Motor Patents (Class 292/201)
  • Patent number: 7637542
    Abstract: A door lock apparatus includes a housing for accommodating a latch mechanism for holding a vehicle door to a vehicle body, a lever mechanism actuated when a door handle is operated, a link mechanism for connecting the lever mechanism to the latch mechanism, the link mechanism having a first position for transmitting operational force from the lever mechanism to the latch mechanism and a second position for preventing transmission of the operational force from the lever mechanism to the latch mechanism, and a motor drive mechanism for changing the first and second positions of the link mechanism. The housing includes a first accommodating space for accommodating the motor drive mechanism and a second accommodating space adjacently provided to the first accommodating space for accommodating the latch mechanism and a water preventing portion is provided for preventing water from entering the first accommodating space from outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Suzumura, Akira Muramatsu, Sigeru Tanabe, Yukinobu Kunimatsu
  • Publication number: 20090309971
    Abstract: This device has the double function of opening the lock upon actuation of a handle (20), and as the need may arise, of capturing the exterior of the vehicle in an image via a camera (31). In order to optimally carry out these two tasks, and for a space-saving configuration, it is proposed to configure a hole in the back wall of a support shell (10) receiving the handle (20), the housing (23) of a module being mounted on this hole. The camera (31) is supported in a pivoting and translatory manner in the module housing (23) via a camera mount (32) between a retracting position and an extending position (31.2). Furthermore, a drive (30) and a gear are mounted on the module housing (33) for a rotational-translatory displacement (32.2) of the camera (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Heiko Schuetz
  • Publication number: 20090295174
    Abstract: A latch assembly is disclosed herein. The latch assembly has 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: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Manuel Corrales, Eduardo Estrada, Joseph Long, David W. Achinger
  • Patent number: 7625020
    Abstract: A door of a vehicle is opened and closed by a handle mounted to the side of the door. In the door, a vehicle door lock control connected to the handle comprises a base plate on which an operating lever and a release lever are pivotally secured. The release lever is connected to a door-latching device which engages with or disengages from a vehicle body. The door is placed by a knob via a knob lever in a locked position where the door cannot be opened by the handle. The knob is coupled to the knob lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyoshi Fujimatsu, Mitsuhiro Watanabe, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 7621571
    Abstract: An input shaft of a key lever that transmits a rotating drive force from a key cylinder in response to a key operation is arranged in a lower side of a door housing so that the rain water and the like does not easily reach the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Umino
  • Publication number: 20090284025
    Abstract: A lock configured to lock retractable devices such as retractable landing gear for aircraft in a retracted position. The lock comprises a pivotally mounted hook member with a hook portion arranged to maintain a capture pin attached for example to retractable landing gear in a predetermined position when locked. A pivotally mounted first stage latch assembly is provided having a portion arranged to engage with a corresponding portion on the pivotally mounted hook member. A pivotally mounted second stage latch assembly is also provided having a portion arranged to engage a corresponding portion of the first stage latch assembly to maintain the first stage latch assembly and hook member in the predetermined locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew Philip SALCOMBE
  • Patent number: 7614669
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electric door lock according to the present invention is interchangeable between fail safe and fail secure modes and comprises a housing for receiving the internal components of the door lock. A latch bolt is mounted within the housing and is movable from partially extending from and retracted into the housing. A doorknob is mounted to the housing and is rotatable to retract the latch bolt. A solenoid assembly is also mounted within the housing and can be interchangeably arranged to cause the lock to operate a fail secure mode wherein the doorknob is prevented from retracting the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized, or a fail safe mode wherein the doorknob is allowed to retract the latch bolt when the solenoid is not energized. The solenoid is nested in place within the housing in both modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Security Door Controls
    Inventors: Arthur Geringer, David Geringer, Richard Geringer
  • Patent number: 7614670
    Abstract: A door closing apparatus includes a latch mechanism operated for opening or closing a door of a vehicle, a driving mechanism transmitting a driving force to the latch mechanism to operate the latch mechanism, a first lever rotatably disposed about a first rotational axis and rotating in one direction in response to transmission of an operation force of a door handle to the first lever so that the latch mechanism is controlled at the unlatched state, a second lever having an engaging portion which engages with the first lever and rotatably disposed about a second rotational axis being different from the first rotational axis. The second lever rotates in the one direction about the second rotational axis in response to a rotation in the one direction of the first lever to interrupt transmission of the driving force from the driving mechanism to the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Hayakawa, Motohiro Kokubo, Toshitsugu Oda, Tsutomu Kobayashi, Nobuko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090267359
    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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takayanagi, Toshio Machida, Jun Ishida
  • Patent number: 7607702
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for selectively latching a door to an automotive vehicle. The latch mechanism includes a latch hook movable between locked and unlocked positions relative to a striker bar fixedly secured to the vehicle. A release lever is operatively coupled between the latch hook and the latch mechanism for selectively actuating the latch hook between the locked and unlocked positions. An inertia lever is engagable with the release lever to prevent movement of the latch hook between the unlocked and locked positions. The inertia lever is movably coupled to the latch mechanism for movement in and out of engagement with the release lever in response to a threshold acceleration of the vehicle. A slot is formed in the release lever presenting sides engagable with the inertia lever to automatically rock the inertia lever in response to movement of the release lever to prevent seizing of the inertia lever within the latch mechanism due to lack of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Pereverzev
  • Patent number: 7603882
    Abstract: An electric door lock assembly including a solenoid having a plunger movable between retracted and extended positions, and a mounting bracket for mounting the solenoid to a door or door frame so that the plunger operatively moves along a vertical axis between the retracted and extended positions. A locking arm or bolt is pivotally connected at a proximal end thereof to the plunger. A connecting arrangement causes rotational and linear pivoting of the arm relative to a horizontal axis as the plunger is moved between the retracted and extended positions such that a distal end of the arm moves between unlocked and locked positions relative to a keeper in the door. This arrangement can include the locking arm having an elongate axial slot in which a fixed pin of the mounting bracket is positioned; the pivot pin defining the horizontal axis. The proximal end of the locking arm is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Carbajal, Matthew Rolek
  • Publication number: 20090243309
    Abstract: A door latch device in a motor vehicle comprises an engagement portion which can engage with a striker of a vehicle body; an operating lever operated with a handle on a door of the vehicle to open the door; a locking lever which moves between an unlocking position where the engagement portion can be disengaged from the striker and a locked position where the engagement portion cannot be disengaged from the striker; a first subsidiary lever moving with the locking lever; a second subsidiary lever connected to the operating lever and moving with the first subsidiary lever; a spring exerting a force to the first subsidiary lever and the second subsidiary lever; and a blocking member moving between a blocking position and an unblocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, a locking knob is actuated for unlocking to allow the locking lever and the first subsidiary lever to move from the locked position to the unlocking position against a force of the spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Akira TAKAHASHI, Bryan FARRIS
  • Publication number: 20090235913
    Abstract: A locking apparatus for locking a cooking device door is provided that includes a locking element, a motor for moving the locking element, and a stop in the cooking device door which restricts the movement of the locking element in a locking position. In order to provide a locking apparatus for locking a cooking device door with improved properties in terms of reliability of the lock, the locking apparatus includes a device for detecting a core variable for a movement path covered by the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Götzendorfer, Hans Lappat, Andreas Mayr
  • Publication number: 20090236863
    Abstract: An electric door latch apparatus includes a manual operation portion adapted to be mounted on a vehicle door and configured to be switched between a closed door retaining state in which the vehicle door is retained at a closed position and a door openable state in which the vehicle door is openable by an electric actuation, the manual operation portion being switched from the closed door retaining state to the door openable state by a manual operation in an electrically inoperable condition, and the manual operation portion positioned within the vehicle door and including a tool fitting hole on a surface thereof facing a vehicle compartment side wall portion of the vehicle door. The manual operation portion is configured to be rotated by fitting a predetermined tool into the tool fitting hole via an operation hole formed penetrating through the vehicle compartment side wall portion of the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryujiro AKIZUKI, Takeshi TADA, Yoshinobu OGURA
  • Publication number: 20090235767
    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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: SOUTHCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Gilbert Garneau, Evan Mengstab
  • Patent number: 7591493
    Abstract: A door opening/closing device includes a door operating lever that releases a closed-door latch unit when being turned to a first direction and releases an open-door latch unit when being turned to a second direction is arranged on a base plate by means of an inside-handle lever shaft. Also, an operation output unit is formed on an inside handle so as to engage with the door operating lever. When the inside handle is operated to open or close the door, the door operating lever is turned in a desired direction by bringing the operation output unit into contact with the door operating lever. Furthermore, a lower open lever that transmits the turning operation to the second direction of the door operating lever to the open-door latch unit is arranged on the base plate by means of the inside-handle lever shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Nozawa
  • Publication number: 20090230703
    Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a latch chassis, a latch bolt having a closed position and an open position, a pawl having an engaged position at which the pawl holds the latch bolt in the closed position and a disengaged position at which the pawl allows the latch bolt to move to the open position, and a first release handle operably connected to the pawl via a transmission path to selectively move the pawl from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The transmission path includes a toggle linkage having a first link pivotable about a first axis and a second link pivotable about a second axis, the first link and the second link being pivotable relative to each other about a common axis. The latch mechanism includes a stop to limit rotation of the second link in a first direction relative to the first link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Peter J. Coleman, Nigel Victor Spurr
  • Patent number: 7581767
    Abstract: A latch engages with a striker fixed to a vehicle when a door of the vehicle is closed. A latch lever that turns together with the latch has an engagement portion. A closing lever forced by a spring has a pressing portion and has the same axis as a sector gear driven by a motor. If the door is incompletely closed or in a half-latched position, the closing lever turns by the sector gear driven by the motor, so that the pressing portion contact and press the engagement portion of the latch lever to allow the door to close completely. Even if the pressing portion inadvertently engages with the engagement portion, the sector gear and the closing lever can return to the original position independently. Then, the door can normally be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Fujihara
  • Patent number: 7568741
    Abstract: A door lock system includes a first link lever, a second link lever, and a spring. The first link lever moves to a transmitting position in response to an unlocking operation. The second link lever includes a ratchet driver that is formed integrally with a bushing. The ratchet driver is rotatable between a first rotational position and a second rotational position on the first link lever. In response to a door-opening operation, when the ratchet driver is in the first rotational position and the first link lever is in the transmitting position, the second link lever allows a ratchet lever to disengage a ratchet from a latch. The spring maintains the second link lever in the first rotational position when the first link lever moves to the transmitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Odahara
  • Patent number: 7568740
    Abstract: Motor vehicle lock with a ratchet, latch, actuation lever, internal actuation chain, external actuation chain and a control, the ratchet having an engagement position in which it holds the latch in the closed position, and a raised position in which the latch is released, the ratchet being movable from the engagement position into the raised position by the actuating lever, the control having different operating states and depending on the state, the ratchet is actuatable via the actuation lever by the internal actuation chain from an inside door handle and/or by the external actuation chain from an outside door handle or not at all. In the base state, the internal actuation chain and the external actuation chain are coupled to the actuation lever and the internal actuation chain and/or the external actuation chain can be decoupled from the actuation lever by the control depending on the operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Simon Brose, Checrallah Kachouh
  • Patent number: 7559586
    Abstract: A door lock apparatus includes: a link member interposed between a latch mechanism and an open lever and selectively operated between an unlock position and a lock position, the unlock position in which an operation of the open lever is transmitted to the latch mechanism, and the lock position in which the operation is not transmitted to the latch mechanism; and a lock operation lever including an active lever and a sub lever, the sub lever configured to operate integrally with the active lever when the link member is switched to the lock position and to cooperate with the active lever via a biasing member when the link member is switched to the unlock position. The lock operation lever is an assembly containing the active lever, the sub lever and the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Fukunaga, Makoto Suzumura, Akira Muramatsu, Sigeru Tanabe, Yukinobu Kunimatsu, Kazuhisa Hidaka
  • Patent number: 7559585
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provides selective locking of a front portion of a convertible top to a windshield header. The latch assembly includes a latch mechanism, an actuator and a frame. The latch mechanism has a hook movable between locked and unlocked states with a striker bar on the front portion of the convertible top. The actuator is operatively coupled to the latch mechanism for actuating the hook between locked and unlocked states. The frame supports both the latch mechanism and the actuator so that the entire latch assembly can be assembled to the windshield header as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Plesternings, Travis White
  • Publication number: 20090174195
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: ALFMEIER PRĂ„ZISION BAUGRUPPEN UND SYSTEMLĂ–SUNGEN
    Inventor: Andrei Szilagyi
  • Patent number: 7556033
    Abstract: A door opening and closing system for a electric oven is provided. The system includes: at least one latch provided at one side surface of a door; a door interlocking structure having a rotary lever, a switch and an elastic spring to sense opening and closing of the door, the rotary lever being pushed by the latch to rotate about one side, the switch sequentially contacting with the rotary lever, and the elastic spring allowing the rotary lever to be supported in one direction; and a door locking structure having a motor, a rotary unit and a latch guide unit, the motor rotating after it is sensed that the door is closed by the door interlocking structure, the rotary unit engaged with and rotated about a rotary shaft of the motor, and the latch guide unit being associated with the rotary unit to change a rotation motion of the rotary unit into a straight-line motion such that the door is latched to the latch to prevent an erroneous opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hag Sin Kim
  • Patent number: 7552952
    Abstract: A system for the detection of at least an open state of an opening of a motor vehicle and two other states of a lock of said opening, called a first state and a second state, includes two switching devices associated with the opening and the lock. One of the two switching devices includes a first contact breaker with a normally open or normally closed position detecting at least the open state of the opening. The two switching devices are connected to a ground cable. The first contact breaker detects the first state and is connected to a first information cable. The other of the two switching devices includes a second contact breaker with a position normally open or normally closed detecting two states and is connected to a second information cable. Of the two states, one is common with the state detected by the first contact breaker. The first and second information cables are connected to analytical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Lionel Roesslinger
  • Publication number: 20090160198
    Abstract: An operating mechanism unit includes a motor, a worm wheel being rotated by the motor, a sector gear meshing with a pinion provided on one side of the worm wheel and rotating to an unlocking position and a locking position, switch levers connected to the sector gear and shifting to an unlocking position where engagement with a meshing mechanism is releasable and a locking position where the engagement cannot be released, and a key sub-lever pivotally supported on the same pivot on which the sector gear pivots. The key sub-lever is rotatable from a neutral position in an unlocking direction and a locking direction in synchronism with operation of a key cylinder so as to rotate the sector gear to the unlocking position by rotating in the unlocking direction and to rotate the sector gear in the locking direction by rotating in the locking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Yuji Yoda
  • Patent number: 7549516
    Abstract: An elevator door interlock incorporates cast parts thereby drastically reducing the number of parts required for assembly. Other elements are also incorporated to further reduce complexity in manufacturing, servicing, and configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W Eisenhower, Jr., David E Falcon, Michael T. Bunyer, Jeffrey S Hall, Richard A Bear
  • Publication number: 20090145182
    Abstract: An auxiliary locking drive for a motor vehicle lock having its own drive housing and being located separate from the vehicle lock in the installed state. The auxiliary locking drive can be coupled to the vehicle lock by way of a transmission that transmits a linear driving motion produced by a drive motor to the vehicle lock for transferring the vehicle lock from the half-locked state into the main locked state by the driving motion. The auxiliary locking drive, for producing the linear driving motion, has a feed gear mechanism which is connected downstream of the drive motor and is made as a spindle-spindle nut gearing with a spindle and a spindle nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Axel Bettin, Gregor Buedding, Simon Brose, Michael Langferman
  • Patent number: 7540541
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a vehicle includes a knob that is arranged on one door panel, a holding unit that holds the door in a fully closed state, a control unit that is arranged on other door panel, and allows opening and closing of the door by releasing the holding unit in response to an operation of the knob, a link unit that is arranged outside of a moving area of an opening/closing member that opens and closes a window opening of the door, a first wire cable that connects the link unit to the knob, and a second wire cable that connects the link unit to the control unit. The operation of the knob is transmitted to the link unit, and the operation transmitted is relayed by the link unit to the control unit, making the control unit operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiro Yoneyama, Shintaro Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7537249
    Abstract: To accurately control opening and closing of a door, a device includes an opening/closing switch lever arranged at an opening end of a striker receiving groove, and configured to shift between a retreated position and an advanced position. When a striker is positioned in an engagement groove of a latch, the opening/closing switch lever is positioned at the retreated position, and when the striker is removed from the engagement groove and then from a receiving groove, the opening/closing switch lever is positioned at the advanced position. The device further includes an opening/closing switch that performs a switching operation when the opening/closing switch lever that has been positioned at the advanced position shifts toward the retreated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Ichinose, Etsuo Yamamoto, Michio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7503598
    Abstract: The invention refers to a vehicle door latch with a catch and pawl, in which the catch contains a cushioning stop and said cushioning stop being designed as a spring stop for the reset spring of the catch on its non-cushioning side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Ludger Graute
  • Patent number: 7500700
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch having a locking mechanism (1, 2) and a base housing (6). The locking mechanism (1, 2) is optionally lodged in connection with other lock components (3, 4, 5) in the base housing (6) and forms a base module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) with the base housing. The base module (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) is designed to receive a complementary module (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) with a drive mechanism (8, 9, 10, 11) for opening the locking mechanism (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Frank Kunst
  • Patent number: 7490875
    Abstract: A lock system includes: a latch which is rotatably supported on a housing, and is brought into engagement with and disengagement from a striker; a spring for biasing the latch in a direction in which the engagement of the latch with the striker is released; a slide member which is rotatably supported on the housing, controls the rotation of the latch, and is an integrated molded part; a rotation preventing portion which prevents a rotation of the latch in a biased direction; a rotation permitting portion which permits the rotation of the latch in the biased direction; and a driven portion which links with a manual operation unit, wherein: the rotation preventing portion and the rotation permitting portion are provided at one end portion of the slide member; and the driven portion is provided at the other end portion of the slide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Najima
  • Patent number: 7488014
    Abstract: A door opening/closing device includes, between a door operating lever and an open-door latch unit, a first connection link connected to the door operating lever and a third wire cable. One end of the third wire cable is connected to the first connection link and the other end is connected to the open-door latch unit to connect the first connection link and the open-door latch unit to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Nozawa, Jiro Mitsui
  • Patent number: 7481469
    Abstract: A door lock for an oven includes a lock housing, a geared motor, an actuating shaft to be driven by the geared motor, a retaining plate and a locking element formed as a lever to be operated by the actuating shaft. The lever is mounted on the retaining plate and has a lever axle for reversibly changing location relative to the lock housing. A spring exerts a force being overcome in an emergency-unlocking function permitting adjustment of the retaining plate to allow opening of the lever having been previously brought into a locking position by the actuating shaft, without further operation of the actuating shaft. The actuating shaft is adjustable along its axis by the lever having been unlocked in an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Harrer
  • Patent number: 7478846
    Abstract: A ratchet shaft is mounted on the base plate beforehand. The ratchet shaft includes, at its base end with a flange collar, a first stepped portion that supports a ratchet lever to be rotatable, and a second stepped portion that receives the thickness of a base plate at the front end of the first stepped portion. The second stepped portion is caulked to the base plate with the ratchet lever resting on the first stepped portion and the base plate resting on the second stepped portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Yoshikuwa, Takao Taga
  • Patent number: 7478845
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a locking device comprising a striker; and a latch in operative communication with an actuator that comprises an active material; wherein the latch is adapted to engage the striker in direct proportion to an applied activation signal. Disclosed herein too is a method for assisting a final closing motion of a suspended body with respect to a supporting body comprising moving the suspended body to within a defined distance from the supporting body; and activating a locking device, wherein the locking device comprises a striker; a latch in operative communication with an actuator that comprises an active material; wherein the latch is adapted to engage the striker in direct proportion to an applied activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Alan L. Browne, Paul R. Meernik, Nancy L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7475920
    Abstract: An automotive door lock having a lock mechanism (3) for releasably engaging a striker (4), and a release mechanism (5) interacting with the lock mechanism (3) to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has a control member (18) which interacts with the lock mechanism (3), is loaded elastically into a rest position, and can be set to a work position to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has an actuating member (31) activated selectively to move the control member (18), in a forward movement, from the rest position to the work position; and, during a return movement of the control member (18) to the rest position, the control member (18) and the actuating member (31) are disconnected to minimize the time taken to complete the return movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bigazzi, Corrado Taviani
  • Patent number: 7469943
    Abstract: A door operating device is provided in a door of a vehicle and connected to a door latch allowing a striker of the vehicle to engage with or disengage from the door latch. The door operating device comprises an outside lever, a release lever under the outside lever and a locking lever connected to an actuator. In a locking position, only the outside lever rotates, while both the outside and release levers rotates in an unlocking position. The locking lever comprises first and second lever portions which separately move. If malfunction occurs, the second lever portion is moved by an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining and Smeling Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigenori Hiramoto
  • Patent number: 7467815
    Abstract: A latch (1) for a deck lid includes a load lever (41) that operates after the latch (1) is released to prevent the pawl (22) from immediately returning to a latched position. The load lever (41) acts on a pawl lever (21) which in turn acts on the pawl (22). The load lever (41) enables the latch (1) to release even under load such as that created by a heavy layer of snow on the deck lid. The load lever (41) only operates during the opening cycle of the latch (1) and automatically resets as the ratchet (29) moves to the fully open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Larsen, Jeffrey R. F. Domenchini, Keith A. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7458621
    Abstract: One actuator selectively operates a latch lever linked to a latch and a ratchet lever, a push rod, a bell crank and a pull rod linked to a ratchet. When the front door and the rear door of a car having the center pillarless design are closed, the actuator operates the latch lever causing the latch to engage with a striker to connect the front door and the rear door. When the front door and the rear door are connected and a passenger opens either of the two doors, the actuator operates the ratchet lever, the push rod, the bell crank, and the pull rod causing the latch and the striker to be disengaged to disconnect the front door and the rear door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Fujihara, Mikio Ichinose
  • Patent number: 7452013
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lock having a lock catch and a locking pawl. The lock catch may be brought into an opening position, a main locking position and a preliminary locking position. The locking pawl can be brought into a lowered and raised position. The locking pawl may be arranged to hold and release the lock catch in a direction of its opening position. A memory element is assigned to the locking pawl and arranged to keep the locking pawl in the raised position. The memory element may operate with a control apparatus. The locking pawl may be releasable by motor from the raised position and may further be moveable in a direction of its lowered position unhindered by the memory element. The release by motor of the locking pawl is controllable at a predetermined triggering time by the control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Checrallah Kachouh, Markus Kothe, Markus Zillert
  • Patent number: 7448237
    Abstract: To prevent an erroneous installation of a rotational detection lever and a rotational element, one of a plurality of toothed portions of a rotational element is made into a larger toothed portion which is larger in pitch and/or tooth height, and one of a plurality of tooth grooves of a rotation detection lever is made into a larger tooth groove which can mesh with the larger toothed portion when the rotational element and the rotation detection lever are positioned so as to correspond to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Shimada, Shingo Gotou, Hirotsugu Takai, Takasi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7445256
    Abstract: An actuating assembly for an automotive door latch device comprises a housing that operatively installs therein basic elements that are commonly used in an override function unit and a child proof function unit. The override function unit has a function wherein a manipulation of an inside door handle induces cancellation of the engaged condition of the latch means irrespective of the condition of the locking/unlocking means. The child proof function unit has a function wherein the manipulation of the inside door handle is made inoperative irrespective of the condition of the locking/unlocking means, thereby to make the cancellation of the engaged condition of the latch means impossible. The actuating assembly further comprises a cover that is coupled to the housing and holds thereon a selected element that is exclusively used in either one of the override function unit and the child proof function unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Gotou, Junichi Shimada, Hirotsugu Takai, Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7441815
    Abstract: When an inside lock button is operated for locking, an inner wire of a wire cable is drawn into an outer tube of the wire cable so that a lock lever shifts from an unlock state to a lock state, whereas when the inside lock button is operated for unlocking, the inner wire of the wire cable is pushed out of the outer tube of the wire cable so that the lock lever shifts from a lock state to an unlock state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Umino
  • Patent number: 7441814
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a vehicle lock device that can be shifted between a locked position and an unlocked position. The vehicle lock includes a lock casing and a cable sheath fixed in relation to the lock casing and in which a cable is displaceably arranged. The end of the cable pointing to the lock casing is designed, by pushing down the other end of the cable in the cable sheath, to be brought into engagement with a cable seat. The cable seat is operatively connected to a catch for actuation of the catch. By actuating the catch, it is disengaged from a rotary bolt, thereby releasing the bolt. In the lock casing there is an element designed to act upon the cable end pointing towards the lock casing. By doing so, the cable end is directed for engagement with the cable seat in the unlocked position, and is directed to the side of the cable seat in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Helmut Ponn, Stig Hermansson
  • Patent number: 7439453
    Abstract: Hinge mechanisms that facilitates access to internal components associated with a cabinet, e.g., a fiber optic cabinet, are provided. The hinge mechanisms are adapted for use with a telecommunication cabinet that is of low profile design, e.g., 1U or 2U height. The hinge mechanisms accommodate a combination of motions, e.g., a sliding motion and a hinging motion, whereby the limited space associated with a low profile cabinet is overcome and access to internal componentry, e.g., patch panels, is facilitated. A pair of hinge mechanisms are provided with a door. The hinge mechanisms mount outward of the cabinet so as to permit the door to be pivoted downward without engagement between with another cabinet or other structure positioned therebelow. A U-shaped member may be mounted to the door and sliding pins to translate motion from the hinge mechanisms to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Murano, Chester H. Rynaski
  • Patent number: 7438331
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a vehicle, which allows a door of a vehicle to be slidably moved, includes a door operation lever that is rotated when an inside knob is operated; a door holding unit that is released by rotation of the door operation lever; an operation output unit that is included in the inside knob; and a base plate on which the inside knob is arranged in such a manner that the inside knob is moved to be operated, and on which the door operation lever is arranged in such a manner that the door operation lever partially faces an area in which the operation output unit is moved in response to an operation of the inside knob. The door operation lever is rotated by making the operation output unit abut on the door operation lever when the inside knob is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Wakatsuki
  • Patent number: 7438330
    Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile door lock includes a rotatable rotor; a lever that is disposed so as to be swingable between a first position and a second position; and an engagement mechanism through which the lever is engaged with the rotor. The engagement mechanism also includes a protrusion that engages with the rotor; and a guide mechanism that makes, along with rotation of the rotor, the lever swing between the first position and the second position, and allows, when the rotor stops rotating, a movement of the lever without turning the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7434853
    Abstract: A door latch apparatus closes a door of a vehicle by, when a striker and a latch are in a first engagement state, shifting the striker and the latch into a second engagement state through an effective operation of an output lever by driving an actuator. When the shift of the striker and the latch into the second engagement state is restricted, the output lever is allowed to perform a retracting operation by driving the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Yamamoto, Michio Ohashi