Spring Arm Patents (Class 292/19)
  • Patent number: 10772434
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include a chair for assembly by a user. The chair for assembly by a user may include a bracket configured to releasably couple an arm rest assembly to a chair seat and facilitate adjusting a width for the arm rest assembly relative to the chair seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: HNI Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Susie, Bradley D. Malli, Trevor J. Roose
  • Patent number: 10765022
    Abstract: A case includes a hook caught on part of a cover. The cover includes an insertion portion of a cylindrical shape into which a rod to detach the caught hook is inserted. The insertion portion includes an inclined portion and a receiving portion on which the hook is caught. When the rod is inserted into the insertion portion, the tip end of the rod is put into a gap between the inclined portion and the hook, and the rod is inclined toward the inclined portion, then the hook is detached from the receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuto Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10711495
    Abstract: A latch for an animal house includes a first arm, a second arm, and a body. The first arm and the second arm are connected to each other at one end by the body, and the first arm and the second arm are each flexibly supported at the body. Each arm is independently able to flex with respect to the body. The latch has a flat spring which is adapted to restore the latch to a rest condition in which the arms are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: HEBE STUDIO LIMITED
    Inventors: James Tuthill, Johannes Paul, Simon Nicholls, William Windham
  • Patent number: 10525898
    Abstract: An electronic device holder includes a mounting surface configured to receive and retain an electronic device. First and second doors are disposed on opposite sides of the mounting surface and are gearingly engaged to one another on a rear side of the mounting surface for synchronized lateral movement between open and closed positions. An actuator is disposed on either the first or second door for actuating the doors to the open position from the closed position. A detent lever is pivotally coupled to either the first or second door and is configured to detent the doors in the open position. A detent release lever is pivotally coupled to the mounting surface, and is configured to release the detent lever such that the doors automatically move from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Gunnar Groesbeck, Joseph S. Talamonti
  • Patent number: 10352045
    Abstract: A method for installation of ceiling tiles in an improved mounting hook assembly to form a concealed grid system, the mounting hook assembly being attachable to a mounting stud (1) having recess on top portion to accommodate screws and fixed at the back of each tiles. The method includes attaching the mounting hook assembly to the tile; rotating a load bearing lever member; rotating a positioning lever member to position the load bearing member on a flange of a T grid bar; and fixing the tile below the T grid at a distance that is greater than the thickness of the tile so that when the tile is lifted up, the load bearing lever are returned to a position above the flange level of the T grid and any tile can be removed or installed in totally concealed grid system without dislocating tiles already laid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Vangala Pattabhi
  • Patent number: 10344792
    Abstract: A receiver assembly includes a housing supporting a receiver at least partially within the housing. The receiver includes interior walls forming a cavity accessible through a slot formed in a face of the receiver. First and second lugs extend from the receiver and opposing guide tracks extend from the housing for receiving at least portions of the first and second lugs and limiting movement of the receiver to a first axis within a first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Jeffrey Alan Mesko
  • Patent number: 9926699
    Abstract: A retention clip for use with a panel system has a base plate having a pair of opposing flanges at least one of which is configured for attaching to a support structure. An upright extends between the base plate and a top plate having a pair of opposing flanges and defines opposing first and second surfaces that in use are dimensioned to engage opposing first and second ends of a pair of first and second adjacent panels. At least the first surface supports a spacer element that is configured to prevent mutual abutment of opposing ends of the first and second panels at least during construction of the panel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Dan-Pal
    Inventor: Micha Ben David
  • Patent number: 9717153
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disassembling a set top box is disclosed. The method includes providing the set top box including: a top cover, a base, and cover retention clips, wherein the cover retention clips are V or U shaped for securing the top cover to the base, providing a release fixture including a retention clip release finger, inserting the release fixture into the set top box, disengaging the cover retention clips using the retention clip release finger, and removing the top cover from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: William Philip Dernier
  • Patent number: 9616670
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printer includes a bottom face and a front face; an ink interface on the front face of the ink cartridge for connection to a cartridge receiving structure; a guide interface in the bottom face for guiding the cartridge along a straight line during insertion into the cartridge receiving structure for connecting the ink interface; a latch track disposed in the bottom face of the ink cartridge to guide a latch of the cartridge receiving structure; a latch stop disposed in the latch track for engaging the latch, where the latch track comprises a locking track and an unlocking track to accommodate movement of the latch with respect to the latch stop, the locking track being at least partly separate from the unlocking track; and a latch guide for redirecting the latch towards the locking track, rather than the unlocking track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David C. Harvey, Curt Gonzales, Ralph L. Stathem, David Olsen, David Welter
  • Patent number: 9534728
    Abstract: The unit comprises an assembly for clasping-escaping and a receptacle-terminal assembly. The assembly for clasping-escaping includes an L-shape subassembly having a vertical wall provided with backwards projecting, vertically spaced and inverted at 90? T-beams for connecting the L-shape subassembly to a parallelepipedic open box subassembly of a receptacle-terminal assembly. A bottom plate, located at the lowest part of the vertical wall extends outwardly. A passage above the bottom plate has a base terminating in a pair of serrations. The clasping-escaping includes a flat bar that after folding itself extends into a diverging strip provided with a multitude of serrations for meshing with the pair of serrations when a component is clasped. The parallelepipedic open box subassembly incorporates a plurality of T profile protrusions for connecting with the backwards projecting, vertically spaced and inverted at 90? T-beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PRIMEX MANUFACTURING LTD.
    Inventors: Mahmud Harji, Balin Lee, Donovan Hammersley, Chun Nam James Chan Chan, Hong Chen
  • Patent number: 9415958
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that can surely position a unit in an apparatus body with a simple configuration where the number of components is small. A drawing apparatus, which draws a sheet feeding cassette as a unit to a predetermined position of the apparatus body to position it, includes : a leaf spring that is an elastic member to jump-buckle; an engaging unit disposed in the leaf spring; and an engaged unit engaged with the engaging unit. When the unit is loaded on the apparatus body, the engaging unit engages the engaged unit, the elastic member jump-buckles, and accordingly the unit is drawn to the predetermined position of the apparatus body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kubota, Daijiro Kato
  • Patent number: 9357672
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air guidance system having an air guidance housing and an air passage grating fastened thereto, the air passage grating being held on the air guidance housing by means of a snap-lock connection. In order to simplify maintenance of such an air guidance system it is provided according to the invention that the air passage grating carries at least one latch having a snap-in shoulder that can be engaged in a snap-lock seat of the air passage grating and that the air passage grating pivotally accommodates a handle in a bearing seat, said handle disengaging the latch from the snap-lock seat when set from the locking position to the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reiner Hartmann, Stefan Schneider, Claudia Christine Ronzheimer
  • Patent number: 9268370
    Abstract: A latch structure is adapted for covering a socket of an electronic apparatus. The latch structure includes a body and a slider. The body includes a covering portion and a fixing portion, and the covering portion includes at least one first sliding part. The fixing portion is flexibly connected to the covering portion and is fixed to the electronic apparatus. The slider is detachably assembled to the body. The slider includes at least one second sliding part, and the second sliding part corresponds to the first sliding part. When the covering portion is bent relative to the fixing portion and covers the socket, the slider is capable of moving relative to the covering portion to a fixed location, so that the location where the covering portion covers the socket is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Tsung-Liang Hung
  • Patent number: 9101259
    Abstract: A door lock for a dishwashing machine includes a lock housing, a pair of closing arms being held in and projecting from the lock housing and having free arm portions projecting from the lock housing that are deflectable relative to one another from a relative normal position in a first deflection direction counter to the action of a resetting spring arrangement, and a closing mouth, into which the free arm portions engage during closing of the door, having deflection surfaces encountered by the free arm portions during engagement into the closing mouth and which bring about a relative deflection of the free arm portions counter to the resetting action of the resetting spring arrangement, where the free arm portions during further engagement is move past the deflection surfaces and in so doing experience an at least partial resetting in the direction of their relative normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Albert Dirnberger, Georg Spiessl, Peter Nitsche, Markus Lang
  • Patent number: 8283065
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing, a battery cover, and a latching module. The battery cover has at least one protrusion. The latching module includes an elastic positioning element attached to the housing and a resisting element attached to the elastic positioning element. The at least one protrusion of the battery cover impels the resisting element to deform the elastic positioning element during assembly and disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8267443
    Abstract: A computer housing (10) is disclosed, that uses a camming action to move a latch (62). The latch (62) is movable between at least two positions—a latching position and an unlatching position. Moving the latch (62) to its unlatching position causes the latch (62) to engage and move one or more latching members or snaps (42) that detachably engage a bezel (38). Once the latching members or snaps (42) have been sufficiently moved, the bezel (38) may be moved away from the remainder of the computer housing (10). Reattaching the bezel (38) to the computer housing (10) automatically moves the latch (62) back to its latching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Chen-Chien Kuo, Huai-Wen Fu
  • Patent number: 8182000
    Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided for securing a storage compartment door within a vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a mounting bracket, a handle, and an undivided, one piece latching member. The latching member includes a main body portion, a first pliable leg portion, a second pliable leg portion, a first post portion, and a second post portion. The latching member is in a relaxed position when the handle is in the latched position and a flexed position when the handle is in the unlatched position. The handle includes at least one abutment member for displacing the main body portion of the latching member as the handle is pivoted from the latched position to the unlatched position. Displacement of the main body portion causes the first and second pliable leg portions to resiliently retract which retracts the first post member and the second post member from extended post positions to retracted post positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Automotive Components Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Mitchell, Jr., James Scott Simon, Stacey H. Raines
  • Patent number: 7815227
    Abstract: An exemplary latching mechanism (20) includes a base (22) having two resilient claps (224), a detachable portion (24) having two resilient clasps (244) for engaging with the hooking portions of the base, and an unlatching element (25). The unlatching element defines two engaging slots (258) and is disposed between the base and the detachable portion. The resilient clasps of the detachable portion engage with the hooking portions of the base when the detachable portion is pressed to be latched to the base. The resilient clasps engage in the engaging slots of the unlatching element when the detachable portion is pressed to be detached from the base. Then the detachable portion and the unlatching element together move away from the base. The engagement of the detachable portion and unlatching element makes the at least one resilient clasp deforms and thus disengages from the at least one hooking portion of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen, Jian-Jun Li, Gang Cheng, Zheng-Qiang Song, Meng-Hua He, Bing-Jing Xu
  • Patent number: 7780203
    Abstract: An exemplary latching mechanism (20) includes a base (22), a detachable portion (24), a rotatable wheel (25), and a resilient member (28). The base has two resilient hooks (224). The detachable portion has two clasping portion (244) for engaging with the resilient hooks. The rotatable wheel has a plurality of hook openers (256) and is rotatable between two states forced by the detachable portion. The resilient member is disposed between the base and detachable portion for providing elastic force. The at least one clasping portion of the detachable portion engages with the at least one resilient hook of the base and the rotatable wheel is at a second state. The rotatable wheel is rotated to a first state and the at least one resilient hook are pushed to deform by at least one of the hook openers of the rotatable wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen, Jian-Jun Li, Gang Cheng, Zheng-Qiang Song, Meng-Hua He, Bing-Jing Xu
  • Publication number: 20100109345
    Abstract: A battery cover mechanism used in a portable electronic device includes a housing having an assembly groove and at least one holding aperture, a cover forming at least one lock and a rib at two ends thereof respectively, a latch member, and an elastic unit. The lock latches the holding aperture correspondingly, the latch member is slidably assembled in the assembly groove, the elastic unit is assembled in the assembly groove and resists the latch member, and the latch member latches the rib to latch the cover with the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: XI-QIU WU, GUANG-XIANG ZHANG
  • Patent number: 7686353
    Abstract: A cabinet catch (10) consists of an integrally molded plastic clip (14) and bracket (12) for mounting to a portion of a cabinet structure. The clip (14) is manufactured from a first plastic material. The clip (14) is rotatable relative to the bracket (12) about an axis of rotation (20). The bracket (12) is formed from a second plastic material different from the first material. The first and second plastic materials are dissimilar to each other so they do not bond to each other. A method of manufacturing the cabinet catch (10) includes the steps of injection molding the clip (14) with a first plastic material and then injection molding the bracket (12) with a second plastic material different from the first plastic material so that the clip and the bracket (12) are integrally molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery C. Lewis, Thomas E. Blake, III
  • Publication number: 20090303668
    Abstract: A battery cover latching mechanism used in portable electronic device (10) is described including a cover member (11), a housing member (12), a latch base (14), a latch member (13), and a return member (15). The latch base can be securely attached to the housing member. The latch member is mounted on the latch base and movable relative to the latch base to latch the cover member to the housing member. The return member is compressed when the cover member is latched to the housing member. The cover can be detached from the housing either by a movement of the latch member driven by the return member or by another movement further compressing the return member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicants: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: XIANG-GUO ZHAO, CHIH-CHIANG CHANG, ZHI LI, SI-QUAN CHEN, ZHI-YUN SHEN
  • Publication number: 20080295291
    Abstract: A refrigerator capable of saving time and labor for mounting a handle to a door is disclosed. The refrigerator has a main body including a storage compartment opened toward the front, a door mounted to the main body to open and close the storage compartment, a handle provided on the front of the door in the form of a long shaft extended lengthwise in a vertical direction of the door in order to open and close the door, and fastening units arranged between the handle and the door lengthwise in the vertical direction of the door to enable mounting of the handle to the door through a simple operation of pushing the handle toward the door and engaging the fastening units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Byung Kil Lee
  • Patent number: 7427085
    Abstract: A catch for articles such as sliding or hinged doors, windows, grilles of a swing opening member, the articles having a catch for preventing their unauthorized opening. The catch has inter-engaging projections which are mounted on flexible shafts, so that if the sliding members are pried apart, the flexible shafts deform and the projections remain engaged and prevent unauthorized opening of the sliding article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Inventor: Yeok Sing Sio
  • Patent number: 7331696
    Abstract: A light fixture for mounting to the underside of a furniture element. The light fixture includes a housing with a first side and a second side opposed to and approximately parallel with the first side. The first side has a first spring latch at one end of the first side and the second side has a second spring latch at one end of the second side. A light source is carried by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Rupert, Geza T. Lanczy, Tim Culbertson, Gregg Laukhuf
  • Patent number: 7108298
    Abstract: A locking device for a cover and the like which is locked by a first push and unlocked by a second push includes a case (1) which has at a work face (8), an elastic leg (7) provided with a follower (14); and a sliding member (2) which has, parallel to the work face (8), a planar cam surface (24) from which projects a central island (27) about which is formed a cam track for the follower (14). On the first push, the follower (14) passes from its free position (R) to its captive position (V) by a first path on the cam track and, on the second push, the follower (14) passes from its captive position (V) to its free position (R) by a second path distinct from the first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ITW de France
    Inventors: Laurent Huet, Christian Courtin, Rachid Idjakiren
  • Patent number: 7082036
    Abstract: A bezel mounting assembly includes a bezel (10), a front panel (30), and a latch (50). The bezel includes a pair of first catches (111) extending therefrom. The front panel includes a pair of first slots (35). The latch includes a pair of second slots (55) and a pair of tabs (551) extending from an edge of the second slots. A resilient member (70) attaches the latch to the front panel. When the bezel is attached to the front panel, the first catches are extended through the first and the second slots to engage with the second tabs. Simultaneity, the latch is moved with the catches abutting and applying a pushing force on the second tabs. The catches ride over and engage with the second tabs. Thus the bezel is secured to the front panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Lung Cheng, Shu-Gang Shi, Ying-Tong Yang, Zhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 6924976
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a support member (30), a pair of lock members (20) and a plurality of fasteners (40). The support member adapted for receiving a data storage device (10) thereon includes a main board (32) and a front board (34). A pair of hooks (322) is arranged on the main board. The front board defines an opening (342) for extension of the data storage device therethrough. The lock member for securing the data storage device to the support member includes a lateral plate (22) and a bottom plate (24). Each of lock members has a symmetrical configuration about a central transverse axis thereof. The bottom plate defines at least one locking slot (242) engagingly receiving a corresponding one of the hooks. The fasteners fixedly secure the bottom plates of the lock members to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Yuan Wang, Yuan-Lin Hsu, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 6808239
    Abstract: Casing, in particular plastic casing (1; 101; 201; 301) of a hand-held electronic apparatus, having a first and a second casing shell (3, 5; 103, 105; 203, 205; 303, 305) and connecting means pressing the first and second casing shells against each other along the contact region, the connecting means having at least one holding element (17), arranged on the first casing shell (5), for a separate locking element (7; 107a, 107b; 207; 307) and at least one hook element (13) arranged on the second casing shell (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Harald Bader
  • Patent number: 6623049
    Abstract: This invention includes a latch member for a latch assembly, suitable for a removable battery package. The latch member accommodates attachment to a latch coupler of an electronic device. A resilient, springy-metal, deflectable latch member is provided. The latch member includes arms for coupling with a latch coupler, a locking arm for adhering to a plastic housing, and spring arms that cause a torsion element to twist when force is applied to the arms. The torsion element is at least twice as long as it is wide, and provides reliable return force despite a short travel length of the arms. The latch member is suitable for battery packages in which space is a premium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Alissa Shreeve, Ray Lathrop, William C. Phelps, III
  • Patent number: 6606241
    Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a computer component into, and removing the computer component from, a bay of a computer, includes a first frame member adapted for movement between retracted and extended positions. The first frame member has a pull bar adapted for grasping by a user for moving the first frame member to at least the extended position. A first locking member is adapted for movement with the computer component and a second locking member is stationary with respect to the first frame member. The first and second locking members are mutually engageable when the first frame member is in the retracted position for preventing movement of the computer component out of the bay. Movement of the first frame member from the retracted position toward the extended position causes the first and second locking members to disengage and release the computer component from the bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Earl W. Moore
  • Patent number: 6508495
    Abstract: A latch assembly for securing a cover to a container comprises a base for mounting to the container cover adjacent to an edge thereof, a cover member secured to the base and a slider slidable between the base and cover member between a latched position wherein a portion of the slider interfits with the container and an unlatched position wherein the slider portion is disengaged from the container. A headed spring member interposed between the slider and the base interfits with openings in the slider to signal when the slider has reached its latched and unlatched positions and to releasably retain the slider at those positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Edward D. Riley
  • Patent number: 6478346
    Abstract: A snap closure is provided for the detachable securement of a housing cover on a housing of a manually-guided implement, especially to secure an air filter cover that covers an air filter of an internal combustion engine for driving a tool of the implement. At least one snap hook is provided on one of the components that are to be secured together, namely the cover and the housing. The snap hook is provided on an end of an elastically deflectable leg that is disposed on the one component. The snap hook is tapered in the manner of a detent and when the cover is mounted on the housing the snap hook, accompanied by an elastic return force, is engagable in an undercut provided on the other component. The snap hook is deflectable in or parallel to a surface plane on the one component that carries the snap hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Firma Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventors: Norbert Veser, Ernst Buck, Peter Bauer, Frank Opelka
  • Patent number: 6099098
    Abstract: A self-locking mounting method and apparatus are disclosed. A self-locking mounting apparatus comprises a bracket for holding a storage device, a chassis having at least one flange for supporting the bracket, a retaining mechanism which engages the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis. The retaining mechanism may include a tab on the chassis and at least one latch on the bracket. The latch may be a spring latch. A plurality of flanges protruding from the chassis may be used to support the bracket. A method for mounting a self-locking apparatus includes the steps of attaching a storage device to a bracket, inserting the bracket into a chassis, the bracket being supported by at least one flange on the chassis, and engaging the bracket to the chassis with a retaining mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Ming Huat Leong
  • Patent number: 5997115
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis and an access panel mounted on the chassis. The panel includes multiple spaced apart interlocks for mounting the panel on the chassis. A latch is operably connected to the chassis to engage and release the interlocks. The latch includes a main body, a latch member extending from each opposite end of the body for engagement with the interlocks, a single point pressure member and a pair of cantilevered support members extending from the single point pressure member. The support members include extensions for engaging the chassis and retaining the single point pressure member and each latch member in a raised position relative to the chassis for engagement with the interlocks. The application of pressure to the single point pressure member, moves the device to release the latches out of engagement with the interlocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy Radloff, Stephen Cook
  • Patent number: 5978212
    Abstract: A locking member formed of resilient material for locking a disk drive within a computer enclosure includes a first cantilevered beam portion positioned along a first side of the disk drive. A first locking protrusion is positioned on the first cantilevered beam portion and is capable of engaging with the enclosure for locking the disk drive therein. A handle portion extends from the cantilevered beam portion for resiliently bending the first cantilevered beam portion inwardly to disengage the first locking protrusion from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven G. Boulay, Stanley W. Stefanick, Jeffrey E. Gravel
  • Patent number: 5825626
    Abstract: A personal computer includes a housing and a access panel providing access to the housing interior. The access panel is held closed by a latch, and the latch is locked against actuation, by a lock. The lock includes a bar that can be pulled out to a latch-locking position, whereupon an aperture of the bar is exposed for receiving an auxiliary locking member such as a padlock. The padlock prevents the bar from being retracted into a latch-release position. The access panel carries a cooling fan and a plug. The plug is automatically plugged into a receptacle carried by the housing, in response to the access panel being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy K. Hulick, Wayman Lee
  • Patent number: 5787956
    Abstract: A car sunshade curtain, attached to a car window, comprising: a pleated curtain; a first and a second support bar on both sides of the pleated curtain, the first support bar being provided with a plurality of fastening devices attachable to the car window and removable from the car window, the second support bar being provided with an eyehole and a suction cup to be attached to the car window after unfolding the pleated curtain; and a buttoning device, being provided with a button and a buckle, the button being insertable into the buckle to be held there, the button and the buckle being separately mounted on the first and the second support bar, respectively, to fasten the first and the second support bar together and thereby fold up the pleated curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Ing-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 5711554
    Abstract: A safety latch for latching a door of an enclosure to the enclosure includes a receiving member mounted to the enclosure and a latching member engageable with the receiving member, adapted to be mounted to the enclosure door. The receiving member includes a base portion for mounting to the enclosure and a receiving post-extending from the base portion. The receiving post has first and second diverging surfaces. The latching member has first and second generally symmetrical, opposingly oriented, spaced apart, biased latching elements. The latching elements are biased toward one another, and are configured for independent locking engagement with the receiving post when the receiving post is inserted into the latching member. Each of the latching elements includes a releasing member extending therefrom and operably connected thereto for releasing the latching member from locking engagement with the receiving post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: BRK Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Brown, Michael C. Thuma, Craig S. Scherer
  • Patent number: 5647618
    Abstract: An infant safety latch mechanism designed to be mounted within the interior of an enclosure for preventing children from gaining access into the enclosure. Specifically, the latch mechanism requires an adult size hand to operate so that the enclosure cannot be opened by a young child or infant. The latch mechanism can be mounted to a wide variety of enclosures, including drawers, cabinets with sliding doors and cabinets with swinging door. The latch mechanism includes a cleat with a pair of first latching elements mounted to a first part of the enclosure, a mounting guide secured to a second part of the enclosure, and a clip with a pair of second latching elements slidably mounted to the mounting guide. The second latching elements have release arms for moving the latching elements of the clip from a latched position to an unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: James E. Lamberth
  • Patent number: 5645304
    Abstract: A bracket for a readily detachable prong receives and retains the prong in both its operative (upright) and inoperative (inverted) positions. The bracket may also provide an internal chamber or sheath for storing a detached prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Inventors: Laura Richardson, Ira L. Richardson
  • Patent number: 5628148
    Abstract: A guide pin and conical guide pin receptor for aligning a door relative to a door frame or other stable grounded device. The pin and receptor align the door from horizontal misalignment and radially throughout 360.degree. relative to the axis of the pin receptor. In aligning the door, interfitting elements on the door and door frame are aligned including such elements as comprise key actuated interlocking switch systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Inventor: Bruce Beutler
  • Patent number: 5445451
    Abstract: A latch secured to a cabinet door includes dual flexible prongs having bulbous ends for engaging an anchor mounted within a cabinet. Upon closing of the cabinet door, the prongs flex and the bulbous ends snap into depressions within the anchor to restrict opening of the cabinet door to a limited extent. Upon initial opening of the cabinet door, both prongs must be manually simultaneously flexed to disengage the bulbous ends from the anchor and permit full opening of the cabinet door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Richard C. Harmony
  • Patent number: 5419617
    Abstract: A chair is provided which comprises a mounting and latch member which is attached to the the chair arm to form a male assembly section and a female member which is attached to bottom of the seat support structure to provide a female section thereon. The female member has a slot for receiving and holding the mounting member and an attached arm so that the chair arm and the seat support structure are firmly and positively affixed to each other in a manner which also readily permits intentional removal. A resilient latch is resiliently and flexibly joined to the member for engaging the female member in order to prevent the male section from being withdrawn from the slot of the female member until the latch is disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: HON Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig H. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5292158
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for causing an openable member such as a cover or a door of a box or the like to engage with or disengage from a main body as the openable member is pressed, and a latch device for retaining a latch body in the housing in a pushed-in state or in a withdrawn state. The center of rotation of each of a pair of arms of the latch device is formed on substantially the same line as a line of action of a force acting on a retaining surface of each of the arms for retaining a striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventor: Mutsuo Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 5275027
    Abstract: A security device is provided for use on pegboard type hooks. The device includes a housing with a lock mechanism which releasably locks with the tines of a latch to securely grip the rod of the pegboard hook. A simple key-operated camming cylinder is manually operated to release the latch so that merchandise products carried on hook can be removed. The latch can be inserted into the housing and relocked on the hook without using the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Santa Cruz Industries
    Inventors: Thomas E. Eklof, Walter M. Poterbin, Roger L. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 5273328
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for causing an openable member such as a cover or a door of a box or the like to engage with or disengage from a main body as the openable member is pressed, and a latch device for retaining a latch body in the housing in a state in a pushed-in state and in a withdrawn state. The center of rotation of each of a pair of arms of the latch device is formed on substantially the same line as a line of action of a force acting on a retaining surface of each of the arms for retaining a striker. A fitting hole, a guide hole, a slanted guide surface, and a fitting hole are provided to allow a tracing member of the latch device to be fitted from outside the housing at the time of assembling the tracing member to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: NIFCO Inc.
    Inventor: Mutsuo Kurosaki
  • Patent number: 5267760
    Abstract: A locking mechanism comprises a plurality of spring loaded tines disposed around an armature. The armature has a disc mounted thereon the radially outer surface of which is profiled. The armature is coupled to a solenoid which is selectively energized to move the armature. In a locked position the profiled surface of the disc urges the spring loaded tines outwardly into engagement with a locking cup. In an unlocked position the armature moves the disc into a position so that the profiled surface allows the tines to spring inwardly so they can be withdrawn from the locking cup. A spring loaded sleeve is provided which holds the tines and the armature in the unlocked position so that the locking mechanism can re-engage in the event of a power failure to the solenoid. A pin is provided so that the solenoid can be overridden manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventor: Robert N. Carlin
  • Patent number: 5238112
    Abstract: A file box for video cassettes comprising a box, the box having a bottom panel, a rear wall panel, a top panel, a left side end cap, and a right side end cap, and a foam liner for covering inside surfaces of the top, bottom and rear panels. A door panel may be included for closing the opening in the front of the file box, and a latch for latching the door flap to the top panel and for closing the box. The foam liner has fingers which form individual compartments for holding the video cassettes firmly and resiliently in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Pelikan, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Massey, Jeffrey D. Bell, Kenneth E. McDonald, Thomas J. Bush
  • Patent number: 5163505
    Abstract: A heater core is mounted over an opening in a wall of a heater and air conditioner case and secured by a single spring steel strap having a straight portion extending parallel to the tubes of the core and bearing on the header flanges. The strap has terminal hook portions which engage anchor apertures in the web outboard of the core. The apertures have flanged edges for engagement by the hook portions and the strap is manually flexed for engagement or disengagement of the hook portions during installation or removal of the strap so that no tools are required. One embodiment has a hook on one end of the strap and a snap fastener on the other end. Another embodiment has identical hooks on both ends of the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, Frank C. Falzone