Miscellaneous Patents (Class 292/1)
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Publication number: 20040140675Abstract: A lock mechanism includes a cam provided on one of a base member and a movable member and having a swing groove around a roughly heart-shaped projecting portion; a swing member pivotally provided on the other of the base member and the movable member and having a pin for tracing along the swing groove; and an auxiliary device provided on a side where the cam is disposed for contacting and separating from the swing member to restrict an unnecessary movement of the swing member while the pin is tracing the swing groove. In the lock mechanism, when the movable member is pushed against a force of an urging device, the movable member is locked at the first position through the swing groove and the pin. When the movable member is pushed again, the movable member is released and switched from the first position to the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2003Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: NIFCO INC.Inventor: Mitsuru Kogami
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Patent number: 6722709Abstract: A cover holder includes a handle including an engagement structure configured and dimensioned for engaging a container structure formed on a container. The engagement structure extends from a portion of the handle for detachably fitting the container structure. The handle includes anchor portions each having a plurality of holes for receiving at least one flexible tension member to connect the flexible tension member to the handle. The plurality of holes are arranged to permit the at least one flexible tension member to develop a frictional force to prevent pull out of the flexible tension member from the anchor portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: James Bergdoll
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Patent number: 6698807Abstract: A latch guard for covering a door latch opening in a door jamb. Covering the door latch opening in a door jamb enables a door to be opened easily without requiring opening of a door knob. The latch guard contains a C-shaped piece attached to a rectangular piece. The C-shaped piece fits into the door latch opening in a door jamb. The rectangular piece serves as a backing to the C-shaped piece, and the rectangular piece lies flat against a door jamb when the latch guard is installed in a door latch opening in a door jamb. The latch guard is easily installable and removable.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Bruce W. Wacker
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Patent number: 6669241Abstract: A door latch opening system for providing efficient and convenient opening of a door latch. The door latch opening system includes an engaging member have a broad engaging area, a receiver member attached to the rear portion of the engaging member, and a coupler member attached within the receiver member. The coupler member has a coupler slot that snugly fits about the door latch handle effectively securing the engaging member to the door latch handle.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventor: Drew Kelley
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Publication number: 20030230900Abstract: A cover holder includes a handle including an engagement structure configured and dimensioned for engaging a container structure formed on a container. The engagement structure extends from a portion of the handle for detachably fitting the container structure. The handle includes anchor portions each having a plurality of holes for receiving at least one flexible tension member to connect the flexible tension member to the handle. The plurality of holes are arranged to permit the at least one flexible tension member to develop a frictional force to prevent pull out of the flexible tension member from the anchor portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventor: James Bergdoll
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Patent number: 6655108Abstract: A storm door has first and second elongated, partly curved lock receiving openings formed in respective elongated edges. Each opening is filled in part with a molded hollow insert with an external periphery which matches a periphery of the respective opening. A lock mechanism has a housing with an external periphery that matches, at least in part, an internal periphery of a respective insert. An actuating port in the housing has a central axis, which extends parallel to the respective edge, through the door through which extends a rotatable actuating shaft. An external handle can be attached to the shaft. An unused insert can be closed with a slidably engaging cover.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Larson Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Oscar Dale Larson, Allen E. Lee, Bryan P. Zacher, Bruce E. Thomas
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Publication number: 20030214790Abstract: A latch for retaining moving parts on an enclosure service module (ESM) is provided. This latch comprises a retaining groove in the latch that holds a self-clinching standoff fastener attached to the ESM. A return spring is contained within a molded cavity in the latch, and an alignment groove in the latch is placed at one end of the return spring. The alignment groove guides an alignment pin on the ESM into a secure position, and the return spring applies pressure against the pin while the pin is in the alignment groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2002Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: George E. Hanson
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Patent number: 6631930Abstract: A lock component comprises a mounting plate (50). An intermediate resilient element (56) is mounted on the plate and has a peg (59) engaging a recess (53) on the plate to prevent rotation of the intermediate element. The intermediate element presents a collar (60) and projection (61) having an outer periphery configured to snugly engage an aperture (64) in an arm (62) which carries a lockable element (68). A connecting element (74) has a shaft (76) passing through a central aperture in the intermediate element (56), thus also extending through the aperture (64) in the arm (62). The shaft is connected to an aperture (55) formed in the mounting plate (50). The lockable element (68) has at least one degree of freedom of movement, which may be a rotational movement about the axis of the connecting element (74), or which may be a lateral movement. When the lockable element (68) is engaged within the locking arrangement, the intermediate element (56) is deformed.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Autoliv DevelopmentInventor: Lennart Haglund
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Patent number: 6578446Abstract: A bell crank assembly is mounted on an automotive door module of a vehicle that includes a panel. The panel supports a door latch assembly that includes a lock mechanism that is operated by a sill button and rod inside the vehicle that is located on the inner or dry side of the panel and moveable vertically with respect to the panel. The lock mechanism is operated by the sill button and rod via a generally horizontal rod that is located on the exterior or wet side of panel. The bell crank assembly connects the sill button rod to the exterior rod through an extruded hole in the panel. The bell crank assembly includes an inboard lever and an outboard lever. The inboard lever has an input end that is attached to the sill button rod and an output end. The output end has a round boss that fits in the extruded hole of the panel with a running fit to provide an axle for pivoting bell crank assembly with respect to panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian H. Staser, Mark A. Vickery
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Patent number: 6557914Abstract: A doorjamb strengthening device comprising an interior metal plate (1), a primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member (5), an aperture (11), a secondary cylindrical reinforcing member (6), an exterior metal plate (2), a primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member (9), and a secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member (10). Interior metal plate is fastened to exterior metal plate by means of an interference fit between primary interior cylindrical reinforcing member and primary exterior cylindrical reinforcing member and secondary interior cylindrical connecting member and secondary exterior cylindrical connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Inventors: Scott Kenneth Hamilton, Michelle Scott Hamilton
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Patent number: 6536815Abstract: A tamper evident cargo seal to securely close a cargo container having a pair of doors and at least two spaced apart lock rods, the tamper evident cargo seal including a pair of retention assemblies disposed in engaging relation with the lock rods on opposite sides of a perimeter edge of the door and a cross brace including a generally elongate, rigid construction which is cooperatively associated with the retention assemblies so as to maintain the seal in engagement with the lock rods and prevent removal therefrom, and so as to secure the cross brace in closing relation across the perimeter edge of the door. A lock assembly is provided to secure the cross brace with the retention assemblies, to the container, and at least the cross brace includes a continuous surface pattern defined thereon which is structured to visibly indicate a severing of the cross brace therethrough and a subsequent re-attachment.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Inventor: Jeffrey Howard Liroff
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Publication number: 20030015878Abstract: A vehicle door latch operably connected to a manually operable element selectively operable to disable a transmission path between the vehicle door latch and an internal door release means thereby to prevent release of the vehicle door latch by the internal door release means, wherein the manually operable element comprises means of illumination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventor: Sidney Edward Fisher
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Patent number: 6502873Abstract: A retrofit door latch attachment comprises a lever mounted pivotally to the convex surface of the hand grip of a push-button door latch. The lever has a first upper end aligned with push button actuator and a second lower end for ready access by children and the disabled. The lever does not impede normal use of the push button actuator. Preferably, a countersunk fastener is placed through aligned holes formed through both the lever and grip. More preferably, a recess or cup is formed in the first end of the lever for limiting relative side-to-side movement of the lever and actuator. A flexible boot, preferably added to the lever's upper end, envelopes the top of the actuator and excludes moisture-bearing weather and avoids freeze up in cold climates.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Inventor: John Horseman
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Patent number: 6471266Abstract: A door latch cover for automotive vehicle, the door latch cover fixedly arranged to encompass a door latch connected by a door lock actuator to be locked and to be unlocked and so constructed as to prevent the door latch from being actuated from outside through a door glass and a weather strip, wherein the door latch cover is integrally formed with an extended for blocking an upper part of the door lock actuator and for preventing the door lock actuator from being actuated from outside, such that once a door is locked, the door latch and the door lock actuator are prevented from being forcibly unlocked from outside by odd object such as steel ruler or the like, thereby blocking an unlocking of the door and reducing the number of assembly process at the door latch assembly as well.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Bong-Chu Yi
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Publication number: 20020149207Abstract: A vehicle door latch including a light emitting source. The light emitting source may be positioned on a surface of the latch which surface faces substantially rearward in use. The light emitting source may be a light emitting diode and may emit a red or white light. A door ajar switch may be incorporated into the latch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventor: Adrian Bromhall
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Patent number: 6443505Abstract: A latch assembly that comprises a housing, a plug or actuator, and an engagement arm wherein the actuator is rotatably held within the housing and the engagement arm is mounted to the actuator, and wherein the actuator and engagement arm may be assembled in several orientations relative to the housing. Each different assemblage provides for a different range and direction of operation. As a result, the latch of the present invention can operate as a quarter-turn latch or a half-turn-latch. As a quarter-turn latch, the latch may be operated in any one of the four 90° quadrants around the axis of rotation, and it may operate in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. As a half-turn latch, the latch may likewise be operated in either one of the two 180° halves of a full circle around the axis of rotation, and it may operate in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: S.P.E.P. Acquisitions, Inc.Inventors: Rodolfo A. Linares, George N. Alvarado
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Patent number: 6443508Abstract: A device for interlocking two disc-like parts (2, 3) comprises a locking element (4), which presents first locking means (5) for fixing the locking element to a first one (3) of the parts, and second locking means (6) for fixing the second one (3) of the parts in relation to the locking element, and thereby in relation to the first part (2) as the latter and the locking element are interconnected. The first locking means (5) of the locking element and the first part (2) comprise a first set of first and second locking members (6′, 7) engaging each other. These first and second locking members are designed as a projection (6′) and a recess (7), respectively. These are mobile into engagement with each other in a direction (R1) which forms an angle that is preferably generally perpendicular in relation to the plane (3) of the first part (2).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Nefab ABInventor: Hans Persson
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Patent number: 6422618Abstract: An apparatus is provided for locking and unlocking a camper shell from the inside. The device can be purchased as an inexpensive after market part and easily and quickly installed without the need for expensive tooling. The device includes a handle having proximal and distal ends and fashioned with a lateral bore at its proximal end for connecting with a torsion bar already existing on the latching mechanism of the camper shell. The distal end of the handle includes a cam, pivotally connected thereto, which can move between a position which in which the cam is generally flush with the handle and other positions in which the cam extends laterally from the handle. A cam lock is provided to engage the cam and hold it in one or more selected positions, the positions providing corresponding amounts of lateral extension from the handle. The when extended, the cam prevents the handle from being turned, thereby preventing the camper shell from being opened.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Inventors: David Guldner, Efrain Quiles
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Patent number: 6375234Abstract: A latch is mounted between the inside and outside of a motor-vehicle door provided with a plurality of actuating elements and respective links extending from the elements and each having a respective movable part. The latch has latching and locking mechanism, a closed housing enclosing the mechanism and formed with a respective openings receiving free ends of the links, and seals in the openings engaged hermetically around the link free ends. The free ends are connected inside the housing to the mechanism. The housing includes a pair of housing parts that are hermetically joined to each other and the mechanism includes locking and latching elements received in the respective parts. The holes are all formed in one of the parts.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Kiekert AGInventors: Horst Brackmann, Frank Kleefeldt, Volker Westerwick
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Patent number: 6371533Abstract: A pop-up mechanism is formed of a base body, at least one pair of flip-flop members, each being rotatably linked to the base body at one end, and an ascending and descending member rotatably attached to the flip-flop members at the other ends. The flip-flop members have a folded state where the flip-flop members are substantially located close to the base body, and a pop-up state where the flip-flop members are turned upwardly. An urging member is attached to at least one of the flip-flop members for urging the one flip-flop member in the pop-up state, and a locking device is formed for locking the flip-flop members in the folded state. In the pop-up mechanism, at least one strut with a predetermined height is placed on an upper surface of the base body and/or a lower surface of the ascending and descending body.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Nifco Inc.Inventor: Goro Asami
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Publication number: 20020041101Abstract: There is provided a device (10) for opening a security screen (12) locked by a latch member (130). The device (10) comprising telescopically extending members (14,16,18) having a striking member (40), the striking member (40) being contactable with the latch member (130) in use to release the latch member (130) when the telescopically extending members are in an extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventor: Thomas Anthony Carey
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Patent number: 6357805Abstract: A device is provided for unlatching a door which is latched into a door frame where the door latch assembly includes an elongate lever arm rotatable about an axis from a first latched orientation to second unlatched orientation. The device includes a cable having a first end attachable to the distal end of the lever arm and a second end attached to a take up spool. The take up spool is rotated by a motor in a first direction to take up the cable and thereby draw the lever arm from the first latched orientation to the second unlatched orientation and thereafter rotate in the second direction to release the cable and allow the lever arm to return from the second unlatched orientation to the first latched orientation.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1999Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Inventor: Thomas J. Hebda
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Publication number: 20020027364Abstract: A child-safety door locking system for an automobile door has a shield movable relative to the interior door panel of the door between a retracted inoperative position corresponding to a normal lock mode and an extended operative position corresponding to a guard lock mode. In the inoperative position the shield is withdrawn from the manual lock actuator of the door whereby in the locked position the manual lock actuator may be manually grasped and moved to its unlocked position. In the operative position the shield occupies a position relative to the door panel and manual lock actuator so that the manual lock actuator is shielded in its locked position to block access to the manual lock actuator for manual movement to its unlocked position. The lock actuator is otherwise moveable to its unlocked position when the shield is in its operative position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventor: Earl M. Trammel
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Publication number: 20020003349Abstract: A lock component comprises a mounting plate (50) with apertures (51, 52) to receive screws to secure the plate in position. An intermediate resilient element (56) is mounted on the plate and has a peg (59) engaging a recess (53) on the plate to prevent rotation of the intermediate element. The intermediate element presents a collar (60) and projection (61) having an outer periphery configured to snugly engage an aperture (64) in an arm (62) which carries a lockable element (68). A connecting element (74) has a shaft (76) passing through a central aperture in the intermediate element (56), thus also extending through the aperture (64) in the arm (62). The shaft is connected to an aperture (55) formed in the mounting plate (50). The lockable element (68) has at least one degree of freedom of movement, which may be a rotational movement about the axis of the connecting element (74), or which may be a lateral movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventor: Lennart Haglund
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Patent number: 6334635Abstract: A latch bolt mechanism of a tubular lock allows adjustment in backset by using an extension casing. The latch bolt mechanism has a latch bolt housing having a latch bolt mounted therein, the latch bolt being movable beyond a face plate or retracted into the face plate. Two plates are connected together and mounted to an inner end of the latch bolt. The plates includes aligned two first positioning holes, aligned second positioning hole, and aligned openings. An actuating plate is mounted between the plates and includes an end operably connected to the latch bolt. The other end of the actuating plate includes two teeth each having a block formed thereon. The blocks are pressed against by a follower plate that also includes two teeth. When either tooth of the actuating plate or the follower plate is pressed against by a spindle of the lockset, the latch bolt is retracted. An extension casing is mounted around the plates and movable toward or away from the latch bolt housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chao Ming Huang
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Publication number: 20010026071Abstract: A trim attachment and method comprises a door lever/knob which is assembled to a spindle housing of a lock assembly by sliding the door lever/knob over the spindle. A retaining mechanism within the door lever/knob automatically engages the spindle to couple the door lever/knob to the spindle when the door lever/knob is properly positioned on the spindle. The spindle and door lever/knob have mating exterior and interior ribs providing torque transfer between the spindle and door lever/knob. An aperture is provided in the door lever/knob to depress a portion of the retaining mechanism to release the retaining mechanism, allowing the door lever/knob to be removed. The improved knob/lever trim attachment and methods provide an easily assembled and manufactured, aesthetically pleasing, and easily replaceable assembly for a door lock assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Inventors: Vincent Michael Kemp, Domitillia L. Skeels (nee Mora), Ronald G. Stone
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Patent number: 6286793Abstract: In a pop-up structure of the invention, an elevatable member is rotatably disposed on upper portions of a pair of front and rear poles, which is also rotatably provided on a base member. Shielding plates extend between the front and rear poles on both sides thereof. In case the elevatable member is elevated by rotating both poles, even if an elevating height of the elevatable member is high, at least a part of the space formed between the front and rear poles is covered by the shielding plates at the both sides. Therefore, the appearance at the popped-up state of the pop-up structure is improved, and there is no risk of catching foreign materials by the poles or the like when it is collapsed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignees: Nifco Inc., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.Inventors: Tsugio Hirose, Toshihiro Hara, Mutsuhisa Masaki, Tohru Sambonmatsu
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Publication number: 20010010426Abstract: A supporting and sliding system for a piece of furniture door comprises a supporting and sliding assembly (13) to be fastened to the door for running, by means of a grooved wheel thereof (16), on a rail (14) which is designed to be secured to the piece of furniture. Present along the rail (14) is an undercut (17) under which a locking end (18) of a constraint element (19) projecting from the sliding assembly is positioned, which constraint element prevents the wheel from lifting from the rail to such an extent that derailment of the wheel from the rail should be caused. Advantageously, the constraint element (19) is of a resilient type and an operating lever (22) enables it to be moved away from its locking position when the assembly (13) is required to be removed from the rail (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2001Publication date: August 2, 2001Applicant: Agostino Ferrari S.p.A.Inventor: Carlo Migli
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Patent number: 6164098Abstract: A cabinet locking system for a frameless glass door. The system includes a strike/pull mounted on the door and a lock mounted on the cabinet. The strike/pull clamps about the edge of the glass door and includes a lock strike on the cabinet-interior side and a pull on the cabinet-exterior side. The lock mounted on the cabinet frame includes a throw cooperating with the strike/pull. In the locked position, the lock throw cooperates with the strike of the strike/pull to lock the door in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Howard Miller Clock CompanyInventor: Jack L. Hommes
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Patent number: 6158789Abstract: An anti-theft protection device for a motor vehicle. In an exemplary application, the anti-theft protection device for a motor vehicle includes a passenger door watershield having a pass-through slit formed therein and an anti-theft sleeve located proximate thereto which encloses and protects the passenger door link rods.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Cadillac Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Fett, Donald J. Ford, Donald R. Harding, Trevor R. Bender, Sharon Spangler
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Patent number: 6131965Abstract: A door locking system for child-safety door locking systems on an automobile door including a latch and a door lock mechanism. The door handle is incapable of unlatching the door when the locking mechanism locks the latch. The locking system includes a door panel having an opening for receiving a lock button mounted on a lock rod connected to the locking mechanism and movable between locked and unlocked positions. A shield is movable within the opening relative to the lock button and door panel between a retracted inoperative position corresponding to a normal lock mode in which the shield is recessed in the opening for accessing the lock button for moving the lock button between its locked and unlocked positions, and an extended operative position corresponding to a guard lock mode in which the shield extends outward of the opening to shield the lock button in its locked position to prevent access to the lock button for manual movement to its unlocked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Inventor: Earl M. Trammell, Jr.
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Patent number: 6082790Abstract: A door anti-locking device for preventing a door lock bolt engaging a strike plate in the door frame to prevent locking of the door. The door anti-locking device includes a cover plate having inwards and outwards faces, a pair of ends and a pair of sides extending between the ends of the cover plate. The cover plate has a pivot hole extending therethrough between the faces of the cover plate. The pivot hole is positioned towards a first of the ends of the cover plate. The pivot hole is designed for extending a threaded fastener therethrough an into a strike plate to pivotally couple the cover plate to the strike plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1999Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Inventors: John F. Mossotti, Daniel W. Nicolini
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Patent number: 6068304Abstract: An espagnolette edge bar assembly for use in a latch assembly. The espagnolette edge bar assembly includes an espagnolette edge bar lock housing mounting means (14) attached to the espagnolette edge bar, and an espagnolette rod connector associated with the lock housing mounting means. The espagnolette rod connector is arranged for displacement along the espagnolette edge bar.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Fix ABInventor: Per Olof Lindqvist
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Patent number: 6047998Abstract: A locking device is disclosed which substantially restricts access to the cassettes or drawers within a vault or safe, including an ATM or ABM, and also restricts access to the cassette rack of the ATM/ABM, both resident within the vault or safe of an ATM/ABM. The blocking member restricts access to the cassettes or drawers and the cassette rack is mounted on a pair of supporting pins on a mounting bracket attached to the interior of a vault or safe, including an ATM/ABM. The blocking member may be removed from the supporting pins only after unlocking and withdrawal of a lock bolt from a strike hole in the mounting bracket. The blocking member must be lifted off the support pins and laid aside and later re-installed. By extending the bolt into the strike hole of the mounting bracket, the only available degree of freedom is eliminated preventing removal of the blocking member from the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1998Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Mas-Hamilton Group, Inc.Inventors: Edward E. Pollard, David B. Frodge
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Patent number: 5988712Abstract: An anti-theft device is constituted by an elongated rod of a width less than the gap between a window glass pane and a facing inner edge of a window sill for an automobile door interior panel. A shield plate is fixed to and extends radially outward to one side of the rod at a distal end, and a wedge is fixed to and extends alongside the rod adjacent the proximate end, with the wedge having a thickness greater than the width of the gap and tapering over its length to a tapered leading edge facing the trailing edge of the shield plate. By inserting the shield plate into the interior of the door within the gap and twisting the rod about the axis, the wedge is forced into frictional locking position between the inside of the window glass pane and the window sill, with the shield plate covering the door mechanism actuating lever.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Worldwide Jimmy Block, LLC.Inventor: William Robert Segelin
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Patent number: 5984385Abstract: A damped latch mechanism 116 is provided for a telescoping structure 10 including an inner tubular member 114 slidingly received within an outer tubular member 112. A first latch member 122 is coupled within the one tubular member 114 and a second latch member 126 is coupled to the other tubular member 114 so as to selectively interfere with the first latch member 122 to prevent the inner tubular member 114 from moving in an axial first direction relative to the outer tubular member 112. A fluid chamber 134 is provided on one of the first and second latch members 122, 126 opposite the other of the first and second latch members 122, 126. A magneto-rheological fluid 136 is disposed within the fluid chamber 134 to absorb shock between the first and second latch members 122, 126.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Emil A. Shtarkman, L. Dwight Gilger
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Patent number: 5984380Abstract: A tether assembly for tethering an object, which tether assembly includes a cable having opposite ends and a connector attached to one of the opposite ends, and a retaining block for securing the cable to a support. The retaining block includes two parallel through-bores which extend through the retaining block and are provided for receiving the cable. The retaining block also includes a stepped bore which has a threaded portion and a non-threaded terminal portion. The non-threaded terminal portion of the stepped bore has a cylindrical portion which terminates at a common intersection with each of the two parallel through-bores, and a tapered end. A spherical element is positionable in the non-threaded portion of the stepped bore. In use, the retaining block is secured to a support structure and the connector is connected to an object to be tethered.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1996Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Access Denied, Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Rice
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Patent number: 5934718Abstract: An entertainment cabinet door locking apparatus is provided including a front extent having a planar configuration with a front face, a rear face, and a periphery formed therebetween. Also included is a rear extent including at least one plate coupled at a top edge thereof to a top edge of the front extent in parallel relationship therewith.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Inventor: Timothy J. La Valle
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Patent number: 5934715Abstract: A safety device, of the anti-false maneuver type, capable of impeding the actuation of a locking fitting upon opening of a leaf of a door, window or the like, this safety device including, on the one hand, a support in the shape of a casing capable of being inserted against a face-plate and, on the other hand, a locking finger passing through this latter, under the action of springy restoration means, with a view to locking an actuating rod in translation, this when the door or window is open. In particular, the casing defined by the support and serving as a housing for the locking finger includes, at the level of each of its opposite sides parallel to the plane of the leaf on which it is fitted, an opening serving for the passing through of the connecting lug which is capable of being fitted onto the locking finger with a view to actuating same under the action of an actuating lug extending.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Ferco International, Ferrures et Serrures de BatimentInventors: Gerard Prevot, Richard Strassel
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Patent number: 5918915Abstract: A locking device for a set of double sliding doors comprising two U-shaped clips and a flexible band operatively engaging both clips. The locking device is designed to prevent the relative movement of double sliding doors which comprise an interior door and an exterior door, with the interior door sliding in an interior track and the exterior door sliding in an exterior track. The interior and exterior tracks are parallel to each other. In a closed position, an inside vertical stile of the interior door is adjacent to, and which overlaps an inside vertical stile of the exterior door defining a space between the interior and exterior doors. A U-shaped clip is secured to the inside stile of each sliding door. The flexible band is secured at its first end to the U-shaped clip secured to the inside stile of the interior door and then traverses through the space between the interior and exterior doors to the inside stile of the exterior door.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Inventor: Kenneth J. Calteux
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Patent number: 5845947Abstract: The invention relates to a molded plastic lever for a door latch, and more particularly, provides a serviceable retainer bushing for connecting an operating rod to the lever.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1995Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Danielle Elizabeth Arabia
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Patent number: 5820173Abstract: A lock mechanism is provided which may actuate both a deadbolt and flush bolts in response to a single lock movement. The mechanism includes a dual element bolt throw and flush bolt actuator, which locks in place in the extended position if the end of the bolt is pressed inwardly. The throw includes a transfer mechanism which transposes the horizontal movement of the bolt to vertical movement at the flush bolts. The flush bolts also include a mechanism to limit retraction thereof if the extending ends of the flush bolt is exposed to inward directed force. The entire lock mechanism may be actuated by a standard cylindrical lockset having actuating jaws extending therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Inventor: Mark Weston Fuller
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Patent number: 5765882Abstract: An automobile decklid pop-up bumper for assembly with an apertured workpiece, such as the framework of an automobile engine compartment having an aperture and a helical internal marginal portion defined around the aperture, includes a housing with an enlarged end portion for engaging the automobile hood and a shank portion extending from the enlarged end portion adapted to be received through the aperture. The shank portion has a helical thread for threadingly engaging the helical marginal portion around the aperture when the bumper is assembled with the workpiece. The housing has an axial bore with a portion of reduced radius within the enlarged end portion. The portion of reduced radius defines a shoulder.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1995Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James R. Trauscht, Philip A. Taylor
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Patent number: 5766557Abstract: The container of the fluidized-bed apparatus has two wall parts detachably connected to one another and contains a pivotable perforated bottom arranged approximately at the height of the abutment point of the two wall parts. Each of the two wall parts is provided, at the abutment point, with an annular groove essentially arc-shaped in cross-section. The two grooves together form a channel open toward the container interior and contain a hollow seal which is circular in cross-section in the relaxed state. Said seal can be deformed by a fluid under pressure which is passed into it, for example compressed air, in such a way that, at a first fluid pressure value, it connects the two wall parts tightly to one another and at the same time tightly to the perforated bottom and that, at a second, lower fluid pressure value, it still connects the two wall parts tightly to one another but is separated from the perforated bottom by annular gap, so that said perforated bottom can be swivelled.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Glatt GmbHInventors: Bernhard Luy, Matthias Tondar
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Patent number: 5765884Abstract: A door latch has a latch mechanism including a drive element movable between a position corresponding to a closed condition of a vehicle door, a position corresponding to an open condition of the door, and an end reference end position offset from the closed and open positions and engaging a fixed abutment. An electric-motor drive connected to the mechanism can move the element between the closed and open positions and into the end reference position. A hall-effect sensor detects the current position of the element and a controller is connected to the sensor to operate the drive. After each displacement of the element from one of the open and closed positions to the other of the open and closed positions, the element is displaced into the end reference position and the controller is initialized while the element is in the end reference position. Thereafter the element is returned to the other of the open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Kiekert AGInventor: Stefan Armbruster
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Patent number: 5727822Abstract: The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to an apparatus for holding a door. The apparatus includes a body member and a blocking member rotatably coupled to the body member. The coupling is such that when the body member is positioned vertically in front of the door, the blocking member is disposed in one of a first blocking position and a second blocking position. The blocking member, in the first blocking position, contacts the door to hold the door at a first predefined position. The apparatus, when the blocking member is in the second blocking position, contacts the door to hold the door at a second predefined position. The door is opened further in the second predefined position than in the first predefined position.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: International Business & Technology CorporationInventor: David Truong
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Patent number: 5722703Abstract: A pop-up mechanism is formed of a main frame, supporting poles rotatably coupled to the main frame, an elevating member rotatably attached to the supporting poles, an urging device for urging the supporting poles to rotate in a stand-up direction, and a locking device for locking the elevating member in a pop-up state and in a folded state. The locking device includes a locking piece slidably attached to the elevating member and having a lock releasing projection and a locking hole; a locking member rotatably attached to one of the supporting poles and having a locking pawl; and a locking projection projecting from the main frame. The locking projection is engaged with a locking hole of the locking piece to lock in the folded state, and the locking pawl of the locking member is engaged with a locking dent formed in the elevating member to lock in the pop-up state. When the locking piece is pushed, the locking conditions in the folded state and the pop-up state are released.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: NIFCO Inc.Inventors: Takashi Iwamoto, Eiji Ueno
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Patent number: 5689853Abstract: A closure member restraining device 10 is provided which comprises a body mountable on a support surface, such as a wall, adjacent the closure member, a buffer arm 14 and a catch 16. The body comprises a buffer housing with a tubular sidewall 20 and an integrally moulded skirt 22 extending backwardly from the housing. The catch 16 depends from the buffer housing and automatically engages a handle formation on an opened door and restrains the door, so preventing it from closing. The buffer arm 14 is movable into and out of the buffer housing by coaxial screw or sliding movement to pre-set its position so that irrespective of the distance between the handle formation and the closure member, the buffer arm 14 abuts the closure member when the handle formation is engaged by the catch, thereby preventing movement of the closure member.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Vector Designs (Proprietary) LimitedInventor: Hermanus Johannes Richard Lemmer
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Patent number: 5645304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 29, 1996Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Inventors: Laura Richardson, Ira L. Richardson
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Patent number: 5509703Abstract: A latch for securing a cover or door to an enclosure provides a dust and water tight seal. The latch has a housing in which an activator is rotatably mounted. The latch housing has a depression formed in one of its surfaces. A gasket is designed to fin in the depression providing a seal between the activator and the housing. In the preferred embodiment the latch is a quarter-turn latch. The rotation of the latch is limited between a locked and unlocked position substantially 90.degree. apart.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1995Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Federal-Hoffman, Inc.Inventors: Robert G. Lau, John S. Abbott, David A. Swan