited arc to prevent release of the hood latch. The assembly is provided with cable clamping apparatus to facilitate the retrofit installation of the assembly into existing hood latch/cable mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: ABC Auto Alarms, Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Faust
  • Patent number: 4585258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hood locking apparatus for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a hood locking apparatus which is adapted to overcome any tendency for a remote control cable to disengage from a base plate of the locking mechanism. The locking apparatus uniquely comprises a reinforcing plate defined at the reverse side of a base plate to straddle mounting end portions defined at opposite ends of the base plate for attachment to the vehicle body and a cable disengagement preventive piece defined at and projected from the reinforcing plate to extend in the direction of a notch formed through the base plate. The reinforcing plate has its one end welded to the mounting end portions in such a manner that a predetermined clearance can be formed between the other end and one of the mounting end portions of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruo Mochida
  • Patent number: 4456289
    Abstract: An add-on locking mechanism for a vehicle hood is provided in addition to a standard hood locking arrangement. The locking mechanism includes a mounting plate which is mounted on a support plate of the locking arrangement, and a locking latch that is pivotally mounted on the mounting plate. The locking latch engages and disengages a hasp which is mounted on the hood and with which a pivotable catch of the locking arrangement also cooperates. The locking latch is operated by a Bowden cable which is connected to a key-operated lock situated in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The cable core of the Bowden cable is connected to the locking latch, while the jacket is mounted on a mounting bracket that is mounted on the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Metra Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Badiali
  • Patent number: 4266816
    Abstract: A lock remote control device comprises a lock assembly and a manipulatable unit positioned spaced a distance from the lock assembly. The lock assembly includes a latch lever for selectively locking and unlocking a movable structural element, a first biasing spring for bringing the latch lever in position to lock the movable structural element. The manipulatable unit includes a movable member connected through a latch cable to the latch lever and movable between projected and retracted position, and an actuator operable to permit the movable member to move from the retracted position towards the projected position to bringing the latch lever against the first biasing spring in position to unlock the movable structural element when an external pushing force is applied thereto, but to block the movement of the movable member in the retracted position during the absence of the external pushing force. This movable member is normally biased to assume the projected position by a second biasing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Mukai, Teruhika Takatani
  • Patent number: 4045064
    Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided which comprises a latch member and an open member to move the latch member to its open position. The latch mechanism has a frist condition in which the latch and open members are in conjoint action and a second condition in which the latch and open members are out of conjoint action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Yasumasa Okada