Motor Patents (Class 292/201)
  • Patent number: 11242699
    Abstract: A closing aid for a motor-vehicle lock enables fast opening for a lock having a rotary latch. The rotary latch is latched by at least one pawl in a preliminary latching position and in a main latching position. The closing aid comprises a motor, by which the rotary latch is moved by motor force from the preliminary latching position into the main latching position such that an associated door or flap of a motor vehicle can be closed. The closing aid has a movable closing pawl for closing by motor force. By the motion of the closing pawl by the motor from an initial position into an end position along a first path, the rotary latch is brought from the preliminary latching position into the main latching position. The return motion of the closing pawl from the end position into the initial position occurs along a different, second path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Weichsel
  • Patent number: 11225814
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle door checker that includes: an open lever configured to rotate a pawl in an open direction; a handle open lever having a link pin insertion groove; an inner handle lever connected to an inner handle cable and including a first contact end and a second contact end configured to come into contact with the handle open lever while being rotated in the open direction; an inner link lever configured to come into contact with the first contact end when the inner handle lever is rotated in the open direction; an inner lock lever configured to share a rotation axis with the inner link lever; an elastic member fastened between the inner link lever and the inner lock lever; and a link including a link pin interlocked with rotation of the inner lock lever in an unlocking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Daedong Door Incorporated
    Inventor: Sung Hee Han
  • Patent number: 11225815
    Abstract: A compact vehicle side door latch apparatus has a latch that is rotated from an unlatched position to a fully-latched position, a ratchet that engages the latch in order to prevent the latch from being rotated in a releasing direction, a door opening link that is moved in a door opening direction in order to allow the ratchet to be disengaged from the latch, a motor that moves the door opening link in the door opening direction by motor power, and a door key lever that moves the door opening link in the door opening direction by an operation of a key plate. The door key lever is connected to the door opening link with play, and the motor power is transmitted to the door opening link without passing through disconnecting means of the power transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Taichiro Nagata, Yasuhiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 11214984
    Abstract: An electric strike having a keeper arranged to pivot about a shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, a lock lever for locking the keeper in a door-locking position, the lock lever being arranged to pivot about a second shaft extending in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the backside of the strike; and an actuation mechanism for actuating the lock lever. The strike is provided with a bearing element arranged to bear against the lock lever. The bearing element acts as a stop against possible lateral motions of the lock lever. Such motions may be induced by trying to force open the door lock when the lock lever is in the locking position. By providing the bearing element, it is avoided that the forces due to these lateral motions are exerted onto the second shaft that connects the lock lever to the strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: LOCINOX
    Inventor: Joseph Talpe
  • Patent number: 11203324
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely locking and unlocking vehicle accessory locks of vehicle accessories positioned on a vehicle are disclosed. The vehicle includes main doors with locks that are remotely lockable and unlockable using main door lock actuators. Vehicle includes a vehicle controller that receives a user signal from a user, first determines a main door actuation command based on the first signal, and first transmits, based on the main door actuation command, a first actuation command signal to the main door lock actuators. The system includes accessory lock actuator(s) operably coupled to the accessory lock(s), accessory lock controller(s) operably coupled to the accessory lock actuator(s), and a gateway controller operably coupled to the vehicle controller. Gateway controller second determines an accessory lock actuation command based on the first actuation command signal, and second transmits, based on the accessory lock actuation command, a gateway signal to the accessory lock controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Matthew Schroll, James C. Fournier
  • Patent number: 11187016
    Abstract: A power child lock operating device may include a rotating drive device; a first operating lever which receives the torque of the rotating drive device to be rotated; a second operating lever connected to the first operating lever to be moved together; a third operating lever connected to a door catch to lock or unlock the door catch; an inside handle lever connected to an inside handle disposed at a door of a vehicle to be moved together; a fourth operating lever selectively connecting the inside handle lever and the third operating lever; and an elastic member pressurizing to the fourth operating lever so that the third operating lever may be connected to the inside handle lever, improving the operation reliability the power child lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Yongdae Seo, Jinwoo Nam, Jinsang Chung, Dong Wuk Choi, Jae Hyun Seok, Seong Geun Byeon
  • Patent number: 11180934
    Abstract: An override mechanism for a cinching latch assembly includes a claw rotatable between open and closed positions, the claw spring biased toward the opened position to allow opening of a latch. Also included is a cinch drive link rotatable between an override and non-override positions, the cinch drive link in operative contact with the claw in the non-override position and disengaged from the claw in the override position, wherein operative contact between the claw and the cinch drive link biases the cinch drive link toward the override position. Further included is a guide surface. Yet further included is a cinch override lever defining an opening, the bearing of the cinch drive link disposed within the opening and moveable within the opening. Also included is a cinch override pawl rotatable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the engaged condition locking the cinch override lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins, Ian Dow, Adam Mather
  • Patent number: 11180937
    Abstract: A hood latch device may include a base having therein an insertion recess to receive a striker, a claw lever rotatably mounted to the base, the claw lever rotatable by the striker inserted into the insertion recess to surround and restrict the striker, a pawl lever rotatably mounted to a portion of the base, the pawl lever to restrict a rotation of the claw lever so that a rotational position of the claw lever corresponds to one of a first-stage locking state and a second-stage locking state depending on a contact position with the claw lever, a release lever rotatably mounted to the pawl lever to be rotated with the pawl lever, and an operating mechanism mounted to the base, the operating mechanism including a lever-rotating device to be rotated by receiving torque from a driving motor and to selectively rotate one of the claw lever and the pawl lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Il Kim, Hyun Duk Cho
  • Patent number: 11174661
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch, in particular a tailgate latch, which is equipped with a locking mechanism comprising a catch and a pawl. Furthermore, a triggering element working on the pawl is provided for which is set up at least to lift the pawl. Furthermore, a memory element, which at least guarantees an unimpeded opening movement of the catch when the pawl is lifted. The memory element maintains the pawl in its elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Adrin Wagner, Patrick Mullins, Ruben Reyna
  • Patent number: 11168497
    Abstract: A power actuator for a latch of a motor vehicle closure panel has an electric motor to rotate a lead screw about an axis. A nut is disposed about the lead screw for selective translation along the lead screw. A clutch plate is configured for selective rotation about the axis when engaged with the nut, with a biasing member biasing the nut out of engagement with the clutch plate when the electric motor is de-energized. A carrier member is coupled with the nut to cause the nut to translate into engagement with the clutch plate during rotation of the lead screw, whereupon the nut and carrier member co-rotate with the clutch plate and leadscrew. A driven member is operably coupled with the clutch plate and with the latch via a cable/rod, such that the driven member maintains the latch in a cinched state when the electric motor is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: John Distefano, Csaba Szente, Ilya Neyman
  • Patent number: 11162284
    Abstract: A power latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system configured to provide a power cinching feature and a power release feature. The power cinching feature is configured to retain the ratchet in a cinched striker capture position with the pawl engaged from the ratchet. The power release feature is configured to move the ratchet from its cinched striker capture position to a cinch release striker capture position for unloading the seals prior to release of the ratchet to its striker release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Franco Giovanni Ottino, Francesco Cumbo, Marco Taurasi, Enrico Margheritti
  • Patent number: 11149473
    Abstract: A door closing apparatus includes a latching mechanism including a latch, a closing mechanism configured to shift the latching mechanism from a half latching state to a fully latching state, and a driving source configured to operate the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism includes a closing lever that is rotated by power of the driving source, a closing arm that is translated in response to a rotation of the closing lever to be linked with the latch and a cancelling lever that rotates in response to an operation of a door opening operation source. The closing lever has a closing lever shaft that is supported by the cancelling lever, and the supporting of the closing lever shaft by the cancelling lever is cancelled by a rotation of the cancelling lever in response to an operation of the door opening operation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11136795
    Abstract: A latch apparatus of a tailgate for a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base supporting a driving motor for supplying power and having an insertion groove for inserting a striker. A latch lever is rotatably disposed close to the insertion groove of the base. The latch lever is pushed to rotate when the striker is inserted into the insertion groove, and covers the striker inserted in the insertion groove. A release unit is disposed close to the latch lever on the base. The release unit is configured to transmit power from the driving motor, fix a position of the latch lever rotating to cover the striker, and allow the latch lever to rotate when the driving motor is operated. A cinching unit, operated by the power from the driving motor, is disposed close to the release unit on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yong Hyuck Im, Jung Min Eom
  • Patent number: 11136793
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch apparatus is provided that shortens the time to switch the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position. A vehicle door latch apparatus according to the present invention comprises a latch that is engaged with a striker in order to keep a vehicle door in a half-latched state or a full-latched state; a ratchet that is engaged with the latch in order to keep the latch engaged with the striker; an opening link 27 that abuts against the ratchet in order to release the ratchet from the latch when the opening link is moved in a door opening direction in an door opening operation of an outer door opening handle; a locking lever 28 that can be switched between a locked position that prevents the ratchet from being released by the opening link and an unlocked position that allows the ratchet to be released; and a locking actuator 39 that switches the locking lever between the locked position and the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nagaoka, Hideaki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 11135904
    Abstract: A vehicle door presenting system includes an actuator striker positioned at one of a vehicle body surface or a vehicle door, and an actuator positioned at the other of the vehicle body surface or the vehicle door and engagable with the actuator striker. The actuator is configured to move the vehicle door between a fully closed position and a partially open position via interaction between the actuator and the actuator striker. The actuator includes a retaining portion to maintain engagement with the actuator striker. The retaining portion retains the vehicle door in the partially open position to prevent the vehicle door from moving toward a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Philippe Ottolini, Mathias Barth
  • Patent number: 11118379
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor vehicle door lock includes using a control unit. After actuating the inner door handle the control unit, the switch positions of the switch are queried, and depending on the position of a locking mechanism sensor, a drive is activated or deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Christian Barmscheidt
  • Patent number: 11110840
    Abstract: A latching device for motor vehicle applications, in particular to a multi-position backrest latch for locking and unlocking seat backrests in motor vehicles. The basic structure of the device has a locking mechanism substantially consisting of a catch and pawls, and also has a locking pin that interacts with the locking mechanism, and a cam element, which acts upon the locking pin in the direction of an open position. According to the invention, the cam element acts on a blocking element which engages over the locking pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill
  • Patent number: 11091210
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock for a hatch leaf including a catch, for the interaction with a lock striker, pivotable around a catch axis from an open position in a closing direction into a main closed position. A pawl pivotable around a pawl axis from a release position in an engagement direction into a main engagement position. The pawl including a main holding surface that when the pawl is in a main closed position or a main engagement position, the main holding surface holds the catch. A cinching mechanism may drive the catch in a closing direction to a main closed position. The cinching mechanism including a pawl cinching contour and a catch cinching contour, such that as the pawl moves in an engagement direction, the pawl may drive the catch to produce the catch cinching movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Schließsysteme GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Wuppertal
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11085212
    Abstract: An exemplary motor vehicle assembly includes a handle concealing assembly rotatable back and forth between a concealing position that blocks access to a door handle and a revealing position that permits access to the door handle. The door handle is separate from the handle concealing assembly. An exemplary method includes, among other things, rotating a handle concealing assembly back and forth between a concealing position that blocks access to a door handle and a revealing position that permits access to the door handle. The door handle is separate from the handle concealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jorge Suarez Rivaya
  • Patent number: 11078694
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a motor vehicle door lock that is equipped with a lock housing (4), also with a lock cylinder nut (3) supported in the lock housing (4), and at least one locking element (9) that can be acted upon by the lock cylinder nut (3) via a positioning element (8). According to the invention, the lock cylinder nut (3) has a connected eccentric element (6). Said eccentric element (6) engages in an eccentric mounting (7) of positioning element (8) in order to displace it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Robert S. Pettengill
  • Patent number: 11078689
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle lock, wherein the motor vehicle lock comprises an actuating lever which is pivotable about an actuating lever axis. The motor vehicle lock has an adjustable crash element which is adjustable into a released position in which the locking pawl is disengageable by an actuation of the actuating lever and into a crash position in which the crash element blocks the actuating lever in a blocked position or decouples the actuating lever from the locking pawl. It is proposed that the crash element is coupled to the actuating lever such that, with an actuation of the actuating lever and depending on the actuating lever speed, the crash element reaches the released position from a central position either in a first adjusting direction or the crash element reaches the crash position in a second adjusting direction and is latched in the crash position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ludger Graute, David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11072950
    Abstract: A closure latch assembly for a motor vehicle closure system includes a power release mechanism and an inside handle release mechanism mechanically connected to an inside door handle. The power release mechanism is used to shift the inside handle release mechanism from a normally Disengaged operating state to an Engaged operating state. In the Disengaged state, the inside handle release mechanism is uncoupled from the latch release chain of components to prevent latch release via actuation of the inside door handle. In the Engaged state, the inside handle release mechanism is coupled for the latch release chain of components to permit latch release via actuation of the inside door handle. The power release mechanism only shifts the inside release mechanism from its Disengaged state into its Engaged state in the event of an emergency condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Marco Taurasi
  • Patent number: 11072951
    Abstract: A door latch assembly, includes: a catch support assembly, the catch support assembly including a strike body having a pin receiving aperture therein; a catch arm assembly rotatably mounted to the catch support assembly; a latch pin positioned in the pin receiving aperture and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the latch pin protruding above the strike body in the extended position to impede rotational movement of the catch arm assembly; and a first roller mounted to the catch arm assembly and configured to engage a first side of the latch pin in the extended position; and a second roller mounted to the catch support assembly and configured to engage a second side of the latch pin in the extended position. The latch pin includes a material having a hardness of 60 Rockwell C or more, the first roller includes a material having a hardness of 33 Rockwell C or less, and the second roller includes a material having a hardness of 60 Rockwell C or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James J. Kunda
  • Patent number: 11072947
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock (1) for a motor vehicle, in particular a side door lock, comprising a locking mechanism (7), a triggering lever (6), an actuating lever (2) and a coupling lever (3), wherein the triggering lever (6) can be coupled to the actuating lever (2) by means of the coupling lever (3), and a means for controlling the coupling lever (3), wherein the coupling lever (3) can be guided by means of a control cam (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Uwe Reddmann
  • Patent number: 11072944
    Abstract: An improved structure of an electronic lock includes an outside-door assembly, a lock middle, an inside-door assembly, and a latch. The outside-door assembly is mounted to an outer side of a door panel. The lock middle is connected to the outside-door assembly. The inside-door assembly is connected to the lock middle and is mounted to an inner side of the door panel. The latch is connected to the latch coupler. With a code entered, an electrically-driven valve of the lock middle causes a guide block and a projection block to extend outward to have an outside handle and the lock middle to synchronously operate for opening the door. Alternatively, a key may be used to open the door. If such a code and a key are both not available, the outside handle and the lock middle do not synchronously operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: FU CHANG LOCKS MFG. CORP., LEON SPECIALTY INC.
    Inventor: Fu-Chang Peng
  • Patent number: 11066853
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for a vehicle latch includes a cable link. Also included is a pawl release link, the cable link and the pawl release link switchable between an engaged condition and a disengaged condition, the engaged condition allowed manual release of the vehicle latch, the disengaged condition preventing release of the vehicle latch. Further included is an electrically driven gear operatively coupled to the cable link and the pawl release link to reset the cable link and the pawl release link to the disengaged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 11021896
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock device includes an engagement mechanism that engages with a striker to hold the door closed; a positioned outside a vehicle; a locking mechanism that turns an unlock state for enabling the engagement mechanism to be released based on a door-opening action of the outside handle with a locking motor as a drive source and a lock state for making releasing impossible, a control that enables an operation of the switches when an external transmitter is authenticated and cancels it when it is not authenticated; and an electric release mechanism that can release the engagement mechanism regardless of a state of the locking mechanism by releasing a releasing motor as a drive source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mikio Ichinose
  • Patent number: 11007888
    Abstract: A vehicle include: an AC inlet configured to be connectable to an AC connector; a DC inlet configured to be connectable to a DC connector; a first actuator configured to perform a locking operation and an unlocking operation for an AC lid configured to cover the AC inlet; a second actuator configured to perform a locking operation and an unlocking operation for a DC lid configured to cover the DC inlet; a first electric power line; a second electric power line; a lock relay connected to one end of the first electric power line; and an unlock relay connected to one end of the second electric power line. The first actuator and the second actuator are connected in parallel with each other between the other end of the first electric power line and the other end of the second electric power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noriaki Aburai
  • Patent number: 11008786
    Abstract: A trunk lid latch assembly for a vehicle may include a main gear rotated by a drive motor provided at the base, wherein an error lever, a pawl lever, a plurality of links, and a cinching member are rotated in conjunction with rotation of the main gear, and thus a striker is locked or unlocked from the claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Hyuck Im, Mun Bae Tak
  • Patent number: 10995526
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door latch system, more particularly to a door latch system which includes: a stopping lever unit rotatably installed in the main locking member; a stopping threshold formed in the sub-locking member wherein a stopping protrusion is being caught; and a locking plate slidingly installed in a housing for rotating the stopping lever unit, wherein a lever guide portion is formed in the locking plate, and a guide bar is formed in the stopping lever unit, so that the rotation of the stopping lever unit is accomplished as the guide bar is guided by the lever guide portion, and the stopping lever unit can be coupled to or separated from the stopping threshold in accordance with sliding of the locking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Woobo Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hae Il Jeong
  • Patent number: 10968664
    Abstract: An exit device according to one embodiment includes a plurality of sensors and an electronic dogging mechanism. The exit device is configured to locally analyze sensor data to determine the security state of the exit device, report data to a management system via a wireless communication channel established between the exit device and the management system, and receive and process instructions to perform an electronic dogging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Arlinghaus, Jack R. Lehner, Jr., Evan Ballard
  • Patent number: 10954701
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock device comprises a locking mechanism, a locking motor, an electric release mechanism, an opening lever, and an outside handle. An ECU includes an authenticating portion. When the authenticating portion authenticates a signal from a transmitter and the locking mechanism starts switching from a locking state to an unlocking state by the locking motor, ECU controls a releasing motor so that the electric release mechanism is actuated because a switch detects door-opening action of the outside handle. The locking mechanism is switched to the unlocking state without contacting the opening lever from a direction where the opening lever cannot be actuated. A locked door can be opened with the outside handle at a single action and prevents a panic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventor: Mikio Ichinose
  • Patent number: 10941592
    Abstract: A latch for a vehicle hood and method of construction thereof is provided. The latch includes a housing; a ratchet pivotally mounted on the housing and a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing for pivoting between a first position in locked engagement with the ratchet and a second position out of locked engagement with the ratchet, with the pawl being biased into the first position. A pawl lever is pivotally mounted on the housing to engage the pawl and rotate the pawl from the first position to the second position. A double pull lever having an abutment surface is pivotally mounted on the pawl lever. A safety catch member is pivotally mounted on the housing, wherein the safety catch member selectively engages the abutment surface of the double pull lever to pivot the safety catch member from a locked first position to an unlocked second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Magna Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Marco Taurasi
  • Patent number: 10920464
    Abstract: A tailgate opening and closing device for a vehicle may include a main gear disposed at a base, to be driven by a drive motor, and a lever assembly having an error lever, a pawl lever, a release lever, and a cinching lever. The lever assembly pivots in accordance with a rotation of the main gear the main gear, achieving locking or unlocking of a striker by a claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, PYEONG HWA AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Hyuck Im, Ki Ryun Ahn
  • Patent number: 10897180
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voice coil actuator direct-drive resonant flapper system for flapping wing micro air vehicles and flapping fin autonomous underwater vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xinyan Deng, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10889169
    Abstract: A latching assembly for use on a pick-up truck, and particularly on a truck bed cover configured to sit over a truck bed section is provided. The latching assembly includes an electronic release assembly and a mechanical override system. An electronic release assembly includes a first rod coupled to a first electronic actuator and a second rod coupled to a second electronic actuator. The electronic release assembly also includes a first electronic actuator that selectively moves the first latch catch and the second electronic actuator that selectively moves the second latch catch. A switch is engaged to send a signal to the first and second electronic actuators to cause the first and second latch catches to disengage from the truck bed section. The first and second rods and the first and second electronic actuators also serve as part of a mechanical override system that selectively unlatches at least a portion of the truck bed cover from the truck bed section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Truck Accessories Group, LLC
    Inventors: Ernest M. Mcdonald, II, Eugene Andrew Dylewski, II, Christopher David Mattison
  • Patent number: 10876329
    Abstract: An electrical latch for a closure system of a motor vehicle and method of operating are provided. The electrical latch includes a latching mechanism having a pawl and ratchet, a cinching mechanism having a cinching lever, and an electric actuator mechanism for actuating at least the cinching lever. The electrical latch further includes a control unit powered by a main power source and having a control circuit controlling operation of the actuator mechanism to affect the position of the cinch lever, and a backup energy source providing power to the control circuit and the actuator mechanism in the event a fault condition is experienced by the main power source. The electrical latch is configured to return the cinching lever to a home uncinched position in response to switching of power from the main power source to the backup energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Davide Dente, Emanuele Leonardi, Antonio Frello
  • Patent number: 10858866
    Abstract: A housing for a vehicle latch is provided. The housing having a fluid pathway extending from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing through a perimeter wall, wherein the fluid pathway is defined by an inclined surface that extends downwardly and away from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Manuel Madrid, Francisco Javier Guevara, Manuel Escamilla
  • Patent number: 10851490
    Abstract: A door lock comprises an electromagnet (410), a latch shaft (320), a crank device (430) and the like. The crank device (430) is connected with the latch shaft (320) and driven by the electromagnet (410) to transform the linear motion of the electromagnet (410) into the rotary motion of the latch shaft (320). When the electromagnet (410) pushes or pulls the crank device (430), a latch head (202) rotates around an axis so that it can move to a locked position or an unlocked position. The door lock (200) of the present invention can transform the linear motion of the electromagnet (410) into the rotary motion of the latch head (202), so that the latch head (202) can be conveniently installed on the lateral surface rather than at an end of the door lock (200). The door lock (200) can be advantageously installed in the middle gap of a front panel (102) along an edge of a control panel of the washing machine (100) to lock the upper cover (101) from the middle part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 10851565
    Abstract: A rotary lock actuator for manual or powered actuation of a lock for vehicle doors is disclosed. The actuator has a motorized drive train and an actuating member movable between first and second positions. A manual drive member and a powered drive member each have first and second drive surfaces spaced apart from one another. A drive wedge is disposed in the spaces between the first and second drive surfaces of each drive member such that the drive wedge is engageable with the actuating member. The first driving surface of each drive member engages the wedge for moving the actuating member from a first position toward a second position upon movement of one of the drive members. The drive wedge is engageable by the second driving surface of each drive member for moving the actuating member from a second position toward the first position upon movement a drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Questek Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Dale R. Krueger
  • Patent number: 10844639
    Abstract: A latch assembly and a method of disengaging the latch assembly for a vehicle door are provided. In particular, the latch assembly includes a releasing lever that is moveably attached to the latch assembly via a pawl and is moveable between an engaged and disengaged position to unlatch the latch assembly. Additionally, a lock lever interacts with an override assembly to control whether the vehicle door is opened. The override assembly requires two movements to move the lock lever to an unlocked position and to open the latch during a power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: James Nelsen
  • Patent number: 10844641
    Abstract: A lock with a locking mechanism including a rotary latch—preferably at least partially composed of metal—with a load arm and a catch arm, which is rotatably mounted on a catch axis, and which can receive a locking bolt, where the distance between the inner end of the locking bolt and the contact point between locking bolt and load arm is shorter than the distance between the contact point between locking bolt and load arm and the outer end of the locking bolt. The opening forces of a vehicle lock are minimised as a result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Schiffer, Omer Inan, Michael Scholz
  • Patent number: 10843589
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat including: a striker and a lock mechanism including: a base plate; a hook supported rotatably by a hook shaft to the base plate and capable of forming a locked state and an unlocked state; a pawl supported rotatably by a pawl shaft to the base plate; and a cam supported rotatably by the pawl shaft to the base plate, and the cam is rotationally biased by a first torsion coil spring, and the pawl is rotationally biased by a second torsion coil spring, and the coil of the second torsion coil spring has a larger diameter and a smaller length in a central axis direction of the coil than the coil of the first torsion coil spring, and one end of the first torsion coil spring is provided on a radially outer side than the coil of the second torsion coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daishi Yaguchi, Shun Fujishiro
  • Patent number: 10837205
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door latch device that prevents a latch from being held in a half-latch position when a door opens and enables itself to be smaller. The door latch device comprises a latch that is pivotally mounted via a first shaft to engage with a striker; a pawl that can hold the latch in a full-latch or a half-latch position; a memory lever pivotally mounted via a third shaft not to overlap the latch or the pawl, the memory lever enables holding the pawl in a release position without the full-latch position or half-latch position when the pawl rotates in a releasing direction from the full-latch position; and a releasing portion enabling the pawl to rotate from the release position to the half-latch or full-latch position when the latch rotates from the full-latch position toward an open position to be in between the half-latch position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: GECOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 10829964
    Abstract: A vehicular door latch device includes a latch, a ratchet, a locking and unlocking mechanism, and a rotation member. The latch rotates in accordance with closing of a door while a striker provided in a vehicle body is engaged. When the door is in a fully-closed state, the ratchet holds the latch in a first posture. When the door is in a half-closed state, the ratchet holds the latch in a second posture. The mechanism is switched between an unlocked posture that can cancel interlock, and a locked posture that cannot cancel the interlock. When the latch is in the second posture, the rotation member overlaps the switching route and prohibits the posture change. When coming into contact with the rotation member overlapping the switching route, the mechanism in the unlocked posture is switched to the unlocked posture by rotation of a portion thereof in contact with the rotation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventor: Shuntaro Kimura
  • Patent number: 10829965
    Abstract: Provide a door latch device that allowing a childproof-double-lock mechanism is simplified and the size of the door latch device is miniaturized. While supporting a childproof lever and a double lock lever by a support shaft, coordinating the childproof lever and the double lock lever by an interlocking means and for moving the double lock lever in the direction of a double-lock position in conjunction with the childproof lever and the double lock lever move to the 3rd position from the 2nd position where is a childproof lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Gecom Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Farris, Brian Kepler, Aaron Martin
  • Patent number: 10808433
    Abstract: A tailgate opening and closing device for a vehicle may include a main gear disposed at a base, to be driven by a drive motor, and a lever assembly having a plurality of links operated by the main gear, for locking or unlocking of a striker by a claw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Pyeong Hwa Automotive Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Hyuck Im, Mun Bae Tak
  • Patent number: 10808435
    Abstract: A latch includes a housing, a fork bolt operably coupled to the housing and pivotal between an unlatched position, a primary latched position, and a secondary latched position, and a detent lever operably coupled to the housing and arranged to cooperate with the fork bolt. A drive link is operatively connected to the fork bolt and to the detent lever. An override lever is operably coupled to the drive link. A manual release lever is operably coupled to the override lever. The manual release lever is movable between a rest position and a release position. The drive link is automatically moved out of a path of rotation of the fork bolt when the manual release lever is moved to the release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Eduardo Estrada, Manuel Escamilla, Donald M. Perkins
  • Patent number: 10801397
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an actuator connected to a turbocharger via a connecting arrangement. In one example, a system may include a connection arrangement which yields above a threshold force. The yielding of the connection arrangement may allow the movement of the actuator in a predetermined direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Meckenstock, Michael Spurling, Marius Sawatzki
  • Patent number: 10798830
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display module configured to display a screen, a frame configured to support the display module, a magnetic coupling device configured to couple the frame to the display module by pulling the display module toward the frame by using the magnetic attraction force, and a separation prevention device configured to mechanically prevent the display module from being separated from the frame and configured to be operated by the magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang Sung Hwang, Yoon Ah Kim, Sang Ki Yoon, Huu Lam Vuong Nguyen, Jin Jung