Motor Patents (Class 292/144)
  • Patent number: 8803689
    Abstract: Apparatus for counteracting a suicide attempt of a person trying to hang himself from a cord extended over the top edge of a door which door has an inside upper surface facing the interior of the room, the apparatus including an elongated pressure sensor mountable on that inside upper surface of the door, the sensor having an exposed surface facing away from the inside surface of the door, that exposed surface being responsive to a force applied thereagainst by a segment of a cord when it is draped over the top of the door and hanging downward adjacent the inside surface, and the apparatus being adapted to forward an alarm signal indicating the sensing of the force by the cord, and an electrical controller to forward an alarm signal indicating that the sensor has sensed the downward force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Securitech Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Berger
  • Publication number: 20140217748
    Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is an actuator unit for motor vehicle applications, in particular motor vehicle door locks (1). This actuator unit has in its basic design a housing (8a, 8b), in addition a drive (2) which is arranged in the housing (8a, 8b), an actuator element (3, 4) which can be acted on by the drive (2), and at least one rubber bearing (10) for the drive (2). According to the invention, the housing (8a, 8b) is equipped with mounting projections (15) which are arranged distributed on the circumference of the rubber bearing (10), in the region of a rubber bearing mount (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: KIEKERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Frank Blumenthal, Winfried Schlabs, Claus Töpfer
  • Publication number: 20140210219
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a plurality of plate members stacked and coupled together for rotation relative to each other. A biasing member provides a biasing force tending to cause a rotatable end plate member to rotate in a biasing direction relative to a non-rotatable end plate member. Each plate member has a plurality of notches at its periphery. A SMA wire extends through the plurality of notches so that as the SMA wire is heated, the SMA wire rotates each rotatable plate member from a cold position in a direction opposite the biasing direction to a hot position. As the SMA wire cools, the biasing member rotates each rotatable plate member in the biasing direction from the hot position and returns each rotatable plate member to the cold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: A. Raymond & Cie
    Inventor: Walter B. PIPP
  • Publication number: 20140183880
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electromechanical lock (1), comprising: a solenoid (2) a movable locking element (3) displaceable by said solenoid (2) into an unlocking position of the lock (1) a spring (4) acting on said movable element (3) to hold it in a locking position of the lock (1) with the solenoid (2) in a de-energized condition wherein said movable element (3) comprises an anti-shock shaped portion (31,31?,31?,31??) and said lock (1) comprises an engagement means (8,8?,8?,8??) for said anti-shock shaped portion, said engagement means (8,8?,8?,8??) is displaceable into an engagement position in which it interferes with the anti-shock shaped portion (31,31?,31?,31??) in order to prevent said movable element (3) from displacing into the unlocking position of the lock wherein said lock it further comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow rotor (6), intended to house said solenoid (2) and said movable element (3) such that one end of the latter provided with said anti-shock shaped portion (3
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: RIELDA SERRATURE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Alberto LORETI
  • Publication number: 20140175810
    Abstract: A lock assembly (20) including a lock bolt (28), a first hub (36), a first electrically powered hub locker assembly (64 to 70) and a first manually driven assembly (90 to 103). The lock bolt (28) is movable between a latching position and ah unlatching position. The first hub (36) is adapted to move the lock bolt (28) in response to movement of a first handle. The first electrically powered hub locker assembly (64 to 70) is positionable to selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt (28) in response to torque being applied to the first handle. The first electrically powered hub locker assembly (64 to 70) is connectable to a first power source. The first manually driven assembly (90 to 103) is adapted for selectively preventing or allowing transmission of power from the first power source to the first electrically powered hub locker assembly (64 to 70).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Gainsborough Hardware Industries Limited
    Inventors: Harris Lambrou, Ian Bartos
  • Patent number: 8752870
    Abstract: A remote-controlled security apparatus for a door or window (opening) including a security bar, a motor-driven apparatus such as a linear actuator, and a remote control. The security bar has a first end hingeably connected to a first portion, such as a frame or jamb, of the opening and a second end sized to extend substantially across at least a portion of a width or height of the opening. The motor-driven apparatus includes a first end affixed to a second portion of the frame of the opening and a second end coupled to the security bar. The remote control directs the actuator to move the security bar between locked and unlocked positions. When locked, the security bar extends substantially across at least a portion of the width or the height of the opening. The security apparatus can securely lock a pair of sliding doors and control access remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Brandt Wolf
  • Patent number: 8739586
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical linear actuator for a lock, which comprises a motor, a rotating shaft connected with the motor, a spring sleeved on the rotating shaft and a pin arranged on the rotating shaft and also comprises a slider, wherein the slider is provided with a frame capable of receiving the shaft and the spring; grooves for limiting the rotating shaft are formed on a wall; the spring comprises a first winding, end coils and second windings; the first winding is arranged in the middle part of the spring and takes the shape of a cylindrical spiral; the end coils are respectively arranged at both ends of the spring and coaxial with the first winding; the second windings are arranged between the first winding and the end coils, and circumscribed circles of the second windings are convex relative to the first winding; and third windings coaxial with the first winding can be arranged between the second windings and the end coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Locway Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mengxiao Yuan
  • Patent number: 8727392
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greiner, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth D. Graw, Francis H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8727391
    Abstract: A safety lock for a door of a household appliance, preferably of a washing machine, includes a housing on one end of which there is a mechanical assembly of the door lock, on the other end there is an assembly of the electric switch used to reach closed or interrupted electric circuit, into which also a part of a programme selection switch is included, whereby the assembly of the door lock and the assembly of the electric switch are mutually linked by a slider, which is designed in a way that its lug engages with the hook of the appliance door, when the hook is in the guide, so that upon manual closing of the appliance door the hook pushes the slider towards the assembly when entering the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ITW METAFLEX, d.o.o. Tolmin
    Inventor: Bostjan Berginc
  • Publication number: 20140109479
    Abstract: A retractor element includes a rigid slide connected between a latch bolt and a solenoid plunger for movement between a first position and a second position, the slide operably connected to plunger. A pivoting link defines a slot having an inner end portion extending transversely, the slot configured for pivoting the link when the slide moves between the first position and the second position of the slide. When the retracting mechanism is energized the plunger retracts causing movement of the slide to the second position of slide and the pin to enter the transverse end of the slot in the link. A bearing surface intersects the path of movement of the pin such that significantly less current is required for retaining the plunger in the retracted position than to retract the plunger for blocking the return of the latch bolt to the projected position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Scott G. Morstatt, Jeffrey Sharps, Anthony Benitez
  • Patent number: 8701353
    Abstract: A flush door handle includes a powered actuator that shifts the handle from a fully retracted position to an intermediate position. A user can then grasp the handle, and pull the handle to a fully open position to thereby unlatch the door latch. After a user releases the handle, it shifts to a closed position due to spring force or a powered actuator. The door latch may also comprise a fully powered version wherein the handle shifts from a closed position to an open position, and a powered door latch releases the door latch if predefined conditions are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Patel, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Publication number: 20140097623
    Abstract: An electromagnetic door locking device for a washing machine and similar, adapted to lock a sliding cursor (30) cooperating with the end of a hook mounted on the machine porthole door through a blocking pawl (12). The device comprises two preloaded parallel and mechanically separate metal strips (16, 17), accomplishing the closing and the opening of the power circuit and of the open/closed door circuit, respectively, and that are maintained in the open position by said pawl (12) and by an actuator (13) operated by said cursor (30), when said door is open. (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventor: Onofrio Rocchitelli
  • Publication number: 20140054904
    Abstract: A combination of a door, a door-jamb and a magneto-mechanical-latching-assembly is provided. The door is mounted to close an opening adjacent to the door-jamb. The latching-assembly operates to secure the door in a closed position. The latching-assembly includes a latch-component and an actuator-component. The latch-component is associated with one of the door and door-jamb. The latch-component includes a latch that includes a latch-magnet having a latch-magnet-polar-axis. The latch is mounted relative to the latch-component to reciprocate along a substantially horizontal and linear latching-path between an extended-latching-position and a retracted-non-latching-position. The actuator-component is associated with the other of the door and door-jamb. The actuator-component includes an actuator that includes an actuator-magnet having an actuator-magnet-polar-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Stuart John Andrews, Mark Cumming
  • Patent number: 8657346
    Abstract: The FIMS system is for use with a pod composed of a lid having an engaged portion provided on the outer surface thereof and a pod body having a latch mechanism including an engagement portion that engages the engaged portion as it moves along a predetermined axis to fix the lid to the pod. The FIMS system has a latch mechanism drive means for driving the latch mechanism along a certain axis and an engagement portion position sensor that can generate a signal indicating whether the engagement portion is at an engagement position or non-engagement position when the latch mechanism drive means drives the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism drive means and the engagement portion position sensor are provided in the vicinity of a first opening portion of the FIMS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okabe, Toshihiko Miyajima, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 8651534
    Abstract: A locking device for locking a leaf of a leaf installation has first and second locking elements with respective first and latching elements. The second latching element is located at an end facing the first latching element and capable of a latching operative engagement with the first latching element. The second locking element is stationarily disposed relative to the leaf installation. The first locking element is disposed with regard to the leaf to move correspondingly to a movement of the leaf, so that the first locking element is moved translationally into a locking position towards the second locking element and away from the second locking element into an unlocking position. One of the locking elements has an activating element operable to allow for the latching operative engagement between the latching elements in a blocking position and to prevent the latching operative engagement in a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH +Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Finke, Ralf Höher
  • Publication number: 20140041422
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism of a lock assembly includes a base; a core assembly partially received in the base and having therein a core adapted to connect to the rod so as to control movement of the rod; an operating element rotatably connected to the base; a clutch device movably received in the base and selectively engaged with the operating element; a driving device received in the core assembly to drive the clutch device to move toward/away from the operating element; and an activation device connected to the base to control operation of the driving device such that the latch is moved with assistance of the rotation of the operating element when the clutch device is connected to the operating element and the latch is immovable when the clutch device is away from engagement with the operating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Shyang Chiou, Chia-Min Sun, Yu-Ting Huang
  • Publication number: 20140033773
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a locking system for a door with a mortise pocket. The locking system has a mortise case within the mortise pocket. The mortise case defines an alignment hole. The locking system also has a gear box with a worm gear that defines a notched passage that receives a lock knob shaft. A worm within the gear box is coupled to a motor that rotates the worm. The worm engages the worm gear such that the worm gear rotates when the worm rotates. A control board in the gear box is adapted to receive electronic signals and transmit them to the motor to cause the motor to rotate the worm. The gear box also has a worm gear hub that defines a keyed passage and a hub tab. The worm gear hub fits within the notched passage and the keyed passage receives the lock knob shaft. The worm gear also has two notches that the hub tab contacts individually when the gear hub rotates within the keyed passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: BELWITH PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, Ashok Hirpara, Michael Aaron Cohen, John D. Veleris, Alyssa M. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140021725
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A locking system includes a locking mechanism with a controller configured to provide an actuation signal to an electronic actuator to extend or retract a locking mechanism and to adjust an allowable peak current for operating the electronic actuator to throw the deadbolt based on whether the allowable peak current is sufficient for the locking mechanism to achieve its locked or unlocked positions. The allowable peak current can be adjusted over time between a minimum and maximum peak current, thus optimizing the actual current draw from the electronic actuator required to throw the locking mechanism and minimizing power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: David Matthew Baty, Donald Lee Beene, Raymond F. Rettig, William B. Ainley
  • Patent number: 8621900
    Abstract: An electric door lock including: a lock housing; an operating member having a holding part and a shaft part, the shaft part able to be placed in the lock housing, the shaft part connected to the holding part, the holding part defined as a long axis; a cog wheel able to be placed in the lock housing, the cog wheel having at least one bump; a coupling plate installed on the shaft part of the operating member, the coupling plate having at least one bulge and one protruding part, with the protruding part and the long axis of the holding part designed to move in alignment with each other; a motor placed in the lock housing; three sensor switches set separately in the lock housing; operating the motor causing the bump of the cog wheel to rotate and push the bulge of the coupling plate, so that the protruding part of the coupling plate of the electric door lock installed in the required position on a left-hand door or right-hand door, selectively touches the two sensor switches adjacent to each other, so as to reach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Tong Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong-Faa Wu, Tong-Yi Ho, Kun-Chen Tsai, Chen-Ming Lin, Ching-Chuan Kuo
  • Patent number: 8590948
    Abstract: An outer operational device includes a cover mounted to an outer side of a door. The outer operational device includes a handle and an actuating member operatively connected between the handle and a latch. A sliding block is movable between an alignment position and an alignment position under control of a driving device through electrification. When the sliding block is in the engagement position, a locking block locks the actuating member to prevent rotation of the handle, and the outer operational device is in a locked state avoiding retraction of the latch. When the sliding block is in the disengagement position, the sliding block allows rotation of the actuating member and the handle, and the outer operational device is in an unlocked state allowing retraction of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chun-Meng Shen
  • Publication number: 20130300135
    Abstract: Provided is a locking apparatus for a damping device of a moonpool, which can automatically lock and unlock an opened state of the damping device of the moonpool. The locking apparatus includes: one or more first locking members installed in a sidewall of the moonpool; one or more second locking members installed in a side of the damping device; and a holding unit separably holding the first locking members and the second locking members when the damping devices are in the opened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: TRANSOCEAN SEDCO FOREX VENTURES LIMITED, DAEWOO SHIPBUILDING & MARINE ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Deok Yun, Gurbachan Virk
  • Patent number: 8562038
    Abstract: A manual unlocking unit for a sliding door is disclosed. The unlocking unit includes a pivotable lever element comprising a plurality of abutments; a cable having a first end connectable to an unlocking device for the sliding door and a second end connected to the lever element, the cable being tensioned to actuate the unlocking device; and an actuating element actable on at least one of the plural abutments for pivoting the lever element. Each of the plural abutments is configured for receiving a tension or pressure actuating force from the actuating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventors: Arne Liebscher, Andreas Finke
  • Patent number: 8561442
    Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William Farmer, Sumit Sharma, William Fort, Brian Ganter, Todd Meaney
  • Patent number: 8555684
    Abstract: An electronic lock contains a housing including a receiving room, an electronic control device, a connecting portion, a hole, a first touch portion and a second touch portion; a rotary knob including a grip, a shaft, a cross orifice; a C-shaped seat fixed in the receiving room and including an upper extension and a lower extension, the upper extension having a clutch unit, and the clutch unit having a first clutch element and a second clutch element, the first clutch element having a first clutching portion, and the second clutch element having a second clutching portion for retaining with the first clutching portion, the first clutch element having a peg, the lower extension having an aperture; a dual axis motor including two ends having a first pillar and a second pillar; a helical transmitting gear including a stem portion, a helical face, and a protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jie-Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20130257089
    Abstract: A fuel housing assembly for a vehicle includes a fuel door. A primary fuel door lock system includes a locking shaft having a locked configuration where a locking end of the locking shaft engages a locking member of the fuel door to inhibit opening of the fuel door and an unlocked configuration where the locking end of the locking shaft is removed from the locking member to allow opening of the fuel door. A secondary fuel door lock system is connected to the locking shaft by a decoupling structure that allows movement of the locking shaft between the locked and unlocked configurations relative to the secondary fuel door lock system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lafayette Minock
  • Publication number: 20130257063
    Abstract: A vehicular electric lock device is provided in which a magnet is provided in a slider which is operated linearly in response to rotation of an electric motor and is operatively linked to a lock member, and a magnetic sensor detects by means of a magnetic field of the magnet that the lock member is in at least one of a lock position and a unlock position, wherein the slider (18) comprises a screw-fitting member (50) that is formed from a ferromagnetic material having rigidity and has a threaded shaft (17) screwed thereinto and a magnet retaining member (51) that is formed from a paramagnetic material, covers the screw-fitting member (50) and retains the magnet (19), and the magnet retaining member (51) is coupled to the screw-fitting member (50) while making impossible relative movement in the direction along an axis of the threaded shaft (17) and relative rotation around the axis of the threaded shaft (17). This enables the size to be reduced and the position of a lock member to be accurately detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA HONDA LOCK
    Inventors: Takashi Ishitsuka, Kunihiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8539990
    Abstract: A port door unlatching system is provided that may be used to open the door covering the charge port of an electric vehicle, or the door covering the fuel filler port of a conventional vehicle. The system includes a fuel delivery subsystem with a fuel coupler (e.g., a charging connector or a gas nozzle) designed to transfer fuel from the source to the vehicle via the vehicle's fuel port. The fuel coupler includes a switch that when toggled, causes a control signal to be wirelessly transmitted over a short distance. Upon receipt of the control signal by a receiver integrated into a vehicle that is in close proximity to the fuel port, an unlatching actuator within the vehicle unlatches the port door, thereby allowing it to open and provide port access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Willard Ferguson, Daryl Zalan, Andrew Dai, Troy Adam Nergaard, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 8540290
    Abstract: A structure for electrical locks comprises two rotational members, a latching assembly, and a controlling means. The two rotational members are respectively secured to two handles of a door. The latching assembly includes a cartridge, a sliding element, and a dividing rod. The dividing rod is fitted in the cartridge to define two lateral zones respectively corresponding to two recesses of the rotational members. The sliding member is slidably fitted in one of the lateral zones of the cartridge. The controlling means includes a pushing assembly and a solenoid. When the solenoid is de-energized, the pushing assembly can be moved forward to lock a respective handle. When the solenoid is energized, the pushing assembly can be moved back to free the respective handle. The structure can be easily applied in a door where one handle can be freely operated while the other handle can be electro-selectively operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Te-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 8528947
    Abstract: In a pod used in an FIMS system, diffusion of dust particles or the like adhering on the lid of the pod to the interior of the system is reduced. An engaged portion is provided inside the outer surface of the lid of the pod, and a flange portion provided around a pod opening to which the lid can be fitted is provided with an insertion hole that allows access to the engaged portion from the exterior space. A latch mechanism is supported on the pod body side surface of the flange portion in such a way that the latch mechanism can slide along a direction parallel to the side wall of the flange. An engagement portion of the latch mechanism reaches the engaged portion through the insertion hole, and the state of the latch mechanism changes between an engaged state and a disengaged state with movement of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Igarashi, Toshihiko Miyajima, Tsutomu Okabe
  • Patent number: 8516863
    Abstract: A high security lock includes a lock bolt movable between extended and retracted positions, a bolt retraction gear coupled to the lock bolt, and a manually-driven gear train. When a controller verifies that user-input information is correct for unlocking the lock, the bolt retraction gear and manually-driven gear train are operatively coupled such that the gear train can drive the lock bolt from the extended position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Lock II, L.L.C.
    Inventors: J. Clayton Miller, Donald P. Cooke, Jr., Michael P. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20130192317
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of lock devices, systems, and methods. A lock of the application can include an internal mechanism to permit backdriven operation and lost motion operation. In one form the lock can be made from an assembly of parts that have locating features that require one way installation/assembly. The lock can include an internal power source capable of driving electronics used to determine handedness of a door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Schlage Lock Company LLC
  • Patent number: 8496275
    Abstract: A latch including a housing, a rotary pawl, catch means for releasably holding the pawl in a closed configuration, and means for operating the catch means are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Evan Mengstab
  • Patent number: 8494680
    Abstract: Guard lock for a component for closing an opening having a fixed part and a movable part, with a bolt, which is guided movably between a locking and an unlocked end position in the longitudinal direction of the bolt, a drive implementing a movement for moving the bolt and a transmission device between the drive and the bolt, wherein the drive is an electric motor, and the drive, the transmission device and the bolt are coupled in terms of movement in such a way as to directly transfer kinetic energy, it being possible for the bolt speed to be regulated via a control, and it being possible for monitoring of the movement of the drive, which is coupled in terms of movement to the bolt, to be implemented by the control, and the control being connected to at least one sensor for determining the position of the movable part relative to the fixed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: K.A. Schmersal Holding GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Ingo Sparenberg, Andreas Wilting, Yasar Cevik, Yao Yu, Michael Herbote
  • Patent number: 8419084
    Abstract: The present utility model discloses a smart lock with a modified structure comprising: a lock body including an inner handle and an outer handle, a latch and a bolt, an electrical locking mechanism for interfering retraction of the bolt; the lock body further comprises a manual locking and controlling mechanism connected to the inner and outer handles and controlling opening and closing; the manual locking and controlling mechanism is provided with a rotation actuating piece linked to the inner and outer handles and a bolt moving piece controlling extension and retraction of the bolt, wherein the rotation actuating piece is linked to the bolt moving piece via a locking member to control the bolt for locking when the inner and outer handles are lifted, and the rotation actuating piece is linked to the bolt moving piece via an unlocking member to control the bolt for unlocking when the inner and outer handles are pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cmech (Guangzhou) Industrial Ltd.
    Inventors: Junliang Ding, Fubin Zhou
  • Patent number: 8419083
    Abstract: An electrically operable latch includes a housing and a latch member assembled with the housing for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. A blocker member is disposed in the housing and adapted to block movement of the latch member to the retracted position when the blocker member is in a first position, and to permit movement of the latch member from the extended position to the retracted position when the blocker member is in a second position. An actuator member is disposed in the housing and adapted to move the blocker member from the first position to the second position in response to an electrical signal supplied to the actuator member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: Gary Burmesch
  • Publication number: 20130081251
    Abstract: Lock systems for selectively securing and accessing an enclosure include a housing having a movable locking member disposed therein, with the housing being suitable for installation on the enclosure interior, for example proximate a door. A drive device disposed in the housing is operable to move the locking member between locked and unlocked positions, to correspondingly engage and disengage the door. A receiver responsive to signals transmitted by one or more remote control units selectively operates the drive device. Some embodiments include a wireless remote control unit as well as a wired remote control unit, and may couple with an external power supply to power various components of the lock system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Milt Hultberg
  • Patent number: 8403376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible motorized latch that may be configured in either of a slam latch or a dead bolt latch configuration, just by desired selection and replacement of a minimal number of components, and which may be used on new (oem) equipment or in retrofit applications. In either preferred configuration, an electric motor contained within the latch housing operates to open or unlock the latch. Latch closure may be provided by spring actuation in a slam configuration or by further motor operation in a dead bolt configuration. Either present configuration may make use of an electrical feedback switch for signaling latch retraction while the dead bolt configuration may also include a second electrical feedback switch for signaling latch extension. A gear train may be incorporated within the latch housing to provide reduced speed and increased torque from the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Greiner, Kenneth A. Kaczmarz, Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk, Kenneth D. Graw, Francis H. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20130069514
    Abstract: A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Accuride International Inc.
    Inventors: Darush David Hashemi, Xiaoping Zhou, Xiwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8393652
    Abstract: An SMA actuator includes an SMA element having a first end, a second end, and a central portion therebetween, the SMA element being oriented so that the first and second ends are adjacent one another and attached to one of an anchor interface or payload interface, and so that the central portion of the SMA element is attached to the other of the anchor interface or the payload interface. An electrical shorting device electrically connects the first and second ends, whereby electrical potential may be provided between a first point located between the first end and the central portion and a second point located between the second end and the central portion, thereby causing the SMA element to activate reducing the length of the SMA element. Related latches are disclosed including such actuator, or other simplified or more complex actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventor: Andrei Szilagyi
  • Publication number: 20130043691
    Abstract: An actuator for opening a locking of an emergency oxygen container or a mask door in an aircraft. The actuator includes an opener of a shape memory alloy and a resistance wire. The resistance wire is at least partly wound around the opener and can be connected to a supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Heiko MARZ
  • Patent number: 8365561
    Abstract: An electric door lock includes a door latch mechanism movable between latching and unlatching positions, a manual operation mechanism, and first and second rotatable members. The manual operation mechanism is manually operable to drive movement of the door latch mechanism between the latching and unlatching positions. The first rotatable member is rotatable about an axis, and includes a rotary body and a clutch mechanism. The clutch mechanism is disposed resiliently on the rotary body and is movable parallel to the axis toward and away from the rotary body. The second rotatable member is coupled to the manual operation mechanism for co-rotation therewith, and has one side that confronts the first rotatable member and that is provided with a pushed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yeong Du Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jing-Chen Chang
  • Publication number: 20130015671
    Abstract: Handle device for doors, windows etc, comprising a first rotatable element (1), and a second element (3), and a coupling device. The coupling device comprises an axially movable activating member (30), and at least one engaging member (51, 52) which can be radially moved between release- and engagement positions. In release position, the first and second (1, 3) elements are mutually rotatable. In engagement position, rotation is prevented. An electric motor (21) moves the activating member (30). It has an output shaft (22) rotatable in two opposite directions and a threaded shaft portion (25) with a first thread. The activating member (30) has a thread engagement portion (34) having a second thread corresponding to the first thread of the shaft (22). First and second spring members (41, 42) press the thread engagement portion (34) towards the threaded shaft portion of the shaft, when the first and second threads are disengaged by rotation of the shaft (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Johan Calleberg
  • Publication number: 20130009409
    Abstract: A lock device includes a tongue engaged in a housing, an anchoring device slidably disposed in the housing and movable with a moving device, the includes two sides each having a latch socket and an anchoring member, when one side of the anchoring device is directed toward the tongue, the lock device is locked when the moving device is turned off, and the lock device is locked when the moving device is turned on and when the other side of the anchoring device is directed toward the tongue, such that the electric lock device is adjustable and operatable when the electromagnetic mechanism of the moving device is either switched on or switched off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Chih Chung Chang
  • Publication number: 20120326456
    Abstract: Electrified access-control technology devices for a door, particularly electrified locks for a door, having embedded circuitry therein, and methods of making the same. One or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) having various electronic circuitry are secured inside a housing that encases an access-control device, particularly a lock, for a door. The one or more PCB(s) may be embedded on an internal surface of the housing such that the embedded PCB resides inside the housing along with the lock itself. The embedded PCB(s) avoid interference of both any working components of the lock inside the housing and any openings residing in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SARGENT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel J. Picard, Robert C. Hunt, Scott B. Lowder
  • Publication number: 20120313382
    Abstract: An opening and closing device for a fuel door of a vehicle including a push type latch device for locking or unlocking the fuel door that may be rotatably mounted to a side of a housing by a hinge unit, may include a locking rod movable by an actuator and selectively locked to a locking slot provided in the hinge unit to which the fuel door may be attached, thereby controlling rotation of the hinge unit, and an anti-thrust lever operated in conjunction with the locking rod actuated by the actuator to selectively support the fuel door so as to prevent the fuel door from being thrust backwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Lee, Jae Hoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20120313383
    Abstract: An electronic blocking unit for adding to a manually operateable locking device in particular a mortise lock, to provide a manually and electronically operateable locking system. The electronic blocking unit includes a blocking element, which is moveable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position, a drive mechanism for moving the blocking element, a control unit for operating the drive mechanism and a power supply for operating the control unit and the drive mechanism. The blocking element is constructed in such a way that in the blocking position it blocks an opening of a door, a window or the like and in the non-blocking position it does not block the opening of the door, the window or the like. A locking system of a door, a window or the like is formed by a manually operateable locking device and an electronic blocking unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars Lundberg, Hakan Nordvall
  • Patent number: 8322759
    Abstract: In a pod used in an FIMS system, an engaged portion is provided on the outer surface of the lid of a pod. A through hole is provided in a flange portion that is provided around the pod opening and in which the lid is to be received. The through-hole allows access to the engaged portion from the external space. A latch mechanism is supported on the pod body side surface of the flange portion in such a way that it can slide in a direction parallel to the side wall of the flange. The engagement portion of the latch mechanism reaches the engaged portion through the aforementioned through-hole. Movement of the latch mechanism brings the engagement portion into an engaging state and a disengaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okabe, Toshihiko Miyajima, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Publication number: 20120299315
    Abstract: A structure for electrical locks comprises two rotational members, a latching assembly, and a controlling means. The two rotational members are respectively secured to two handles of a door. The latching assembly includes a cartridge, a sliding element, and a dividing rod. The dividing rod is fitted in the cartridge to define two lateral zones respectively corresponding to two recesses of the rotational members. The sliding member is slidably fitted in one of the lateral zones of the cartridge. The controlling means includes a pushing assembly and a solenoid. When the solenoid is de-energized, the pushing assembly can be moved forward to lock a respective handle. When the solenoid is energized, the pushing assembly can be moved back to free the respective handle. The structure can be easily applied in a door where one handle can be freely operated while the other handle can be electro-selectively operated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Te-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20120292925
    Abstract: An electronic unit for adding to a manually operated locking device, in particular a mortise lock, to provide a manually and electronically operable locking system. The electronic unit includes a motor, gearing elements that can be operated by the motor the gearing elements configured to couple the motor to and to operate an opening and closing mechanism of the locking device connection elements for connecting the gearing elements of the electronic unit with the opening and closing mechanism and a control unit for operating the motor of the electronic unit. The gearing elements are built in such a way that during a manually operation of the locking system the motor is decoupled of the opening and closing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Lars LUNDBERG, Hakan NORDVALL
  • Patent number: 8308204
    Abstract: An assembly for securing an openable aperture closure member (11) in closed position relative to an aperture defines by a main frame (12), the aperture closure member (11) including a mechanically rotational element (24, 44, 54) for securing said closure member (11) to the frame (12), the assembly for securing comprising a push and/or pull actuation assembly (35) for easing the securing and/or releasing process for the aperture closure member, the actuation assembly including a handle bar (26) and at least one connecting member (37) which operably connects the handle bar (36) to the mechanical element (24, 44, 54); wherein the push and/or pull actuation assembly (35) is adapted to be translationally movable by an operator and the connecting member (37) is adapted to convert translational movement of the actuation assembly (35) into rotational forcing movement of the mechanically rotational element (24, 44, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventors: Claes Lindgren, Torben Allesen Pedersen