Closure Patents (Class 292/198)
  • Publication number: 20120206873
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a base portion with a moveable first latch member. A display portion is moveable relative to the base portion. A first side of the display portion includes a first side latch engagement member and a second side of the display portion includes a second side latch engagement member. The display portion includes a first latch member actuator that is operable, in response to positioning the first side of the display portion adjacent the base portion, to move the first latch member adjacent the first side latch engagement member to resist movement of the display portion relative to the base portion and, in response to positioning the second side of the display portion adjacent the base portion, to move the first latch member adjacent the second side latch engagement member to resist movement of the display portion relative to the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Schwager, Andrew Tosh
  • Patent number: 8235429
    Abstract: A fixing base is suitable to fix an electronic device having a locking hole. The fixing base includes a housing, a driving structure and a cam. The electronic device is suitable to be held in the housing. The driving structure is provided through the housing, and the cam is disposed in the housing. The cam has a hook, and the driving structure is fixedly connected to the cam. When the driving structure drives the cam to rotate, the hook is locked to the locking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Te Yang
  • Publication number: 20120146345
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a base and a latch. A number of fixing holes is defined in the base for receiving supporting posts of different batteries. A first end of the latch is pivotably connected to a side of the base, and a second end opposite to the first end of the latch is detachably engaged with an opposite side of the base. A resilient tab extends downwards from a middle of the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: HAI-QING ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8152208
    Abstract: A panel lock includes a stationary support base adapted to mount to a frame of an article near a panel mounted on the article. The panel lock also includes a panel-movement blocker mounted to the stationary support base to block selectively movement of the panel from a closed position to an opened position at the option of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim R. Varney, Bryan R. Hotaling, John MacNeill
  • Patent number: 8136851
    Abstract: An apparatus and method providing a quick-release latch mechanism for a walled enclosure access door. The latch mechanism includes a striker with one end slidably inserted into the enclosure and the other end located outside the enclosure. A keeper is located within the enclosure and adapted to releasably engage and be captively held by the striker when the access door is in the closed position. If necessary, the access door can be readily unlatched from within the enclosure by manually rotating the keeper away from the enclosure wall to disengage and cause removal of the striker as the access door is being manually pushed open from within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Norman D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8091933
    Abstract: A heavy duty vehicle door latch assembly is provided with interconnected latch, release, and bell crank modules to form a single, pre-assembled unit for quick and easy installation on the inside of a vehicle door. The modular design allows for application to multiple door layouts and arrangements. The release module includes a locking mechanism using a lever rod to disallow latch component movement. A release lever interfaces with the lock lever to automatically unlock and release the latch in a single motion. A lockout feature is also provided to prevent accidental locking of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Trimark Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon L. Hemann, Robert W. Donaldson, Dennis J. Zweibohmer
  • Patent number: 8051691
    Abstract: A lock mechanism is disclosed, the lock mechanism having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane and the rotary latch is retained in the locked position after it has been rotated into the locked position from the unlocked position, the rotary latch being spring biased into the unlocked position by a biasing member; and a first lock mechanism for releasing the rotary latch from the locked position after actuation of the first lock mechanism, the biasing member rotating the rotary latch into the unlocked position, the rotary latch being capable of being manipulated back into the locked position from the unlocked position after release by the first locking mechanism and the first locking mechanism must be reset in order to once again release the rotary latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wind Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Gallo, Steve Sanelli
  • Patent number: 7956304
    Abstract: A combination switch is provided for a high-speed oven, the oven having a door. The combination switch has a rotatable cam (40) that is rotated when the door of the oven is moved between a closed position and an open position. The cam (40) has at least one lobe (50, 52) for engaging at least one safety-switch (44, 46) for actuation by the at least one lobe of the cam as the cam rotates. The at least one safety switch controls operation of at least a portion of the oven. A locking latch (48) is selectively moveable between an engaged position, in which the latch engages the cam (40) to limit rotation of the cam and thereby prevent opening of the door, and a disengaged position, in which the latch (48) does not engage the cam (40) and thereby allows opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Turbochef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Bacigalupe, Michael J. Dobie
  • Publication number: 20110084505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having the locking elements of a lock catch and a pawl and having a lock mechanism, with it being possible for the lock mechanism to be moved into different functional states such as “unlocked”, “locked”, “anti-theft locked” or “child-safety locked” and with the lock mechanism having for this purpose at least one functional element which can be adjusted into corresponding functional positions. It is proposed that at least one functional element is designed as a resiliently elastically bendable wire or strip, and can thereby be bent in a resiliently elastic manner, as a bendable functional element, into different functional positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Simon Brose, Roman Joschko, David Rosales, Stefanic Josip, Abdelali El Hamoumi
  • Publication number: 20100264675
    Abstract: A panel lock includes a stationary support base adapted to mount to a frame of an article near a panel mounted on the article. The panel lock also includes a panel-movement blocker mounted to the stationary support base to block selectively movement of the panel from a closed position to an opened position at the option of a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim R. Varney, Bryan R. Hotaling, John MacNeill
  • Patent number: 7815229
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch unit holding a vehicle door in a closed state, a lift lever operatively connected to the latch unit, an open lever operatively connected to the lift lever, a locking lever switching a locking knob between a locked stated and an unlocked state, the locking lever including a first lever connected to the open lever and a second lever connected to the first lever for relative rotation with a predetermined angle, the second lever operated by a locking actuator, a biasing member disposed between the first lever and the second lever to bias the second lever in a direction of an original position, and an outside lever including an outside handle lever connected to the outside handle and a release lever connected to the lift lever and operated by a release actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Ooe, Yoshitaka Kato, Keisuke Matsumoto, Satoshi Takeno
  • Publication number: 20100235058
    Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, a linkage assembly mechanically linked between the inside handle and the latch assembly, and an actuator interconnected to the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to the open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position or by actuating the inside handle when the vehicle has power. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle by having the inside handle mechanically move the linkage assembly to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position when the vehicle does not have power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20100229609
    Abstract: A lock, in particular for a sliding door (14), with a lock case (24) for receiving a lock cylinder (30), wherein the lock cylinder (30) is arranged in a recess (36) of the lock case (24) in such a manner that, in order to lock the lock (22), a bolt (28) of the lock case (24) can be brought into engagement with a striking plate (26) of the lock (22) by means of a rotationally actuable driver (32) of the lock cylinder (30). According to the invention, the lock (22) has at least one support part (38, 40) which is arranged laterally on the lock case (24) in the region of the recess (36) in order to support the lock cylinder (30). A further particular characteristic relates to the securing of the lock against removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Carsten Bergmann, Dirk Wefer, Peter Altenburg
  • Publication number: 20100235059
    Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, and an actuator engaged with the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to an open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle by having the inside handle mechanically move the toggle lever to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position to when the vehicle does not have power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Venky Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Publication number: 20100235057
    Abstract: A latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly having a catch and a pawl, an actuatable inside handle, and an actuator engaged with the pawl and being configured to be activated by actuation of the inside handle. The catch is configured to be moved to an open position by activating the actuator to thereby move the pawl to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position. The catch is also configured to be moved to the open position after actuation of the inside handle or a toggle lever to stop the pawl from maintaining the catch in the closed position to when the vehicle does not have power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Venky Krishnan
  • Publication number: 20100194120
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure in which a lock interacts with a closing element (10). The lock comprises a stationary, rotationally mounted (14) catch (15) that can be pivoted between an open position (15.1), a preliminary locking position (15.2) and a main locking position (15.3). The lock also comprises a pawl (30) and several sensors (51-53) that monitor various working positions of the lock element. In order to improve the control of the lock, the rotary catch (15) is associated with two separate pawls (20, 30), one of said pawls acting as preliminary catch pawl (20) and only engages with the preliminary catch element (17), whilst the other pawl acts as the main catch pawl (30) and only engages with the main catch element (18). Two sensors (51, 52) are provided, one of which (52) engages directly or indirectly with the main catch pawl (30) and the other (51) engages directly or indirectly with the preliminary catch pawl (20) and monitors the catch engagement position (20.2, 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Hans-Günter Kaiser, Artur Torka
  • Publication number: 20100181781
    Abstract: An apparatus and method providing a quick-release latch mechanism for a walled enclosure access door. The latch mechanism includes a striker with one end slidably inserted into the enclosure and the other end located outside the enclosure. A keeper is located within the enclosure and adapted to releasably engage and be captively held by the striker when the access door is in the closed position. If necessary, the access door can be readily unlatched from within the enclosure by manually rotating the keeper away from the enclosure wall to disengage and cause removal of the striker as the access door is being manually pushed open from within the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Norman D. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100127513
    Abstract: A locking device includes a lock body that includes an engagement groove with or from which the closing-side and opening-side lock receivers are engaged or disengaged, the lock body being variable between a neutral posture in which the closing-side and opening-side lock receivers are allowed to be engaged with or disengaged from the engagement groove; a closing-side locking posture in which the closing-side lock receiver that is engaged with the engagement groove is regulated so as not to be disengaged from the engagement groove; or an opening-side locking posture in which the opening-side lock receiver that is engaged with the engagement groove is regulated so as not to be disengaged from the engagement groove; a holding member and a release operation lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Japan Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Akahane, Teruyuki Yamada, Tomoya Hirano, Yusuke Harayama
  • Publication number: 20100083715
    Abstract: A locking device for flaps, luggage compartment flaps, doors or lids comprising a housing, an actuating handle for unlocking a locking device pivotably arranged on the housing, an actuating lever, the actuating handle being supported on the housing as a rocker; a release wheel arranged pivotably on the housing and connected with the actuating lever to move unlocking rods; a locking bolt which is movable into a locking or a freewheeling position via an actuating element; a first, rotatably mounted driver disk which is rotatable by the release wheel; a second, rotatably mounted driver disk coupled to the first driver disk in order to be carried along by rotation of the first disk, for operating a locking handle connected thereto; freewheel for the actuating handle when the locking device is locked or unlocked, because a reversing lever, which can be actuated by the locking bolt, is arranged pivotably on the housing and is rotatable by the release wheel which forms a freewheel on both sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Winfried PETER
  • Publication number: 20100078944
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door opener unit, comprising a receiving space for a latch of a door lock, a pivot latch with a locking block which locks or releases the latch in a defined manner in a door opening direction, and a latch guide surface along which the latch slides during the opening of the door until exiting from the receiving space. It is provided in accordance with the invention that the locking block of the pivot latch is arranged in a trapezoid manner with respect to its outline and the latch guide surface comprises a recess in which said trapezoid locking block can enter during the opening of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: ASSA ABLOY Sicherheitstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Hirschoff
  • Publication number: 20100052337
    Abstract: A system is provided for latching a door of an automobile. The system includes, but is not limited to, a first power source, second power source, a latch for the door coupled to the first power source and the second power source, and an electronic control unit configured to control an operation of the latch. The electronic control unit is further configured to determine a status of the first power source, evaluate the status of the first power source, and control the operation of the latch with the second power source if the evaluation of the status indicates the first power source is unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, JR., Jeffrey L. Konchan
  • Publication number: 20100013245
    Abstract: An inlet door and actuation mechanism for an auxiliary power unit has an actuation mechanism mounted within a housing. The housing includes a bearing mount for allowing a bearing on the mechanism to adjust angularly as the inlet door pivots. The bearing mount and bearing provides a fireproof enclosure between areas on opposed sides of a wall of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey Carl Brill, Luc Dionne
  • Publication number: 20090267357
    Abstract: A duct detector housing includes a housing cover and a housing body having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas inlet is in fluid communication with a gas conveying duct. The housing body is adapted to have a detector therein and being complementary to the cover to form an interface therebetween. A binary mode securement mechanism for securing the cover to the housing body in either only an open or closed position is provided to overcome the uncertainty with conventional housings as to the integrity of the closure. A process for ensuring a cover is closed against a housing body of a duct detector housing includes placing the cover in complementary contact with a surface of the housing body and engaging the binary mode securement mechanism to provide only binary either positive or completely an open or closed position for the cover relative to the housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: David L. Hall, Peter Stouffer, James E. Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20090235913
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for locking a cooking device door is provided that includes a locking element, a motor for moving the locking element, and a stop in the cooking device door which restricts the movement of the locking element in a locking position. In order to provide a locking apparatus for locking a cooking device door with improved properties in terms of reliability of the lock, the locking apparatus includes a device for detecting a core variable for a movement path covered by the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Götzendorfer, Hans Lappat, Andreas Mayr
  • Publication number: 20090218827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking unit for a first flap, a second flap and a carrier, comprising a locking element which can be housed in a displaceable manner on the first flap and which comprises a tappet, and a driveable actuation device which is used to displace the locking element. In a first position, said locking element couples the first flap to the second flap in order to form a unit, and in a second position, the first flap is released from the second flap, and in an intermediate position, the first flap and the second flap are fixed together in the carrier. An active connection between the tappet of the locking element and the actuation element can be formed in said intermediate position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicants: Edscha AG, SKODA AUTO a.s.
    Inventors: Eddy Meyer, Karl Erben
  • Patent number: 7578531
    Abstract: A lock is described for sliding aluminium door or window panels, wherein are used discrete hooking and locking mechanisms. The hooking mechanism comprises an oblong hook profile (21) which rotates automatically in a hooking or unhooking position into a vertically extending frame profile (1) which bears a respective recession shaping, as the sliding door/window panel is simply pulled in the opening or shutting direction, respectively. The locking mechanism operates so that, when being controlled by the user, it is set in a position for capturing the hooking mechanism in the hooking position, by capturing the immobilisation arm of the above mentioned, otherwise freely and automatically rotating, oblong hook profile (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventor: Athanasios Leontaridis
  • Publication number: 20090146436
    Abstract: An assembly for securing an openable aperture closure member (11) in closed position relative to an aperture defined by a main frame (12), the aperture closure member (11) including a mechanically rotational means (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 (36) and at least one connecting member (37) which operably connects the handle bar (36) to the mechanical means (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 means (24, 44, 54).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: VKR Holdings A/S
    Inventors: Claes Lindgren, Torben Allesen Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20090115198
    Abstract: A simply structured and smoothly operable latch device of a door in which a latch can be infallibly released by operating a handle from any of upper, lower, right, and left sides. The handle (1) having operation parts (1e) at the upper, lower, left, and right inner edges of the front opening part thereof is received in a handle receiving part (14) formed in a door (3) and having an opening in its front surface. The handle (1) can be moved to a non-operating position where the rear surface of the handle abuts on the rear end surface of the handle receiving part (14) or to an operating position where the handle (1) is tilted so that one of the upper and lower edges or one of the left and right edges is nearer to the person operating the handle (1) than the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Okamura Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Kitada, Yutaka Sugihara
  • Patent number: 7513541
    Abstract: A rotary latch mechanism that includes at least one support plate that pivotally supports both a latch fork and a lock cam is disclosed. The lock cam is movable from a first position where the lock cam prevents rotation of the latch fork to a second position where the lock cam does not interfere with the movement of the latch fork. A spring is attached to the latch fork and the lock cam and extends between the latch fork and the lock cam, so that the spring biases the lock cam towards the first position while biasing the latch fork to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Shawn Gregory
  • Publication number: 20090051172
    Abstract: A latch assembly of fire door lock comprises a latch base with a bottom, a latch bolt, a stopper, a resilient member and a linked unit. The latch bolt is retractably pivoted within the latch base and having a blocked surface. The stopper is swayingly pivoted within the latch base and having a blocked protrusion. The resilient member is disposed between the bottom of the latch base and the stopper and contacts against the stopper. The blocked protrusion of the stopper is capable of engaging with the blocked surface of the latch bolt. The linked unit is disposed within the latch base and pivotally connected with the latch bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rick Yu, Fu-Sheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20090044378
    Abstract: A motion restriction device is provided for selectively preventing movement of a structural member. The motion restriction device includes a container abutting against the structural member. The container is at least partially filled with a velocity-dependent material that transitions between a fluid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity below a predetermined threshold to permit movement thereof and a solid-like state when the structural member moves at a velocity above a predetermined threshold to block movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Krystof Peter JANKOWSKI, Ehab KAMAL, Lynn DADEPPO
  • Patent number: 7490874
    Abstract: A lock device is used for a foldable electronic apparatus. The lock device is mounted on a display unit of the electronic apparatus. The lock device includes a rotatable bolt, an actuator, and an elastic bolt holder. The rotatable bolt is rotatably mounted on the display unit and includes two latch tenons. The elastic bolt holder connects the actuator and the rotatable bolt and keeps the rotatable bolt at a first direction. Movement of the actuator causes the rotatable bolt to rotate from the first direction to a second direction. The lock device can couples with a notch successfully even assemble error exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wu-Yung Chen
  • Publication number: 20090033105
    Abstract: The present invention is a dual door release handle and related mechanisms for use with cabs of industrial vehicles that an operator may reach from outside of such a cab in order to fully release a door that has been propped open in order to close it. The dual door release handle of the present invention includes a latching mechanism having a handle mounted on the inside of the cab that extends into the doorway such that it may be reached through the open door of the cab by an operator who is located outside and/or below the cab. A linkage is provided between this handle and an operable device associated with the release mechanism inside the cab. The linkage is operatively attached to the handle and to the release mechanism such that turning the handle causes the linkage to move the release mechanism. Movement of the handle pulls the linkage and releases the holdback holding the open door against the side of the cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Antonetti
  • Publication number: 20080290668
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for opening and closing a vehicle door that is exceptionally durable and performs indications so that a person can reliably recognize a locked or unlocked state of a vehicle door. The apparatus for opening and closing a vehicle door comprises control means for recognizing the intention of a person to lock or unlock a vehicle door 6 and controlling the locking or unlocking of the vehicle door 6. The apparatus is characterized in comprising a door handle 2 with which the vehicle door 6 is opened or closed; an operation detector 3 provided to the door handle 2 in order to detect a state of the door handle 2 as operated by the person; an ornamental light part 40 that is provided so as to enclose a periphery of the operation detector 3, and is visible from the exterior of the door handle 2 during actuation of the operation sensor 3 by the person; and a light-emitting part 4 for illuminating the ornamental light part 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ieda, Takeshi Ito
  • Publication number: 20080284180
    Abstract: A child safety gate assembly for fitting across a staircase, passageway or the like includes a frame having at least one upstanding limb, pivotally connected to which is a gate carrying a latch assembly. The latch assembly is pivotally mounted on the gate and includes a latch member, a release member and an actuating member. The latch member is pivotally mounted on the gate and includes a movable latching portion. The latch member is movable, when the gate is closed, between a latched position, in which the movable latching portion is in engagement with a stationary latching portion and pivotal movement of the gate is prevented, and an unlatched position, in which the movable and stationary latching portions are not in engagement and pivotal movement of the gate is permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: BETTACARE LIMITED
    Inventor: Vaughan Stephen Newcombe
  • Publication number: 20080217928
    Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a latch bolt moveable between an open position, a first safety position and a closed position. The latch mechanism further includes a power closure system operable to move the latch bolt from the first safety position to the closed position. The power closure system has a transmission path including a drive lever rotatable about a drive lever axis and being engageable with a drive surface of a further transmission path component. The transmission path is operable to connect a power actuator to the latch bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Nigel Spurr
  • Publication number: 20080210823
    Abstract: A control device for locking and unlocking a door includes a handle (46) whose movement makes it possible to control the change of state of the locking or unlocking of the door, a hinged flap (54) that can move between a closed position and an open position in which it makes it possible to grip the handle, elements for locking and unlocking the handle that are able to occupy two states, a first locked state in which the handle is immobilized and a second unlocked state in which the handle can be maneuvered, and a stop (64) that makes it possible to control the movement of the hinged flap (54), during the change of state of the locking and unlocking elements, wherein the stop is elastically deformable so as to be able to be deformed by the hinged flap during the change of state of the locking and unlocking elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Airbus France
    Inventors: Alexandra Toboso, Christian Costecalde
  • Publication number: 20080136195
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch unit holding a vehicle door in a closed state, a lift lever operatively connected to the latch unit, an open lever operatively connected to the lift lever, a locking lever switching a locking knob between a locked stated and an unlocked state, the locking lever including a first lever connected to the open lever and a second lever connected to the first lever for relative rotation with a predetermined angle, the second lever operated by a locking actuator, a biasing member disposed between the first lever and the second lever to bias the second lever in a direction of an original position, and an outside lever including an outside handle lever connected to the outside handle and a release lever connected to the lift lever and operated by a release actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kouji Ooe, Yoshitaka Kato, Keisuke Matsumoto, Satoshi Takeno
  • Patent number: 7140649
    Abstract: A rotary latch mechanism that includes at least one support plate that pivotally supports both a latch fork and a lock cam is disclosed. The lock cam is movable from a first position where the lock cam prevents rotation of the latch fork to a second position where the lock cam does not interfere with the movement of the latch fork. A spring is attached to the latch fork and the lock cam and extends between the latch fork and the lock cam, so that the spring biases the lock cam towards the first position while biasing the latch fork to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tuffy Security Products
    Inventor: Shawn Gregory
  • Patent number: 7140211
    Abstract: This invention relates to a security system aimed at closing and locking a cover of an opening of a tank trailer to avoid any tampering of its content and to prove that the content of the tank has not been tampered. The security system comprises a locking member movable between a lock position to prevent the opening of the cover, and an unlock position to allow the opening of the cover. The invention also comprises an actuating device mounted to the tank trailer operatively connected to the locking member for moving it between the lock and the unlock positions. A sealing mechanism engages the actuating device when the locking member is in the lock position to prevent any movement of the locking member. The sealing mechanism comprises a breakable indicator which is broken upon disengagement from the actuating device, thereby indicating that the openable cover has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Tremcar Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Tremblay
  • Patent number: 7126066
    Abstract: A push button actuator unit has a housing which defines a through passage that extends along an axis of the housing, and a slot that extends in a plane which transversely intersects the axis and communicates with the passage for supporting in the housing-defined slot a disc-shaped member having a central opening that aligns with the passage. Movable in the aligned passage and opening is a push button sub-assembly of the unit which includes a front element that, when depressed rearwardly, may cause a rear element of the push button sub-assembly to extend rearwardly from the housing to release a latch or to operate a switch or the like. If the unit is to be lockable, an optional locking mechanism is added to the elements of the push button sub-assembly to selectively drivingly connect the front and rear elements so that depression of the front element will cause rearward extension of the rear element only when the unit is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Baltazar S. Corcino, Brian M. Ott
  • Patent number: 7040673
    Abstract: An oven lock mechanism has a latch that is moved between an unlatched and a latched position in response to movement of the door from an open to a closed position and a motor that turns a cam acting as a blocker to block the latch in the latched position when a cleaning cycle is initiated. The rotation of the cam also induces movement of the latch to cause the latch to pull the door in closer to the frame of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steve W. Smock, Harry I. Courter, Greg Wright, Tracy J. Talley
  • Patent number: 7036853
    Abstract: An oven lock mechanism has a latch that is moved between an unlatched and a latched position in response to movement of the door from an open to a closed position and a motor that turns a cam acting as a blocker to block the latch in the latched position when a cleaning cycle is initiated. The rotation of the cam also induces movement of the latch to cause the latch to pull the door in closer to the frame of the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Steve W. Smock, Harry I. Courter, Greg Wright, Tracy J. Talley
  • Patent number: 7032985
    Abstract: A heart cam and damper unit includes a base member having fixed cylindrical portions and a stopper portion, a rotating member having a movable cylindrical portion which is rotatably assembled to the fixed cylindrical portion with a viscous fluid interposed between the movable cylindrical portion and the fixed cylindrical portions, and a pinion gear rotating integrally with the movable cylindrical portion, a heart cam member rotatable fitted around an outer periphery of an outwardly located one of the fixed cylindrical portion and the movable cylindrical portion, and a device interposed between the base member and the heart cam member and adapted to rotatably urge the heart cam member toward the stopper portion. The heart cam and damper unit is interposed between a main body portion and a movable portion which undergoes opening and closing action with respect to the main body portion and is constantly urged in an opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ichioka, Takeo Mitsueda, Takaki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7000956
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch bolt, a retaining member and an actuator. The latch bolt is moveable between a closed position at which it is capable of retaining a striker and an open position at which the striker is released. The retaining member is moveable between a retained position at which it retains the latch bolt in at least its closed position and released position at which the latch bolt can move between its opened and closed positions. The actuator is capable of moving the retaining means from its engaged position to its released position, in which, under normal operating conditions of the latch, the actuator is the sole means of releasing the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Sidney Edward Fisher
  • Patent number: 6755449
    Abstract: A locking system for toolboxes, industrial cabinets and the like includes a push button operator assembly connected by at least one movable link to at least one latch mechanism configured to latchingly engage an associated striker to releasably retain a first structure (such as a closure) on which the striker is mounted in a closed position relative to a second structure (such as a cabinet) on which the locking system is mounted. The push button operator assembly has a button that, when unlocked, can be depressed to move the associated link to unlatch the latch mechanism from the striker, and that, when locked, is inoperable when depressed to move the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Lee S. Weinerman, Scott A. Arthurs, Arthur J. Kuminski, Leslie A. Farkas, Robin T. Green
  • Patent number: 6390518
    Abstract: A mechanism for use in latching a pivotable access door of a cabinet includes a latch housing within which is rotatably mounted a catch member between latching and unlatching positions upon a carrier which, in turn, is rotatably supported in the latch housing. The carrier is biased into engagement with a cam pin which acts as a pivot stop for the carrier. A cross pin extends through a pair of laterally spaced slots formed in the latch housing and terminal ends of the cross pin are adapted to depress electronic switches through movement of the carrier when the latching mechanism assumes the latched position. The catch member is rotated to the latching position upon engagement with a latch striker and can be rotated to release the latch striker, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, either through the use of a handle or upon tugging on the access door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Elick
  • Patent number: 6296286
    Abstract: A latch is mounted in an aperture in a door, panel or the like by first and second retaining members. The first retaining member limits rotational movement of the latch and the second retaining member limits axial movement of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Gläser, Thomas Weuthen
  • Publication number: 20010011826
    Abstract: A latch is mounted in an aperture in a door, panel or the like by first and second retaining members. The first retaining member limits rotational movement of the latch and the second retaining member limits axial movement of the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: GERALD GLASER, J. THOMAS WEUTHEN
  • Patent number: 6155616
    Abstract: A locking mechanism and closure assembly are provided including a housing, a latch rotatably mounted to the housing, a spring member for urging the latch from a first position toward a second position, and a control member mounted to the housing for selectively securing the latch against rotation from the first position toward the second position. The control member may be slidably mounted relative to the housing, and may selectively rotate the latch from the first position toward the second position upon failure of the spring member. The latch may be positionable in a third position between the first and second positions, and may have a recess for receiving a striker designed for holding the striker within the recess at some times and guiding the striker into or out of the recess at other times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Randall C. Hansen
    Inventor: Michael V. Akright