Motor Patents (Class 292/201)
  • Patent number: 8496275
    Abstract: A latch including a housing, a rotary pawl, catch means for releasably holding the pawl in a closed configuration, and means for operating the catch means are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Evan Mengstab
  • Patent number: 8491021
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening a door of a climatic test cabinet, an incubator, an environmental simulation chamber or a freezer is suitable for unlocking the door when the door is closed and locked and for transferring it to an open position. The force for opening the door need no longer be applied by the user himself operating lever mechanisms and transferring the door to an open position, but instead the force for opening the door may be applied by the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Binder GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Michael Binder, Andreas Stoerk
  • Publication number: 20130181462
    Abstract: A lock device for sliding gates has a harpoon-type bolt element whose head enters a cavity of a keeper from a shaped hole, and is pushed inside a sleeve by a roto-translation that is controlled by a cam and tappet coupling until the system is locked Reverse motion is prevented by engagement between the anchor of a solenoid and an elongated cavity on the surface of the bolt shaft, however allowing the bolt to tolerate axial displacements from thermal changes or settlements. An unlock control logic allows release of the engagement via a European profile lock cylinder, a mechanical control remotely operated through a Bowden wire, or an electrically controlled solenoid. The control logic ensures the system operation follows the correct direction of motion of a cyclic state machine, to provide proper synchronization with the operation of the gate automation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: VIRO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Filippo Bastianini
  • Patent number: 8485571
    Abstract: A door lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch mechanism engaged with and released from a striker, a first lever rotatably driven by a driving unit from a predetermined first initial position, a second lever operatively connected to the first lever and rotated from a predetermined second initial position and switching a state of the latch mechanism relative to the striker, a biasing member biasing the second lever to be returned to the second initial position, and an engagement portion provided at the first lever and releasing the second lever by thrusting the second lever in accordance with the rotational movement of the first lever returning to the first initial position from a constrained state where the second lever is constrained not to be returned to the second initial position after the second lever has changed the states of the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasutaka Shinoda, Akira Tani, Toshio Machida
  • Patent number: 8482394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a circuit arrangement having at least one sensor (5) and a connected control unit (7), wherein the sensor (5) has at least two switching states (“open” and “closed”), which correspond to varying current intensity (I1; I2) at the output of said sensor and are detected by the control unit (7), and the two switching states (“open” and “closed”) of the sensor (5) belong to different current paths (6a; 6a, 6b) of a line network (6) and/or to different voltage states of an output line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Nass, Thorsten Bendel, Matthias Ochtrop
  • Patent number: 8480138
    Abstract: A lock unit (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least a catch (2), a first pawl (3) having a pawl rotation axis (4), and a blocking lever (5), in which the catch (2) in a locked state of the lock unit (1) transfers a pivoting moment onto the first pawl (3) and in which the first pawl (3) is fixed by a blocking lever (5) and in which a second pawl (6) is provided that is mounted on the pawl rotation axis (4) and is engageable with the blocking lever (5) and the catch (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Serkan Gülkan, Dirk Hanisch, Ulrich Weichsel, Karsten Barth, Klaus Töpfer, Hans Deischl, Stefan Ebersohn, Martin Lindmayer, Wolfgang Much
  • Patent number: 8474887
    Abstract: A door opening and closing apparatus for a vehicle includes a displacement body operating a latch and being displaced within a moving region including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region positioned between the closing region and the releasing region, the displacement body displacing by an actuator, a control unit controlling the actuator for selectively engaging and disengaging the latch and a striker, a first detection portion outputting a first detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a first border portion of the neutral region closer to the closing region, and a second detection portion outputting a second detection signal changed when the displacement body passes through a second border portion of the neutral region closer to the releasing region. The control unit controls a moving position of the displacement body based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Suzuki, Takeshi Nishikibe
  • Patent number: 8474888
    Abstract: A closure latch includes a ratchet movable between an open position and a closed position. A pawl is provided and is movable between a ratchet locking position wherein the pawl holds the ratchet in the closed position and a ratchet release position. An inside door release lever is operatively connectable to the pawl. A lock includes a lock link movable between an unlocked position wherein the lock link operatively connects the inside door release lever to the pawl, and a locked position wherein the inside door release lever operatively disconnects the inside door release lever from the pawl. A lock lever cam rotatable between an unlocking range wherein the lock lever cam permits the lock link to move to the unlocked position, and a locking range wherein the lock lever moves the lock link to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Kris Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 8474886
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch, whose basic version contains a locking mechanism (1, 2) with at least one operating lever (3) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) and a motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2). According to the invention, the motor drive (4, 5, 6, 7) directly acts upon the locking mechanism (1, 2) solely via the operating lever (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Thorsten Bendel
  • Patent number: 8469409
    Abstract: A closure assembly is mounted on a vehicle and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position. The closure assembly includes a closure structure mounted to an associated vehicle for movement between the closed position and the at least one open position. A first lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. A second lock assembly is selectively locking the closure structure to the associated vehicle. One of the first and second lock assemblies includes a latch that requires overstroking to lock the latch in a latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew Plett, Steven Thiele, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8459705
    Abstract: Provided is a door lock apparatus which is adopted in an electronic product to lock or release a door of the door lock apparatus. The door lock apparatus includes a rocker, a rocker supporting member, a door lock main body and a locking unit. The rocker rotates when the hook of the door enters or withdraws from the door lock apparatus, to be coupled with or separated away from the hook. A rocker hinge rod and a position fixing rode positioned in parallel to the rocker hinge rod are integrated into the rocker. The rocker supporting member is hinge-coupled with the rocker hinge rod to rotatably support the rocker, reciprocatingly moves in a direction in which the hook enters or withdraws when the rocker is rotated, and receives an elastic force from a first elastic member in the direction in which the hook enters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dual Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Won Suh, Cheong-Won Choi
  • Patent number: 8454061
    Abstract: A latch system includes a latch bolt, a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position, a first release member, a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl, a second release member, and a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl. A portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products USA, LLC
    Inventor: Nigel V. Spurr
  • Patent number: 8448999
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor-driven lock with a rotary bolt, especially for rear doors, hatches or trunks of automotive vehicles, comprising a rotary bolt and a latch, also rotary between a closed position, in which it retains the bolt in a locking position, and another releasing position, in which it releases the mentioned bolt, the lock furthermore comprising a motor-driven drive cam and transmission means, to move the latch from its locking position to its releasing position, comprising a rocker arm, which can swing back and forth between two end positions, provided with a peripheral extension loosely coupled to the end of the latch, and provided with a control slide extending in a curved shape about the axis of rotation of the drive cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tubsa Automocion, S.L.
    Inventors: Joan Grifoll Sauri, Ramon Jalle Diaz
  • Patent number: 8444189
    Abstract: A door open/close system for a vehicle includes: a plurality of door open/close devices 11, 11? having a latch mechanism 14 including a latch 13 for engaging with an engaging member 12, a motor 16a (16a?) for driving the latch mechanism 14, and a latch state detecting member 21 (21?); and a control member 4 for starting to drive the motor of any one of all the door open/close device when the latch state detecting member of the one door open/close devices detects that the latch mechanism is in the half-latch state, said control member driving synchronously the motors of all the door open/close devices except the one door open/close device to change the latch mechanisms from the half-latch state to the full-latch state when the latch state detecting members of all the door open/close devices except the one door open/close device detect that the latch mechanisms are in the half-latch state in a case that the door of the vehicle is changed from a fully opened state to a fully closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norifumi Jitsuishi, Hironori Matsumoto, Takahiro Kan, Takashi Adachi, Motomu Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 8434796
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is a vehicle door latch with a locking mechanism (1, 2), comprising also at least one operating lever (3a, 3b) and a locking lever (4, 5). According to the invention, the operating lever (3a, 3b) contains a first partial lever (3a) and a second partial lever (3b). The locking lever (4, 5) controls a coupling element (12), optionally connecting the partial levers (3a, 3b) with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludger Graute
  • Publication number: 20130104459
    Abstract: A powered door latch may be actuated by a capacitive sensor or by movement of a mechanical release device. A controller may be utilized to prevent unlatching of the powered latch unless the vehicle is in Park and/or certain operating conditions are present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC.
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Patel, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Patent number: 8424934
    Abstract: An electromechanically actuated safety lock mechanism particularly suited for elevator hall doors, dumb waiters, and similar lift mechanisms and other applications. A door lock and switch comprises a fixed contact member that is attached to a movable door and a movable locking mechanism attached to a door jamb or second moving door. The locking mechanism may include an involute gear and star wheel, a pawl constrained by a torsion spring and an electromechanical device for actuating the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Inventor: Tim Askins
  • Patent number: 8403380
    Abstract: A cover closure for housings of laboratory devices and the like, in particular for centrifuge housings, in which a cover hook is engaged by a closure hook and brought into a closing position, and the closing and opening movement of the closure hook essentially being caused by an eccentric in connection with a crank guide and a guide path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo Electron LED GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Ballhause
  • Patent number: 8403379
    Abstract: A door lock apparatus, at both sides of a region interposing a second link lever therebetween, includes a sector lever shaft and an inside lever shaft that extend in parallel with a swinging shaft of the second link lever. The door lock apparatus also includes an inside handle lever swingably arranged about the inside lever shaft, and when an inside door handle arranged inside a vehicle is open-operated while the second link lever is disposed in a cancel position, moves the second link lever upwards by swinging about the center of the inside lever shaft, and when the inside door handle is open-operated while the second link lever is disposed in a non-cancel position, swings the sector lever in a locked position to an unlocked position about the center of the sector lever shaft, by swinging about the center of the inside lever shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Ishiguro, Takao Taga
  • Patent number: 8403378
    Abstract: A base plate is fixed to one of a door and a vehicle body of a vehicle. A latch is pivotally secured to the base plate and engages with a striker of the other of the door and the vehicle body, thereby connecting the door to the vehicle body. A ratchet is pivotally secured to the base plate and engages with the latch to allow the door to be held in a closed position. The base plate is fixed to the door or vehicle body with bolts. The striker which engages with the latch is positioned substantially on a straight line between center of the two bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okada, Satoru Nishizawa, Nao Mizumoto
  • Patent number: 8398128
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch system configured to temporarily prevent door latch mechanisms from unlatching during a predetermined event is provided. The vehicle door latch system includes a forkbolt pivotally mounted to a housing portion of the vehicle door latch. The forkbolt is capable of moving between a latching position and an unlatching position. The door latch system also includes a block out mechanism configured for movement between a blocking position and an unblocking position. The block out mechanism is configured to prevent the forkbolt from moving from the latching position to the unlatching position when the block out mechanism is in the blocking position. A biasing member biases the block out mechanism into the unblocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Inteva Products, LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, Xinhua He, Todd A. Suddon, Joseph D. Long, Thomas A. Dzurko
  • Patent number: 8393652
    Abstract: An SMA actuator includes an SMA element having a first end, a second end, and a central portion therebetween, the SMA element being oriented so that the first and second ends are adjacent one another and attached to one of an anchor interface or payload interface, and so that the central portion of the SMA element is attached to the other of the anchor interface or the payload interface. An electrical shorting device electrically connects the first and second ends, whereby electrical potential may be provided between a first point located between the first end and the central portion and a second point located between the second end and the central portion, thereby causing the SMA element to activate reducing the length of the SMA element. Related latches are disclosed including such actuator, or other simplified or more complex actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventor: Andrei Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 8393187
    Abstract: A locking paddle handle assembly for closures has a housing with a paddle handle pivotally mounted therein, a latch which latches and unlatches the closure upon rotation of the paddle handle, and an exterior key lock with a movable member that shifts between locked and unlocked positions. A deadbolt lock selectively engages the closure frame in the locked position to positively retain the closure closed. The deadbolt lock is operably connected with the movable key lock member, such that movement of the latter between the latched and unlatched positions contemporaneously shifts the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions. A remotely operable controller may be mounted either horizontally or vertically relative the handle assembly and is operably connected to a multi-armed lock cam to power shift the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bauer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce C. Bacon
  • Patent number: 8388030
    Abstract: A door latch device in a motor vehicle comprises an engagement portion including a latch which engages with a striker of a vehicle body. The door latch device comprises an inner lever connected to an inside handle, a lock lever connected to a lock knob on a door inside the vehicle, a subsidiary lever connected to the lock lever, a childproof lock lever, a motor and an actuating member driven by the motor to actuate the childproof lock lever. Childproof locking and a double locking can be carried out by the single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Takahashi, Bryan Farris
  • Patent number: 8388029
    Abstract: The invention concerns a lock provided with a single switch to indicate the “open” or “closed” state of said lock, comprising an actuator (5, 6) acting on a kinematic chain (7) to produce the functions of the lock, a switch (19) adapted to indicate the states of the lock, a double-notched closure (2, 3) bolt (1), a pawl (9) including a pawl tooth (4) designed to be urged into engagement with the first (2) or second (3) notch for closing the bolt (1). The invention is characterized in that it comprises a mobile cam (12) for actuating the switch, said actuating cam (12) being mobile under the action of the bolt (1) and/or of the pawl (9) during the opening and/or closing phase of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Jean-christophe Pecoul, Christian Wattebled
  • Patent number: 8376417
    Abstract: A door latch apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch, a pawl, a motor, a release power transmitting mechanism, an active rotary member arranged in a standby area in a normal state, a driven rotation member rotating about a rotational shaft arranged in parallel with a rotational shaft of the active rotary member and away therefrom, a cam projection formed at the active rotary member, a cam groove formed at the driven rotation member and slidably engaging with the cam projection, the cam groove extending away from a reference line when the standby area is arranged close to one side of the rotation range and the active rotary member is positioned close to the one side of the rotation range, and a standby state detecting device detecting whether or not the active rotary member is arranged within the standby area based on a rotational position of the driven rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Machida, Jun Ishida, Shinsuke Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 8376418
    Abstract: A latch for an appliance or the like provides a floating bolt assembly spring biasing a door against a sealing gasket in different positions depending on gasket compliance. A lock provides a stop that may adjustably bridge a distance between the latch frame and the floating bolt assembly as the gasket ages thereby providing positive locking of the door over the life of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Osvatic, Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Patent number: 8376416
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, Jr., Jeffrey L. Konchan
  • Patent number: 8336929
    Abstract: A double latch assembly for a motor vehicle having two pivotably mounted closure members is disclosed in which a sequencing lever is used to release first and second pawls used to hold first and second rotatable claws in respective latched positions. A single actuator A1 is used to release both of the pawls but because of the use of a disengageable coupling between the sequencing lever and the second pawl it is ensured that the first pawl is always released before the second pawl. Only a single actuator A1 is required to release both pawls and no sensors are required to control the sequencing of the pawls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Land Rover
    Inventor: Martin Charles Halliwell
  • Patent number: 8333414
    Abstract: A device includes a latch of a door and rotates while engaging with a striker of a vehicle body; a pawl which is rotatable between a latched position to restrict a rotation of the latch and a unlatched position to permit the rotation of the latch; a motor; a release power transmitting unit which transmits a rotational power of the motor to the pawl and rotates the pawl from the latched position to the unlatched position. The device further includes a motor-side rotation board, a relay rotation board, and a pawl-side rotation board, which are connected to be integrally rotatable. The relay rotation board become movable to a power shutoff position by pressing operation though an operating hole formed in a door. In the power shutoff position, connecting between the three boards is released, and the motor-side rotation board and the pawl-side rotation board become individually rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takayanagi, Toshio Machida, Jun Ishida
  • Patent number: 8328249
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provided, the latch assembly having a fork bolt movably secured thereto for movement between a latched position and an unlatched position. A detent lever is also provided. The detent lever is capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the detent lever retains the fork bolt in the latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position. The detent lever has a stop member and a guide member each protruding away from a surface of the detent lever and the stop member is in a spaced relationship with respect to the guide member. The latch assembly also includes an actuator for moving the detent lever from the engaged position to the disengaged position by contacting the guide member while the stop member is positioned so that the actuator will contact the stop member and prevent further movement of the actuator when the fork bolt is in the unlatched position and the detent lever is in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Inteva Products, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Corrales, Eduardo Estrada, Joseph Long, David W. Achinger
  • Patent number: 8322761
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an opening/closing body for automatically opening/closing the opening/closing body. The apparatus includes a displacement body movable and displaced between movable regions including a closing region, a releasing region and a neutral region, a neutral detecting first switch configured to output a first detection signal in response to passage of the displacement body through a first boundary portion of the neutral region, a neutral detecting second switch configured to output a second detection signal in response to passage of the displacement body through a second boundary portion of the neutral region, and a control unit for effecting braking control for reducing the moving speed of the opening/closing body if neither the first detection signal nor the second detection signal are detected within a predetermined period after starting of a neutral returning movement which is effected after a latch closing movement of the opening/closing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Itami, Takeshi Nishikibe
  • Patent number: 8303003
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latch that comprises a lock and a closing part that engages with the latter. Said lock comprises a catch (10) and a clink and said catch (10) comprises a receiving element (19) for the closing part and has a stepped profile in the direction of the periphery, said stepped profile having a prestop (13) and a main stop (14) for a locking point on the clink. Said catch (10) can be adjusted at least between three rotational positions which are an open position, a stop position and a main stop position. In order to prevent problems with the latch, the prestop (13) and the main stop (14) are placed on the catch (10) at a radial distance (47, 48), that is different from each other, in relation to the rotational axis (11). A sensor determines the different radial distance that is obtained in the prestop position and the main stop position, and informs the control device. In accordance with the information provided to the sensor, the control device performs the functions defined by vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Berghahn, Hans-Günter Kaiser, Jürgen Moczygemba, Eckart Schuler
  • Publication number: 20120261928
    Abstract: An exit device that includes a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking a door, the locking mechanism having a latch bolt, and a link connected to the latch bolt, movement of the link between locked and unlocked positions causes movement of the latch bolt between an extended state and a retracted state to lock and unlock the door, and a motor operably connected to the link. A method of operating the exit device includes operating the motor to move the link in a first direction toward the unlocked position, the motor being operated until the link reaches a hard stop position; thereafter determining a soft stop position based on the hard stop position; and thereafter selectively using the motor to move the link in the first direction toward the unlocked position, the motor being operated only until the link reaches the soft stop position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: VON DUPRIN, INC.
    Inventors: William P. Dye, Raymond F. Rettig, William W. Myntti
  • Publication number: 20120261081
    Abstract: An electronic locking apparatus for a rollup door, including a striker plate and a locking apparatus having a housing; a U-shaped trigger latch pivotably mounted to the housing having a notch and a spring; and a release catch pivotably mounted to the housing, a tab which can engage the notch and a spring. A solenoid is associated with a piston, which is connected to the release catch and can cause the release catch to pivot positions. Also included is a control assembly including a processor, user interface and memory storage device. A user can enter access information into the user interface, which causes the processor to actuate the solenoid, which moves the piston and causes the release catch to pivot. The release catch tab engages or disengages from the trigger latch tab to pivot and release or retain the striker plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Janus International Corporation
    Inventors: David Bryan Curtis, Adam David Nyman
  • Publication number: 20120248796
    Abstract: A door lock device is disclosed, wherein if positioning of an interlinking lever and a closing ver is performed using the biasing force of a biaser when the hook is in the striker releasing position, subsequent rotations of the interlinking lever and the control lever are prevented from becoming unsmooth. The door lock device is provided with a control slot which moves the interlinking lever toward the coupling position, which moves the interlinking lever toward the coupling disengaging position via the control projection when the control lever rotates toward the coupling disengagement assisting position and which is formed in said control lever, and a stopper which prevents the closing lever from rotating to the draw-in releasing position by the biasing force of the closing lever biaser to thereby make the control projection spaced from an end surface of the control slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hayato KUREBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8276949
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock device includes a latch mechanism having a lift lever and further includes an inside open lever, an outside open lever, an open link and an active lever. A spring is interposed between the outside open lever and the open link. In the housing, provided is an unlocked state holding guide for holding the open link in an unlocked state when the active lever is in an unlock position and when the outside open lever rotates. In the active lever, provided is a locked state holding guide for holding the open link in a locked state when the active lever is in a lock position and when the outside open lever rotates. This construction enables reduction of the number of components and construction of the device in a simple and inexpensive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryujiro Akizuki, Takashi Nishio, Nobuko Watanabe, Yasuhiko Sono, Kazunori Kojima
  • Patent number: 8276950
    Abstract: Rotary latch lock for the locking closing of a vehicle door, having a lock case 2 exhibiting a cut-out recess for a lock pin, in which two rotatably mounted rotary latches, two rotary latch springs for imposing a load on the rotary latches and one pivotable, engaging lock element are arranged, which are capable of interacting in such a way as to actuate the lock, in conjunction with which an actuating element engaging in the lock case is provided, which element is capable of interacting operatively with the lock element, and by means of which locking is capable of being released, in conjunction with which an engaging locking element capable of pivoting and actuating this latch is provided for each rotary latch, in conjunction with which the locking elements are capable of interacting operatively with at least one actuating element, and in conjunction with which the rotary latch lock preferably exhibits an arrangement for locating, centering and guiding the vehicle door in relation to the body during opening a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: D. La Porte Söhne GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Kutschat
  • Patent number: 8267444
    Abstract: A door lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a latch mechanism, an open operation lever, an open lever operatively connected to the open operation lever, a locking lever being switchable between an unlocked position and a locked position, a link operation lever operatively connected to the locking lever, a link member operatively connected to the link operation lever, the link member being able to transmit an operation of the open lever to the latch mechanism when the locking lever is in the unlocked position, the link member being unable to transmit the operation of the open lever to the latch mechanism when the locking lever is in the locked position, and a lever member operatively connected to the open lever and the locking lever, the lever member moving the locking lever from the locked position to the unlocked position by means of the operation of the open lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryujiro Akizuki, Takashi Nishio, Kazumasa Seo, Yusuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 8261586
    Abstract: A lock including a housing having an opening for a locking bolt, a locking bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, an actuator positioned within the housing, and a rotary blocking device that prevents the locking bolt from moving to the unlocked position is disclosed. The lock may optionally include a tamper resistant mechanism that is designed such that attempting to forcibly move the locking bolt from the locked position to the unlocked position while the actuator remains in the locked condition causes the locking bolt to engage the tamper resistant mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Klaus W. Gartner
  • Patent number: 8262143
    Abstract: A driving device for actuating a latch via a lock, for a motor-vehicle door closure system, includes a coupling element including a longitudinal body having ends capable of being rotatably coupled with a part, mounted movably in axial rotation, of the lock and with a part, mounted movably in axial rotation, of the latch. At least one cylinder made from rigid plastic is fixed on the body such that longitudinal portions of the body left visible are smaller than 20 mm (millimeters).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle S.A.S.
    Inventor: Fabrice Giacomin
  • Patent number: 8256805
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock device includes a latching mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a child-lock mechanism. The child-lock mechanism is arranged between the latching mechanism and an inside door handle, and switches between a transmitting state and a non-transmitting state. The child-lock mechanism in the transmitting state transmits to the latching mechanism a force regarding an attempt to open a door by using the inside door handle, while the child-lock mechanism in the non-transmitting state does not transmit the force to the latching mechanism. When the latching mechanism receives the force, an inside-door handle lever causes the locking mechanism to switch to an unlocked state from a locked state. When the child-lock mechanism is in the transmitting state and the locking mechanism is in the locked state, a link lever and a panic lever operate the inside-door handle lever without transmitting the force to the latching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 8250889
    Abstract: A compact power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate with a key lockable latch that relies on a lock lever for its operation. The power lock includes a linear power actuator attached to a sliding actuating link with two tabs that engage the lock lever of the key lockable tailgate latch. The actuating link is arranged alongside the linear power actuator so as not to add to its length and to attain maximum compactness. The spacing of the two tabs is such that the lock lever can move freely between the locked and unlocked position when it is activated by the key lockable tailgate latch. When the actuator is energized by voltage pulses of alternating polarity its motion is transferred to the attached actuating link and the tabs push the locking lever to or fro to lock or unlock the tail gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Pop & Lock, LLC
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 8245549
    Abstract: A tamperproof power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate latch handle. The lock includes a power actuator, a rotating crank, a connecting rod and a lock bolt that locks the tailgate handle. The linear output motion of the actuator is transferred into rotation of the crank that is limited to rotate between two stops. An over center spring or friction keeps the crank or the lock bolt in either of the two stop positions. The rotation of the crank is transferred into linear motion of the locking bolt by the connecting rod. In the locked position the crank is up against one of the stops and the connecting rod past dead center. As a result the locking bolt cannot be pushed back forcibly in an attempt to defeat the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pop & Lock, LLC
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 8240723
    Abstract: A door latch apparatus for a vehicle includes: a base member fixed in a door by a plurality of bolts; an engagement mechanism supported by the base member, and arranged to be engaged with a striker of a vehicle body; and an outside lever pivotably supported by the base member, and connected through an operating force transmitting member to an outside handle provided to an outer door panel of the door, the outside lever being pivoted in accordance with an operation of the outside handle so as to release the engagement between the engagement mechanism and the striker, the outside lever including a connection portion connected with the operating force transmitting member, and disposed in a region inside of the outer edge of the base member in the lateral direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Akahori, Ryoji Shimura
  • Publication number: 20120193927
    Abstract: A door opener for closed and open circuit current operation has a door opener latch, switchover means mounted to move in a first rotary bearing for blocking and releasing the latch, armature adjustable about a second rotary bearing for blocking or releasing the switchover means, electromagnet for adjusting the armature, and restoring spring moving the armature to an inoperative position when the electromagnet is in the unenergized state. The switchover means has a blocking cross section facing the armature, and an adjacent release cross section recessed behind the blocking cross section. The armature has a plate-like design and a blocking recess in the central section merging with a slot-like release recess in the end section averted from the second bearing, the blocking cross section corresponding to the blocking recess and the release cross section corresponding to the release recess. The vertical distance between the first and second bearings is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ASSA ABLOY SICHERHEITSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: Dieter Gresser
  • Patent number: 8226129
    Abstract: A link 11 reaches a locking position in response to movement of a rod 9. A cab lock hook 12 is rotatably supported by the link 11, and arrives at a locking position in response to rotation of the link 11 toward the locking position, thereby engaging with a pin 4 on the chassis side 2. A switch 40 is fixed to a cab 1, and when it is pressed down, the state thereof changes accordingly. A lock close portion 60 is rotatably supported by the other end of the cab 1, and is movable between a closing position and a non-closing position. The lock close portion 60 in the closing position engages with a rod connecting shaft 27 while the link 11 is in the locking position, and prevents movement of the link 11 in a lock release direction. The lock close portion 60 includes a switch pressure section 66, which presses down the switch 40 when the lock close portion 10 reaches the closing position from the non-closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Shigeo Okunaka, Hiromichi Matoba, Eiji Yamashina, Osamu Sekimizu
  • Patent number: 8215683
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device, in particular for a cover of a motor vehicle, having a rotary latch which interacts with a cover-side locking clamp (10) and which is held securely in its closed position by means of a pawl, and with a catch hook (20) which can be caused to engage the catch element (42) after transfer of the pawl into the open position and by which the cover is to be kept in the holding position, and the catch hook (20) can be transferred out of the holding position into the open position in which the cover is to be completely opened, the rotary latch and the catch hook (20) being made as separate parts, and the pawl of the rotary latch and the catch hook (20) is to be actuated in a sequence via a common remote actuation element (Bowden cable 24) after one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Michael Drescher, Gunther C. Bohm
  • Patent number: 8196975
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc
    Inventors: Krystof Peter Jankowski, Ehab Kamal, Lynn Dadeppo
  • Patent number: 8186191
    Abstract: A locking paddle handle assembly for closures has a housing with a paddle handle pivotally mounted therein, a latch which latches and unlatches the closure upon rotation of the paddle handle, and a exterior key lock with a movable member that shifts between locked and unlocked positions. A deadbolt lock selectively engages the closure frame in the locked position to positively retain the closure closed. The deadbolt lock is operably connected with the movable key lock member, such that movement of the latter between the latched and unlatched positions contemporaneously shifts the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions. A remotely operable controller is operably connected with the deadbolt lock to power shift the same between the locked and unlocked positions from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce C. Bacon