Rigid Patents (Class 292/202)
  • Patent number: 7984935
    Abstract: An exemplary latching mechanism for connecting a first component (20) and a second component (40). The latching mechanism includes at least one first engaging portion (408) formed/defined on the second component, at least one latch holder (60a, 60b) fixed relative to the first component, and at least one first latching member (80a, 80b). A first latch-clasping piece (604) extends from the at least one latch holder. The at least one first latching member has at least one second engaging portion (806). The second engaging portion engages with the first engaging portion of the second component. The first engaging portion of the second component and the first latching member are disposed between the first latch-clasping piece of the latch holder and the first component. The present invention further provides an electronic device employing the latching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Ping Luo, Jia-Gui Xu, Qi-Mi Huang
  • Patent number: 7958603
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary handle for a closing mechanism of a sash of a window, a leaf of a door, or the like, particularly a sliding sash or leaf, comprising an actuating grip, which in the neutral position can be disposed such that it is retracted in the sash or leaf at least partially with regard to the height and which can be pivoted from the neutral position in a working position as a folding grip such that it protrudes, wherein in the working position it can be rotated about a rotational axis. An operating element is provided, which is used to bring about a coupling or decoupling position in relation to a control element, which rotates together with the actuating grip in the coupling position and does not rotate along in the decoupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Roto Frank AG
    Inventors: Gonzalo Rivera Franco, Francisco Cãnas Diaz
  • Publication number: 20110101710
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for releaseably latching or holding a first member with respect to a second member in a structure. The latch mechanism includes a bolt assembly, mounting brackets, and a locking trigger. The latch mechanism also includes a rotatable locking cam for providing retention of the bolt assembly in a latched or locked condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: HARTWELL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven P. Elbrecht, James R. Hernandez
  • Patent number: 7864518
    Abstract: The invention is related to a computer enclosure. The computer enclosure includes a chassis, an expansion card, and a rotating member. The expansion card includes a shield plate which has a bent end formed thereon. The chassis includes a sidewall. A slot is defined in the sidewall. The sidewall forms a support plate at a side of the slot. The sidewall is capable of accepting the shield plate of the expansion card to shield the slot of the sidewall, and the support plate is configured to accepting the bent end of the expansion card. The rotating member includes an arm. The rotating member is capable of rotating on the sidewall to a locked position. In the locked position, the arm is capable of exerting force on the bent end of the expansion card located on the support plate, and the locked position is capable of securing the expansion card on the sidewall of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Kang Wu, Lung-Sheng Tsai, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7802826
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes at least one latch unit having a latch unit housing, a latch notch provided in the latch unit housing, a lock bracket pivotally mounted in the latch unit housing adjacent to the latch notch and positional between latched and unlatched positions and an actuating arm engaging the lock bracket; a torque shaft coupled to the actuating arm; a handle unit having a handle housing and a handle plate pivotally mounted in the handle housing and coupled to the torque shaft; and at least one position indicator lip provided on the handle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: R The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Chad D. Schmitz, Jai W. Eller, Richard J. LaConte, Brian Henderson
  • Patent number: 7775566
    Abstract: A push-button box-opening structure is provided in which a push button is pushed in from an unlocking starting position to an unlocking position to open a storage box. The unlocking starting position is set at a position where the push button is pushed in a given depth from a pushing-in starting position so as to prevent inadvertent opening of the storage box. The storage box does not open when the button is inadvertently pushed in up to the given depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hanjono, Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20100181782
    Abstract: A locking arrangement for a door includes an upright operating bar (1) mounted on the door for angular movement about its axis and a handle (3) which is connected to the operating bar by a pivotal connection for engagement with a closure mechanism (7,8). The handle and the closure mechanism include co-operating apertures (9). A housing (11) is adapted to cover the pivotal connection of the handle and at least a part of the closure mechanism. A releasable securing means (35) passes through apertures formed in both the handle and the closure mechanism and secures the housing relative to the handle and the closure mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: LOKSYS LTD.
    Inventor: Andrew Charles Harrison
  • Publication number: 20090267360
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pawl assembly that can be installed to the output shaft of a latch mechanism more easily, and in some embodiments without the use of tools, as compared to prior art pawls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: SOUTHCO, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn E. Anderson, Richard E. Schlack, D. Dale Turner, James Vickers, Stephen K. Spatig, Richard B. Langkamp, H. Allen Riblett
  • Patent number: 7480132
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a cover (1) unit and a base unit (2) connected with the cover unit. The cover unit includes a movable latch member (30), and a driving button (40). The latch member includes a pair of slanted slots (34) defined therein. The driving button includes a pair of driving posts (44) moving in the slanted slots. The cover unit is latched to the base unit via the latch member to cover the base unit and unlatched from the base unit via moving the latch member by manipulation of the driving button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Chu Wu, Xiao-Gang Jiang, Xin-Hu Gong
  • Patent number: 7475921
    Abstract: A device with an equipment door (10), an actuator unit (12) and a bolting device element (14) for bolting the equipment door (10), particularly when performing a pyrolysis function, wherein the actuator unit (12) is provided for bringing the bolting device element (14) into engagement with a corresponding bolting device element (15) of the equipment door (10) for locking the equipment door (10) when the equipment door (10) is closed. The bolting device element (14) may be rotatable about a rotating axis (16) running at least essentially perpendicularly to a door plane of the equipment door (10) when the equipment door (10) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Knoll, Rainer Lebacher, Jorg Rosenbauer, Michael Wagner
  • Patent number: 7441425
    Abstract: An improved door lock of a cargo container having a burglarproof function is disclosed. The door lock includes a handle hub, in which supporting pieces are integrally formed, welded to a locking rod, a rear supporting piece of the supporting pieces having a fastening hole, a front supporting piece of the supporting pieces integrated with an inward locking protrusion having a screw coupling groove, a handle including a connecting part and having a locking recess with a fastening hole such that the inward locking protrusion of the front supporting piece is inserted into and locked in the fastening hole due to pivot of the handle, and a bolt fastened into the screw coupling groove through the fastening hole of the rear supporting piece. Therefore, robbery is prevented and tamper-evident is easily checked during transfer of the cargo container so that measure against the tamper-evident can be easily taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Kum-Sik Jeong
  • Patent number: 7350382
    Abstract: A turnbuckle lock for use on a thin-walled door includes a locking tongue and actuating mechanism that are formed as one piece with one another. An inner seal disposed between the housing and actuating mechanism is formed by being sprayed onto the housing. The actuating member and the housing member enclosing the actuating mechanism are permanently connected to each other, and the inner seal is placed inside at least one free space formed on the actuating mechanism. The inner seal and outer seal also may be formed as a one-piece element. By the permanent connection of the housing and the component made up of the actuating mechanism and the locking tongue, it is ensured that the locking tongue cannot be detached from the actuating mechanism, so that the locking function of the turnbuckle lock is always provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7331617
    Abstract: A lock for a cabinet of the type wherein a door of the cabinet is movable through a frame of the cabinet is provided. An exemplary lock of the present invention includes a first and second restraining member connected by a rod and rotatable around an axis of rotation between a first position wherein a cabinet member is trapped between the restraining members and the door can not move through the frame and a second position wherein the door is freely movable through the frame. The lock optionally includes a mounting member having a rod-retaining section and optionally one or more rotation locks and/or one or more rotation restraints. The restraining members are optionally sized and shaped to facilitate rotation between the first and second position while accommodating different sizes and specifications of cabinet types. The lock optionally includes one or more strengthening members and end extensions angled on one or both ends of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Brian D. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070158955
    Abstract: Decompression locks are required in order to achieve a rapid compensation of pressure in case of a sudden increase in pressure in one of two areas which are separated by a pressure tight wall. Decompression locks are used where different pressures in two separate areas have to be compensated rapidly. The purpose of this invention is to provide an improved decompression lock or an improved structural unit with two adjacent decompression locks acting in opposite directions. The improvements include a reduction in weight, simplified installation, a lower number of constituent parts, and a resulting reduction in overall cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Bernhard Homner
  • Patent number: 7093865
    Abstract: A lid locking apparatus has a storage member, a lid, a knob member having a first abutment portion, a lock member having a second abutment portion and first and second biasing members. When the lid is in a closed position, the lock member locks the lid, when the knob member is in a closed position, the first biasing member biases the first and second abutment portions so as to abut each other, when the knob member is opened, the first biasing member biases to swing the lock member and the knob member integrally to thereby release the locked state, and when the lid is closed, the second biasing member biases the knob member in a direction towards the closed position to separate the abutment portions to thereby allow the lock member to swing independently even in the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Furuya
  • Patent number: 6981540
    Abstract: A tent door which opens and closes in a manner similar to that of a regular house door, yet is in keeping with the requirements for mobility of being light-weight and easily taken apart or reassembled. Such a door being comprised of a fabric panel (54), supported by a rigid frame (22). The frame of this door panel is hinged to a similar frame (20) attached to the perimeter of a cutout opening (56) in the tent wall, against which the door closes. A latch secures the door and allows it to be released for opening by means of a single action which can be performed using just one hand. These are all takedown assemblies connected with manually operated fasteners and employing the lightest or smallest possible components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventor: Armand O. Deblois
  • Patent number: 6942256
    Abstract: Door Catch with a catch retaining assembly and a catch. The catch assembly is comprised of a rigid first ball retaining mounting plate, a first ball, a concave disk, a rigid J shaped rod and a second ball retaining cup shape. The catch is comprised of a door mounting plate, an L shaped rod terminating at one end in the door mounting plate and at the opposite end in a second ball. The J shaped rod terminates at its top portion in the second ball retaining cup and at the lower portion in the first ball. The first ball retaining plate includes a centrally disposed concave ball retaining portion including a vertically disposed slot capable of receiving the J shaped rod. The ball retaining cup is capable of fitting snuggly over the the second ball so that no rattling can occur between the retaining cup and the the second ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventor: Ron Amy
  • Patent number: 6938286
    Abstract: A crib is sized to permit the legs of a wheel chair bound care giver to fit beneath the bed. The access side of the crib is equipped with at least one laterally opening door which folds out of the way to provide access to the infant. More preferably, the access side of the crib is formed by a pair of bi-fold doors which are secured by a pair of latches which are resistant to operation by anyone other than the caregiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Brack E Smith
  • Patent number: 6937467
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a device for fastening adapter cards on a frame of a computer case, which comprises an IO port positioning frame on a panel of the case having a first slot at one end and a second slot at an the other end, and a fastening assembly having a first snapping element at one end, a second snapping element at the other end, and a plurality of equally spaced apart fastening elements along one side of a longitudinal part of the fastening assembly between the first and the second snapping elements. Whereby snapping the fastening assembly onto the frame will fasten the adapter cards at the frame easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 6937368
    Abstract: A locking device for locking a movable module of an electronic apparatus disclosed by the invention mainly includes a control member and a latch connected to the control member. The control member is selectively movable between a first position for locking the movable module and a second position for releasing the movable module. When the latch stops at the first position, it also latches onto an operational interface or a mechanism component so as to prevent the user from electrically or mechanically operating the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Te Liu
  • Patent number: 6914775
    Abstract: A main unit casing assembly for electronic products is provided, including a casing and a plurality of body panels. The body panels are directly assembled to the casing to cover the casing and form a containing space, thereby not having to use a top casing of a main unit of the electronic product in the prior art. The use of this casing assembly can reduce the thickness of the casing assembly while still maintaining structural strength of the casing assembly, making the electronic product with such a casing assembly more compact in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Sung-Ming Song
  • Patent number: 6874825
    Abstract: A drawer locking assembly includes a panel has a first side and a second side. The first side has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon for selectively attaching the first side to a vertical surface adjacent to a drawer. A post is attached to the second side of the panel. The post has a terminal end. A peripheral lip is attached to and extends along a length of the terminal end. A plate has an inner surface and an outer surface. A sleeve is attached to and extends away from the inner surface. The sleeve has a free end having a well extending therein. An inwardly extending peripheral flange is attached to the free end. The terminal end of the post is positioned within the sleeve. The plate is selectively positionable over the drawer. A biasing member is positioned within the well and biases the lip away from the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Paula M. Rauner
  • Patent number: 6830270
    Abstract: A window latch for use with a window frame comprises a main body having a top portion and a bottom portion. A locking member extending through the main body pivotally mounting therein having a lock arm extending out the bottom portion and a manually operable handle exposed at the top portion. A shoulder separating the top and bottom portion so that the bottom portion projects downwardly from the shoulder. A flange portion at one end of the bottom portion projecting along the main body generally parallel to the shoulder and spaced from the shoulder leaving a recess therebetween. Wherein the bottom portion is arranged to be inserted into a hole cut into a top wall of a window frame such that shoulder sits on a top surface of the top wall and the flange engages underneath a lip of the top wall with the lip being received in the recess thus supporting the respective end of the main body to the frame and a fastener for holding an opposed end of the main body within the hole in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Inductec Alchemist (1987) Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick G. Ellis, Gerald Bruce Hiebert
  • Patent number: 6698853
    Abstract: A computer enclosure (1) includes a chassis (10), a cover (20), a turn support (40) and a locking device (50). The chassis defines a plurality of slots (17) in a pair of opposite sills (16) thereof. The cover has a plurality of catches (21) for the engagement with the chassis at the slots. The turn support is attached to the chassis. The locking device includes a turn cap (60), a cam (52), a washer (54), and a bolt (56). The turn cap and cam are rotatably secured to the cover with the washer and the bolt. Rotation of the turn cap causes corresponding rotation of the cam. When rotated, the cam acts on flanges (46, 48) at an opening (42) of the turn support. The locking device thereby drives the cover to move forward or rearward. The catches of the cover accordingly engage with or disengage from the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Kuo Chih Lin, Jung Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6676176
    Abstract: Performance and aesthetic attractiveness of industrial enclosures of the type used to house electrical and hydraulic equipment are enhanced through use of an improved quick-release fastener for attaching removable access panels of such enclosures. The improved fastener includes a split bushing with integral retaining tangs configured for retaining the quick-release fastener in access panels having different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventor: Robert H. Quandt
  • Patent number: 6676177
    Abstract: A quarter turn latch for joining a cover to a housing of an enclosure enables a technician to lock the enclosure by simply slamming the cover shut. The latch also enables a technician to unlock the enclosure by rotating the shaft by a quarter turn. The latch includes a shaft and a clasp. The shaft includes a head and a tail. The tail includes peripherally alternating sets of longitudinally spaced teeth and tail cam surfaces. Each tooth has a shoulder facing the head of the shaft and a tooth cam surface. The perimeter of a cross section of each tail cam surface is arcuate. The clasp includes pawls. When the tail is inserted into the clasp, each pawl is in contact with the tail cam surface, the tooth cam surface, or the shoulder. The latch prevents unauthorized access to the enclosure by requiring specific tools to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bassel H. Daoud, David S. Kerr, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Patent number: 6659516
    Abstract: The invention generally pertains to a portable computer having a base and a lid. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved locking system for securing the base relative to the lid. One aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is placed in a recess when the lid is opened so as to eliminate unsightly and harmful protrusions. Another aspect of the invention relates to a latch that is automatically extracted from the recess when the lid is closed so as to secure the lid to the base. For example, a magnetic actuator may be used to automatically extract the latch when the lid is closed. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a button for releasing the secured latch so as to allow the lid to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyue-Yang Wang, John C. DiFonzo, Daniele De Iuliis, Andrew L. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6659575
    Abstract: A cabinet cover construction for a formed sheet metal cabinet includes a front edge with two angled surfaces that are congruent with compatible angled surfaces of the top edge of the cabinet to ensure alignment of a closed cover on the cabinet and to prevent overbite of the cover upon closing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Waterloo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Thomas Hellman, Kevin Michael Kraus, Greg Jon Holcomb, Daniel Lee Jackson
  • Patent number: 6619707
    Abstract: A non-biased security lock for a double-hung window assembly is disclosed as well as a method of securing a double-hung window assembly using the sash lock. One or more security locks are installed in one or more recesses in the stile of an outer window sash. In an open, or locked, position, a locking tab is rotatably disposed about a pivot pin substantially perpendicular to the stile of the outer window sash. The locking tab arrests further displacement of the inner window sash when the header of the inner window sash encounters the extended locking tab. The locking tab is restrained by a pair of pinions; hence any force or load applied to the locking tab is transferred as moment to the pinions. In a closed, or unlocked, position, the locking tab is rotatably disposed about the pivot pin so that the upper surface of the locking tab is flush with or substantially below the outer surface of the stile of the outer window sash so that the sash lock does not hinder relative movement of the window sashes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: John Sucu, Francis L DeRubeis
  • Patent number: 6595561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure comprising a closing head (20) and a lock (10) which rest on the immobile or mobile part of a door, flap or such like. The closing head (20) has an undercut axial shoulder (26) which during coupling is engaged by a radially mobile blocking member (11) in the lock (10). The lock (10) further comprises a sensing member (12) and a restoring member (13) for the blocking member (11). To make the lock less prone to malfunctions the invention provides for the axially spring-loaded sensing member (12) to be used as a locking means for the radially spring-loaded blocking member (11). When the locking effect is actuated the blocking member (11) is held in a release position in relation to the closing head (20). When the closing head (20) is engaged the sensing member (12) carries out an axial movement which releases the lock so that the radial spring-loading can move the blocking member (11) into its blocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Piotr Szablewski, Joachim Barthel
  • Patent number: 6523868
    Abstract: A sweep lock locking the check rails of an upper and lower sash improves window resistance to negative wind force. The lock accomplishes this by a cam with a pair of locking rims that engage cam receiver projections extending upward and downward to lock along two vertically separated locking lines, which tends to resist sash tilting from vertical as sash are deformed in response to negative wind force. Preferred embodiments of a cam lock and mounting hub include a two-piece hub that snaps together within a rotational opening of the cam lock to form a subassembly ready for mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Caldwell Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: E. Erik Timothy
  • Patent number: 6502869
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for ensuring that the pod door is firmly and securely retained on the port door of a process tool as the pod door is removed from the pod and stowed in the process tool during workpiece transfer between the pod and process tool. The system includes a latch key protruding outwardly from the outer surface of the port door. The latch key is provided to mate within a slot of a door latch assembly within the pod door. Once the latch key is properly seated within the slot, the latch key is rotated by mechanisms within the port door to decouple the pod door from the pod shell. Such rotation at the same time couples the pod door to the port door. According to the present invention, while the latch key rotates, it simultaneously moves in the rearward direction (i.e., back toward the port door) to thereby pull the pod door into a tight engagement with the port door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Asyst Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick T. Rosenquist, Michael Ng
  • Publication number: 20020171249
    Abstract: A quarter turn latch for joining a cover to a housing of an enclosure enables a technician to lock the enclosure by simply slamming the cover shut. The latch also enables a technician to unlock the enclosure by rotating the shaft by a quarter turn. The latch includes a shaft and a clasp. The shaft includes a head and a tail. The tail includes peripherally alternating sets of longitudinally spaced teeth and tail cam surfaces. Each tooth has a shoulder facing the head of the shaft and a tooth cam surface. The perimeter of a cross section of each tail cam surface is arcuate. The clasp includes pawls. When the tail is inserted into the clasp, each pawl is in contact with the tail cam surface, the tooth cam surface, or the shoulder. The latch prevents unauthorized access to the enclosure by requiring specific tools to rotate the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Bassel H. Daoud, David S. Kerr, Ivan Pawlenko
  • Publication number: 20020167180
    Abstract: A non-biased security lock for a double-hung window assembly is disclosed as well as a method of securing a double-hung window assembly using the sash lock. One or more security locks are installed in one or more recesses in the stile of an outer window sash. In an open, or locked, position, a locking tab is rotatably disposed about a pivot pin substantially perpendicular to the stile of the outer window sash. The locking tab arrests further displacement of the inner window sash when the header of the inner window sash encounters the extended locking tab. The locking tab is restrained by a pair of pinions; hence any force or load applied to the locking tab is transferred as moment to the pinions. In a closed, or unlocked, position, the locking tab is rotatably disposed about the pivot pin so that the upper surface of the locking tab is flush with or substantially below the outer surface of the stile of the outer window sash so that the sash lock does not hinder relative movement of the window sashes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: John Sucu, Francis L. DeRubeis
  • Publication number: 20020167181
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a casing defining a lever chamber and a spring chamber and having a wall interposed between the lever chamber and the spring chamber and formed with a shaft-extension hole to permit extension of a coupler shaft therethrough such that a pivot portion of the shaft extends into the lever chamber and a threaded portion of the shaft is disposed outwardly of the spring chamber. The threaded portion is formed with a pair of axially aligned grooves. A coupler portion of a latch member is formed with a shaft hole confined by a hole-confining wall for extension of the threaded portion therethrough, and a pair of engaging tongues that extend inwardly and radially from the hole-confining wall and that slidably and respectively engage the slots in the shaft so as to permit sliding movement of the latch member along the length of the shaft and so as to facilitate mounting and removal of the latch member on and from the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Ching-Hua Chiang
  • Patent number: 6464423
    Abstract: Improved table connecting brackets capable of quickly and easily connecting and disconnecting tables. The ganging bracket comprises a mounting assembly that can be attached to the first table and a connector assembly that can be attached to the second table. The ganging bracket also comprises a swing arm that has at least one seat disposed at one end of the swing arm and is constructed to receive and lock to the connector assembly. A tooth is disposed on the swing arm proximate each seat. The swing arm also has an aperture that is disposed on the swing arm distal the at least one seat, is constructed to receive the mounting assembly and is positioned and configured to allow the swing arm to be rotatably mounted to the first table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark P. Klein
  • Patent number: 6457752
    Abstract: A locking window. The window includes a window frame including a window sash which is selectively movable between a first closed position and a second open position. A window latch is adapted to be attached to the window and is selectively movable between a first open position and a second locked position to secure the window sash in the closed position. The window latch includes a sweep latch, which is preferably offset, and a non-compressible pivot fastener for attaching the window latch to the window. The offset arrangement provides sufficient space for substantially unequal length actuator and locking arms to provide a mechanical advantage when the window latch is operated. The pivot fastener includes a support bushing and a fastener extending through the support bushing for attaching the offset sweep latch to the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hughes Supply Company of Thomasville, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Keith Miller, Christopher R. Rogers, Farrell Smith
  • Patent number: 6425610
    Abstract: A control cabinet with a cabinet body, whose open front side can be successively closed by an inner door and a closing door presenting a closing device. The inner door can be fixed against the cabinet body at the top and at the bottom by means of a two-armed locking lever and the closing door can be fixed against the cabinet body by means of a locking bar. The closing door partly overlaps the inner door in the closing area. With mirror-symmetrical locking levers, no elements of the locking levers protrude over the free edge of the inner door in any position of the locking levers and the locking levers are easily operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Reuter, Martina Köhler, Paul Root
  • Publication number: 20020074911
    Abstract: A computer enclosure (1) includes a chassis (10), a cover (20), a turn support (40) and a locking device (50). The chassis defines a plurality of slots (17) in a pair of opposite sills (16) thereof. The cover has a plurality of catches (21) for the engagement with the chassis at the slots. The turn support is attached to the chassis. The locking device includes a turn cap (60), a cam (52), a washer (54), and a bolt (56). The turn cap and cam are rotatably secured to the cover with the washer and the bolt. Rotation of the turn cap causes corresponding rotation of the cam. When rotated, the cam acts on flanges (46, 48) at an opening (42) of the turn support. The locking device thereby drives the cover to move forward or rearward. The catches of the cover accordingly engage with or disengage from the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Kuo Chih Lin, Jung Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6361088
    Abstract: A casement fastener closure for thick-walled doors, shutters or the like comprising a housing for rotatable mounting of the actuating shaft of the casement fastener, which housing has, at its circumference, a thread and axially extending flattened portions, wherein a fastening plate provided with a threaded bore hole can be screwed onto the housing and, together with another plate which has an opening that is not round and which can be mounted on the housing so as to be rigid against rotation, can be fastened to the back of the door or shutter by means of wood screws. A recess is formed in one plate, e.g., the plate that can be screwed on, wherein the other plate, e.g., the plate which can be mounted, can be received in the recess so as to be fixed with respect to rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Publication number: 20020033607
    Abstract: The locking mechanism described herein is for use in an enclosure, which is part of a product delivery system. The locking mechanism uses existing locks and latches, and configures them using linkages into a mechanism that is not currently available. The mechanism has a latch that holds the door of the enclosure closed. This latch stays in a normally unlocked state until deliberate acts are taken to lock the latch. When a delivery is made, the delivery person opens the unlocked door, makes the delivery, and then closes the door and turns the rotary latch counter clockwise until it latches in the locked position. There are three independent and distinct ways to unlock the mechanism: (1) a key can be used to unlock the mechanism; (2) a combination lock can be used to unlock the mechanism; or (3) an emergency release paddle, for child safety is located on the lower back cover of the lock, and can be pushed to unlock the mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Charles H. Worrall
  • Patent number: 6298697
    Abstract: A pivoting lever closure is disclosed for the door, the sidewall or the like of an electrical control cabinet, a machine casing or the like, comprising an actuation shaft traversing the door leaf or the like, locking devices driven by the actuating shaft such as a sash lock and/or a bar lock, a cavity that can be placed on the door leaf or the like, an actuating lever which can be pivotally actuated on the actuating shaft around an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the actuating shaft and which can be blocked in a pivoting position in the cavity by a locking device (i.e. a padlock) and can be swung out of the cavity. The actuating shaft can be rotated by the actuating lever from the cavity in the pivoting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Patent number: 6244636
    Abstract: A door latch assembly for preventing unwanted entry into a hotel room, apartment, dwelling, or the like. In certain embodiments, the door latch assembly includes an approximately L-shaped member which is selectively pivoted between locking and non-locking positions. In certain embodiments, the latch may not be readily utilized to prop open a door, as a closing door will cause the latch to move from a locking position to a non-locking position during door closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Rissone
  • Patent number: 6224118
    Abstract: A child resistant latch system for minimizing a child's access to cabinets containing potentially harmful items includes a spring loaded biasing assembly for biasing a handle that is operationally coupled to a latch that is positioned proximate a stop plate. Optionally, a latch receiving plate assembly may be attached to a frame of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Gordon J. Ashford
  • Patent number: 6203076
    Abstract: A fold-down handle device for attachment to a first member, such as a panel, to provide a controlled pushing and pulling action on actuation for facilitating insertion and retraction of the first member to a second member, such as a cabinet, the handle device including a handle with a gripping portion, a cam member, a pawl member and a drive pin connecting the pawl member to the handle and extending through a slot provided in the cam member to regulate the movement of the pawl when the handle is lifted from a folded horizontal position to an upright vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Wytcherley, Clive Morgan
  • Patent number: 6155616
    Abstract: A locking mechanism and closure assembly are provided including a housing, a latch rotatably mounted to the housing, a spring member for urging the latch from a first position toward a second position, and a control member mounted to the housing for selectively securing the latch against rotation from the first position toward the second position. The control member may be slidably mounted relative to the housing, and may selectively rotate the latch from the first position toward the second position upon failure of the spring member. The latch may be positionable in a third position between the first and second positions, and may have a recess for receiving a striker designed for holding the striker within the recess at some times and guiding the striker into or out of the recess at other times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Randall C. Hansen
    Inventor: Michael V. Akright
  • Patent number: 6106034
    Abstract: A rotary latch for a clamshell housing with truncated circular upper and lower lugs, that can if desired, be made in a single plastic molding and rotatably attached to the housing without any rivets, pins or screws. The upper lug has an arcuate extent of more than 180 degrees and the lower lug has an arcuate extent coaxial with the upper lug but less than 180 degrees. The latch is an annular plastic body that is deformed to snap over and rotatably mount on the upper lug, effected by an annular recess in the body that extends 360 degrees inside around the body so as the body rotates on the upper lug, it never loses contact over any portion thereof. The lower lug is axially offset from the upper lug and the latch body has a latch cup portion that scoops and aligns the lower lug with the upper lug in three orthogonal coordinates. The latch cup portion is also axially offset from the upper lug so it can pass behind the upper lug as the latch body is rotated from a latch position to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Vardon Golf Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dillis V. Allen
  • Patent number: 6079754
    Abstract: A latching assembly, such as for use in assembling and disassembling mating foamed insulating panels, may have housing components of inexpensive materials such as cellulosic or non-structural plastic materials. A cam shaft passes through an opening in a latch, the cam shaft mounting a cam keeper which has its peripheral surface engaged by a friction clutch (e.g. a cantilevered tongue) which supplies a radial or axial spring force from the exterior of the cam keeper to provide high level of predictable friction force. The cam shaft, and a latching pin for cooperation with hook portion of the latch, are mounted by metal or structural plastic flanges which engage the inexpensive housing components. An external clutch, such as a spring tab integral with the second metal or structural plastic flange, maintains the position of the cam shaft with respect to the flange unless the cam shaft is positively rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Fred H. Alexy
  • Patent number: 6076869
    Abstract: A pressing and latching structure for a notebook-type computer screen, includes a pressing section disposed on the computer screen and a latching section disposed on a main body of the computer. By pressing the pressing section with one hand, the computer screen is unlatched from the main body, permitting the computer screen to be easily pivoted up from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ying-Hu Chen, Po-An Lin
  • Patent number: 6073792
    Abstract: A cap body has a movable retaining tongue which is engageable with a portion of an access structure to retain the cap on the structure. A tongue is manipulated through a bolt, the head of which is accessible at the top surface of the cap body. A cover for the bolt head has a locking post which extends through the cap body and engages and locks the tongue against movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Lucky Campbell, Rodger Calder