Closure Patents (Class 292/216)
  • Patent number: 11536061
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, particularly a motor vehicle bonnet lock, includes a ratchet mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The ratchet mechanism interacts with a lock retainer pin on a vehicle bonnet. A retention element is additionally provided which holds the pawl in a retention position, raised from the rotary latch, during unlocking of the bonnet. The lock retainer pin continues to engage in the rotary latch when in said retention position. During a first opening process which proceeds from the retention position, the lock retainer pin transfers the retention element into a release position that releases the pawl. During a subsequent bonnet closing process, the pawl can thus engage in the rotary latch, which can be pivoted without exertion of force by the lock retainer pin at least into the hold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Bernhard Drost
  • Patent number: 11536055
    Abstract: A closing device for a motor vehicle includes a locking mechanism having a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a trigger lever, with the locking mechanism being unlocked by the trigger lever, and a blocking component which is arranged on the closing device for blocking a movement of the trigger lever when a load acts on the motor vehicle from the outside. The blocking component can be guided in the closing device in a movable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Michael Strathmann, Rolf Siemensmeyer
  • Patent number: 11525290
    Abstract: A motor-driven door latch includes a catch part that is caught on a striker to lock the vehicle door to the vehicle body or is released from the striker so that the vehicle door can be opened from the vehicle body. A door locking and releasing part includes a main motor and is configured to apply a torque to the catch part through the main motor. An emergency door releasing part is provided with an auxiliary motor and is contacted with the door locking and releasing part by operation of the auxiliary motor. An inside emergency operating lever is connected with an inside handle installed at the vehicle door and is configured to receive an operation force of the inside handle to rotate and apply torque to the catch part through the emergency door releasing part and the door locking and releasing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jinwoo Nam, Kyoung Taek Kwak, Jungho Han
  • Patent number: 11525286
    Abstract: A motor vehicle latch with a locking mechanism comprising a catch and a pawl for catching of the catch and a housing with an inlet slot for a latch holder which can go through the inlet slot into the housing in the event of closure of a door or flap and can be held there by the locking mechanism in such a way that the door or flap cannot open in an unscheduled manner, whereby the housing demonstrates a cover on a side of the housing with the inlet slot which is attached to the housing with the aid of a positive connection produced by suspension. An especially reliable fixing of the cover can thus be facilitated. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mounting procedure for the cover to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Yuhui Liu
  • Patent number: 11505971
    Abstract: A vehicle latch mechanism includes a latch body having a striker receiving zone including a first surface and an opposing second surface. A first guide member extends along and is spaced from the first surface. The first guide member includes a first end, a second, cantilevered end, and an intermediate portion. A second guide member extends along and is spaced from the second surface. The second guide member includes a first end portion, a second cantilevered end portion, and an intermediate section. The second end and the second cantilevered end extend into the striker receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Sandeep Kuriyavar, Jose Madrid, Arun Murthy, Eli Retamoza, Martin Gustavo Reyes
  • Patent number: 11505049
    Abstract: A locking device for a convertible top includes a locking support, a locking hook which can be translationally and rotationally shifted so as to be displaced between a disengaged position and an engaged position and which is engaged with a locking counterpart when in the engaged position, and a drive for the locking hook. The drive includes a driving element which is driven rotationally about an axis of rotation by a driving unit and which drives, via a link mechanism, a slide which can be moved on the locking support and which is connected to the locking hook, the locking hook being displaced when the slide is moved. The link mechanism includes a coupling link which is hinged to the slide and a support link which is hinged to the coupling link and which is guided in a guide track of the locking support when the driving element is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Franz Haberl
  • Patent number: 11492826
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock including a detent mechanism with a catch and a pawl arrangement. The catch may be pivoted between an open position, a primary closed position and a secondary closed position, which secondary closed position is situated between the open position and the primary closed position. The pawl arrangement, in a blocking state, blocks the catch in the primary closed position and in the secondary closed position, and may be moved into a release state to release the catch. The pawl arrangement comprises a primary pawl, in the blocking state, in blocking engagement with the catch, and a secondary pawl in blocking engagement with the primary pawl. The blocking state, the secondary pawl may be lifted to release the primary pawl, such that the primary pawl may be lifted to release the catch. The motor vehicle lock comprises an actuation lever, that may lift the secondary pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: BROSE SCHLIESSSYSTEME GMBH & CO. KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT, WUPPERTAL
    Inventor: David Rosales
  • Patent number: 11486168
    Abstract: An actuation cable device includes a left hood lock cable having an end connected to a left hood lock device; a right hood lock cable having an end connected to a right hood lock device; an opener cable having an end connected to a hood opener; and a link device including a rotatable link member to which second ends of the above-described cables are connected. The left hood lock cable and the right hood lock cable are respectively connected to an upper portion and a lower portion of the link member in a manner so that they extend from the link member toward opposite sides to each other. The opener cable is connected to the upper portion in a manner so that it extends from the link member toward an opposite side to the side toward which the left hood lock cable extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HI-LEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Oyama, Hidenori Tokimasa, Atsushi Nishimura, Ritsu Sano
  • Patent number: 11473348
    Abstract: An integrated door latch assembly of a sliding door may include a plate installed at the lower front of the sliding door, a front latch part which is installed in the front of the plate, and a hold open latch part which is installed at the plate so as to be spaced apart from the front latch part to the rear of the vehicle. The front latch part maintains the closed state of the sliding door by restraining a close striker formed at a vehicle body when the sliding door is closed and releases the restriction of the close striker when the sliding door starts to open. The hold open latch part maintains the open state by restraining the sliding of the sliding door when the sliding door is opened and releases the restriction so that the sliding door can slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hyung-In Yun
  • Patent number: 11473338
    Abstract: A shared storage cabinet and a lock thereof are disclosed. The shared storage cabinet includes a cabinet body and a lock installed on the cabinet body. The cabinet body is divided into a plurality of cells by means of a frame thereof. The cabinet lock includes a lock body, a locking piece and a locking and unlocking assembly. The lock body is laterally inserted into and fixed within the frame of the cabinet body. The locking and unlocking assembly is disposed within the lock body. One end of the locking piece is pivotally connected to one side of the lock body, while the other end of the locking piece rotates about the end thereof to achieve locking/unlocking in cooperation with the locking and unlocking assembly of another adjacent cabinet lock on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: XIAMEN MAKE SECURITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hongliang Lai
  • Patent number: 11466486
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drive assembly, which is equipped with an electric motor and an output element, which is driven by the electric motor indirectly or directly. Furthermore, a spring associated with the output element is realized, which spring is designed to bidirectionally return the output element. According to the invention, the spring is designed as a spiral spring which is designed to be windable and unwindable proceeding both from the inner spring let and from the outer leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Ömer Inan, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer, Peter Szegeny
  • Patent number: 11459802
    Abstract: A vehicle latch assembly includes a housing. Also included is a pawl disposed within the housing, the pawl rotatable between a first angular position and a second angular position. Further included is a bumper operatively coupled to the housing, the bumper having a conical head portion positioned for engagement with the pawl in the second angular position of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Omar Estrada Lazcano, Hector Sanchez, Fernando Chacon, Carlos I. Tostado Bocanegra
  • Patent number: 11434662
    Abstract: A door latch for an electrical domestic appliance includes a rotary member arranged to be rotationally movable between a closing rotational position and a release rotational position and is spring-biased in the direction towards the release rotational position, a movably arranged catch that is in an arresting engagement with the rotary member when the rotary member is in the closing rotational position, and a locking assembly that includes a movable locking member movable between an unlocking position and a locking position. The arresting engagement is releasable by an overlifting rotational movement of the rotary member. The rotary member is rotationally movable between a closing rotational position and a release rotational position and is spring-biased in the direction towards the release rotational position. The locking member, when transferred from the unlocking position into the opening position, causes the arresting engagement of the catch with the rotary member to be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: EMZ-HANAUER GMBH & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Albert Dirnberger, Georg Spiessl, Matthias Bauer
  • Patent number: 11434669
    Abstract: A vehicle slide door apparatus includes: a bracket fixed in a slide door; a lever operation mechanism supported on the bracket, and causing a release lever connected to a door lock part to perform an opening operation in accordance with manipulation of an inner handle in an opening direction, the door lock part bringing the slide door into an openable state upon the opening operation of the release lever; a child protect lever movably supported on the bracket, and making, by its movement to one side, manipulation force of the inner handle not be transmitted to the release lever; and a slider supported, in the bracket, on a side of an outer panel of the slide door slidably to a vehicle compartment interior side, and when being pushed to the vehicle compartment interior side, moving the child protect lever to the one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshinori Hitomi
  • Patent number: 11421455
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a motor vehicle includes a latch body, a claw rotatably mounted in the latch body and operable to selectively retain a hood latch element, and a motor operatively connected to the claw. The motor is operably to rotate the claw to selectively release the hood latch element. A latch controller is operatively connected to the motor, and a speed sensor operatively connected to the latch controller. The speed sensor detects a speed of the motor vehicle. The latch controller operates the motor to rotate the claw based on the speed of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Michael Perkins, Ian J. Dow, Sameer Anand, Robert Durie, Prashant Nayak, Premanand Naik
  • Patent number: 11414897
    Abstract: A door inside release spring for a vehicle door assembly includes a torsional spring body, and a first spring arm extending from a first axial end of the spring body. The first spring arm is configured to be operably connected to an inside release lever to bias a position of the inside release lever. A second spring arm extends from a second axial end of the spring body opposite the first axial end. The second spring arm is configured to be operably connected to a child lock lever to bias a position of the child lock lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Oscar Omar Estrada, Hector Sanchez, Fernando Chacon, Carlos Tostado
  • Patent number: 11401739
    Abstract: An actuation device for a lock of a motor vehicle, said actuation device allowing a plurality of functions without requiring a large number of parts and/or a complex and/or voluminous structure. This is achieved in that the actuation device according to the claims for opening a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle lock comprises an anti-theft device, a central locking device, and a childproof lock device. A multifunction coupling lever is provided which is capable of opening a locking mechanism of a motor vehicle lock by means of an opening movement. The opening movement of the multifunction coupling lever can be prevented by the anti-theft device, the central locking device, and the childproof lock device. Thus, an actuation device is provided which is capable of performing a plurality of functions while comprising few components. Because only a few components are required, the structural complexity can be low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Elena Suholutskaja
  • Patent number: 11384571
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hood latch system for a vehicle comprising a hood having a striker, the system comprises: a spring loaded claw rotatable between an engaged position in which the striker is locked in place by the claw, and an open position in which the striker is disengaged from the claw, and a main pawl rotatable between a first position in which the claw is held in place by the main pawl in the engaged position and a second position in which the claw is released by the main pawl whereby the claw is allowed to rotate into the open position. When the main pawl is caused to be activated for rotating from the first position to the second position by a crash acceleration force, the main pawl is configured to prevent the striker from being released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Bishop Otim Obita, Christer Dominique, Monika Majewska
  • Patent number: 11377881
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle hood having a catch suitable for fastening a striker, a pawl that cooperates with the catch in order to block the catch in closing position, a safety lever that guarantees the additional closing of the striker, a first spring that stresses the catch towards an opening position, a second spring that stresses the pawl towards a closing position, a third spring that stresses the safety lever towards closing position, a first Bowden cable connected to the pawl to pull the pawl towards the opening position, and a second Bowden cable connected to the safety lever to pull the safety lever towards the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Inventors: Roberto Bartola, Alessandro Gioacchini
  • Patent number: 11371268
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle lock with a lock mechanism and with a lock housing to receive the lock mechanism, wherein the lock mechanism comprises at least one activating lever which can swivel about a geometrical lever axis, wherein a bearing sleeve element is provided, on which the activating lever is radially mounted, wherein the activating lever is mounted on the bearing sleeve element axially at both sides and for this it is coupled to the bearing sleeve element by a bayonet fitting and in the process of installing the motor vehicle lock the activating lever and the bearing sleeve element can be premounted to form a separate unit by creating the bayonet fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ludger Graute, Roman Joschko, Andreas Hoffmann, Pan Ren
  • Patent number: 11369193
    Abstract: A multifunctional desk includes a top plate, a leg portion that supports the top plate in air, a rotating shaft provided below and parallel to the top plate, a rotating plate provided below the top plate, a first fixture, a second fixture, and a slide plate provided below the top plate and above the rotating plate. The first fixture fixes the rotating plate to the top plate or releases the rotating plate from being fixed to the top plate in a state of protruding in front of the top plat. The second fixture fixes the rotating plate to the top plate or releases the rotating plate from being fixed to the top plate in a state of being retreated below the top plate. The slide plate protrudes in front of the top plate or is retreated below the top plate by sliding in parallel to the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: WILLOW INC.
    Inventors: Tomonari Yanagihara, Hideo Kita, Jun Takaishi
  • Patent number: 11365568
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock apparatus (1) includes latch and actuating housings (9, 7) that are fixed between outer and inner panels (3, 4) of a vehicle door (2). A connector fitting section (80C) is exposed through an open window (4H) in the inner panel (4) toward a vehicle interior side of the inner panel (4). A movable member (50) includes a second end (52) that projects out of the actuating housing (7), passes through an opening (80H) in the actuating housing (7) and also passes through the open window (4H) toward the vehicle interior side, where it is coupled to a link member (C3). The connector fitting section (80C) and the opening (80H) are covered by a single umbrella-shaped blocking member (89) that contacts the actuating housing (7) and the inner panel (4) around at least an upper side of the peripheral edge of the open window (4H).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaharu Takagi, Satoshi Yamaji
  • Patent number: 11365566
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock includes a locking mechanism having a rotary latch, a pawl, and an actuating lever mechanism having at least one coupling lever rotatable about an axis and a mass inertia element rotatable about an additional axis spaced apart from the axis of the coupling lever to guide the coupling lever, at least in the event of an accident. The coupling lever in its “engaged” position connects the actuating lever mechanism mechanically with the locking mechanism and in its “disengaged” position ensures that the actuating lever mechanism is locked and/or separated from the locking mechanism. The mass inertia element has a guide contour for the coupling lever that interacts with a contact contour of the coupling lever so that the guide contour and/or contact contour is configured so that a force exerted upon it runs essentially tangentially to the diameter of the associated axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert Pettengill, Robert Brickner, Stelian Borlodan
  • Patent number: 11338854
    Abstract: A steering assist device for a motor vehicle is described, which encloses a steering-wheel-side steering shaft and a wheel-side steering shaft coupled to the latter, whereby a gear wheel coupled to a backup drive is installed on the wheel-side steering shaft. Moreover, a sensor element is integrated into the gear wheel and interacts with a second sensor counter element fixed in space over a first sensor counter element installed at the steering-wheel-side steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ZF Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Guido Liesenfeld
  • Patent number: 11339590
    Abstract: A vehicle hood latch and method of unlatching a vehicle hood is provided. The vehicle hood latch includes a housing; a ratchet pivotally mounted on the housing; a pawl pivotally mounted on the housing and biased into engagement with the ratchet; a pin fixed for conjoint movement with the pawl; a double pull lever operably mounted to the housing and having an abutment surface configured for operable engagement with the pin, and a primary safety catch lever operably mounted to the housing. The primary safety catch lever is configured to pivot from a locked first position to an unlocked second position. The primary safety catch lever moves from the first locked position to the second unlocked position in response to translational movement of the double pull lever caused by engagement of the pin with the abutment surface of the double pull lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Cumbo
  • Patent number: 11339591
    Abstract: A latch assembly having primary position, a secondary position, and an unlatched position is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker and a retention member. A slot of the retention member is shaped to receive the striker when the latch assembly is in the primary position. The latch assembly includes a detent lever defining a catch configured to engage with the retaining feature of the retention member to secure the latch assembly in the secondary position. The latch assembly includes a linking member coupled to the detent lever, a memory lever moveable about a pivot axis, and a release lever. The memory lever defines a retention surface configured to engage with the linking member when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position. The release lever is rotatable about a shared axis of rotation and operatively connected to the memory lever when the latch assembly is in the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: James N. Nelsen
  • Patent number: 11332962
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a latch mechanism having a fork-bolt that is configured to engage a striker and prevent opening of the vehicle door when the latch mechanism is in a latched configuration. The latch mechanism includes a lock mechanism that disconnects an exterior door handle from the latch mechanism when the latch mechanism is locked. The lock mechanism includes a lock lever having a center of mass that is spaced apart from an axis of rotation of the lock lever whereby the lock lever rotates and locks the latch mechanism in the event of a side impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Carl Bejune, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Patent number: 11326372
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock comprises a ratchet-type mechanism having a pawl and a rotary latch. The motor vehicle door lock is also provided with a release lever for the ratchet-type mechanism and at least one actuation lever and a blocking element. The blocking element brings about a mechanical connection during normal operation and a mechanical separation, when operating in the event of an accident, between the actuation lever and the release lever. According to the invention, the blocking element is configured as a coupling lever mounted on the actuation lever, which pivots independently from the actuation lever applied with spring force when operating in the event of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Madhu S. Basavarajappa
  • Patent number: 11313157
    Abstract: A latch assembly for opening and closing a vehicle luggage room may include: a base installed on an end portion of an opening and closing member to open and close a vehicle luggage room; a power conversion member to convert the rotational force of a drive motor into a linear motion; a claw to grip and restrain the striker when the opening and closing member is closed; a pawl to inhibit the rotation of the claw so that the claw maintains a state of having the striker restrained; an error lever installed to rotate with the pawl and configured to rotate so that the pawl is separated from the claw; and a link member to rotate the claw so that the claw grips the striker, when the power conversion member makes the linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION, PYEONG HWA AUTOMOTIVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-Hyuck Im, Young-Hoon Ko
  • Patent number: 11306516
    Abstract: A motor vehicle latch, in particular a motor vehicle door latch, that in its basic structure is equipped with a locking mechanism essentially consisting of a catch and at least one pawl. Furthermore, an operating lever mechanism for the locking mechanism having at least one coupling lever and one release lever is realized. In its “coupled position,” the coupling lever connects the release lever mechanically to the locking mechanism, and in its “uncoupled” position separates the release lever from the locking mechanism. In addition, an inertia element for guiding the coupling lever is provided. According to the invention, the inertia element has a guide contour for the coupling lever, which guide contour in a crash event separates the coupled coupling lever from the release lever and transfers the coupling lever to its “uncoupled” position without further mechanical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Stelian Borlodan
  • Patent number: 11306517
    Abstract: A rotary drive actuation system for actuating a latch including: an output shaft having a member affixed at one end of the output shaft for coupling to a component of the latch; a common drive element affixed to the output shaft at the other end of the output shaft; and a plurality of motors coupled to the common drive element for simultaneously driving the common drive element and the output shaft in a first rotary direction to effect actuation of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Ioan Dorin Ilea
  • Patent number: 11299919
    Abstract: A latching mechanism releasably engages a striker. The latching mechanism includes a housing secured to the vehicle body, and defining a striker channel through which the striker is selectively movable along a striker path. The latching mechanism includes a release lever pivotally connected to the housing and configured to rotate in a first direction in response to a tensile force. A detent is pivotally connected to the housing and to the release lever, and is movable with lost motion relative to the release lever. A fork bolt is adjustably connected to the housing and movable between a fully latched position, where the fork bolt fixes the striker relative to the housing, and a secondary position, where the striker is movable relative to the housing. Moving the fork bolt from the secondary position to the fully latched position causes the lost motion between the detent and the release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, PyeongHwa Automotive USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James N. Nelsen, Sung Han Kim
  • Patent number: 11299918
    Abstract: A vehicle door opening/closing device includes: door lock devices each installed in a door and including a latch mechanism and an open lever capable of transmitting a releasing operation force to the latch mechanism; a fully closing lock releasing member rotatably provided in the door and rotating based on the releasing operation force; cables whose both terminals are connected to the open levers and the fully closing lock releasing member and causing the open levers to rotate to a releasing operation positions from an initial positions; and lost motion mechanisms at least one of which is disposed on the fully closing lock releasing member side of the cables and that, when one of the open levers is bound at the releasing operation position, allow the remainder of the open levers to return to the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryohei Yamane, Toshio Machida, Junji Yamaguchi, Keisuke Matsumoto, Satoshi Takeno, Yasuhiro Nagaya
  • Patent number: 11299917
    Abstract: An over-center spring of a vehicle door latch device has a coil part that is loosely inserted on a spring support shaft, and a base end side spring leg part. A leading end side spring leg part elastically holds an abutting pin and is paired with the base end side spring leg part. A lock lever is provided with a slot through which the spring support shaft passes. The lock lever and the spring support shaft are disposed to be superposed on each other in an axial direction of the spring support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Taga
  • Patent number: 11286706
    Abstract: A lock arrangement for a vehicle door, which is connected in an adjustable manner to a motor vehicle body, wherein a motor vehicle lock is provided that in the mounted state is arranged on the motor vehicle door or on the motor vehicle body, wherein the motor vehicle lock arrangement, in particular the motor vehicle lock, comprises a push-open arrangement with which the motor vehicle door may be adjusted in a motorized push-open procedure out of a door closed position, in particular a door main-closed position or a door pre-closed position into a door push-open position that is lying further in its opening direction and as a consequence a gap, may be produced between the motor vehicle body and a door engagement edge of the motor vehicle door, wherein a control arrangement and connected thereto in terms of control technology a sensor arrangement are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Bamberg
    Inventors: Rainer Wirths, Michael Pleines
  • Patent number: 11280115
    Abstract: A device for mechanically preventing the automatic opening of a vehicle door in the event of an object acting thereon includes a mounting clip fixed to an outer door part for an outer door handle. The mounting clip has a door opening mechanism having a balancing mass which is adjustably supported on the mounting clip and operatively connected to the outer door handle and can also be moved from a first operating position into a second operating position and back. A force introduction and locking element is associated with the balancing mass. A movement of the balancing mass from the first operating position into the second operating position can be prevented, limited, and/or reversed by way of the element. When viewed in the direction of movement of the bar the force introduction and locking element is advantageously supported against a door lock housing that is fastened to the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Weber, Arne Meyer, Sarah Brueggemann, Dennis Neumann
  • Patent number: 11280120
    Abstract: A power closure latch assembly with a manually actuatable release and reset feature is provided. The release feature allows the latch assembly to be mechanically released from within a cabin of the vehicle such that a vehicle closure panel can be opened, while the reset feature allows the latch assembly to be manually and mechanically reset from within the cabin of the vehicle to allow the vehicle closure panel to be closed and latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Francesco Patane, Enrico Boeri, Carlo Quartieri
  • Patent number: 11268305
    Abstract: A latching system for a door or flap of a motor vehicle includes a triggering lever and an operating lever to rotate the triggering lever, the triggering lever having two connections for simultaneous triggering of two separate latching devices for a door or flap, and further includes a coupling lever rotatably attached to the triggering lever to couple the operating lever with the triggering lever. Highly reliable bolting can be attained with simultaneously low manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Robert J. Hunt, Robert S. Pettengill, David Keehn, Keon Seok Bang
  • Patent number: 11262278
    Abstract: A method and system for an assembly test fixture includes a first surface of the assembly test fixture matingly complementary to a second surface of a component to be tested. The assembly test fixture also includes a plurality of proximity detection features on the first surface configured to detect a predetermined proper alignment of one or more actuating cables of the component to be tested with respect to a second surface of the component to be tested. The assembly test fixture further including a conduit internal to the assembly test fixture configured to provide electrical continuity indicating the predetermined proper alignment and a connector pluggable to a test device capable of indicating proper operation of the component to be tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sunho Jung, Nicholas Alfred Khayata
  • Patent number: 11236911
    Abstract: Provided is a push-to-open latch for an oven appliance and other household appliances. The push-to-open latch includes an integrated locking device for locking an appliance door in place and initiate a downstream appliance function such as a self-cleaning function. The integrated locking device includes a rotating cam having a latching slot which engages a pawl. The rotating cam also includes a guiding ramp and a catch surface which may be used to engage a latching finger to lock the cam in place. In addition, the locking device may include a locking slide and a locking slide pin that is actuated by a solenoid to engage the cam. Once the appliance door is locked, one or more switches send a signal to the appliance controller to activate the downstream function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HTI TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Roger L. DeYoung
  • Patent number: 11236533
    Abstract: The present invention aims to reduce the operation noise of a latch device for a vehicle trunk lid when the lid is opened. A latch device for a vehicle trunk lid includes: latch 16 that is engaged with a striker; ratchet 18 that is engaged with latch 16; opening lever 43 that causes ratchet 18 to rotate in a direction in which ratchet 18 is disengaged from latch 16; output member 39 that rotates opening lever 43 in the release direction. Opening lever 43 is rotatable between an unblocked position where it is rotatable in the release direction and a blocked position where it is prevented from rotating in the release direction by colliding with the output member. When driven and rotated, output member 39 abuts against opening lever 43 that is in the unblocked position and rotates opening lever 43 in the release direction to the blocked position, and opening lever 43 is further rotated a predetermined angle by colliding with output member 39 in the blocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tamura, Toshio Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11220847
    Abstract: A service latch assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a striker member and a latch mechanism configured to selectively engage and release the strike member. The latch mechanism includes a frame plate defining a guideway configured to receive the striker member, a striker guard inserted into the guideway, a latch member pivotally connected to the frame plate, a stop tab extending from a closed end of the guideway, a stop bumper inserted onto the stop tab, and an over-mold fitted over the latch member. The over-mold includes a pivot limiter bumper configured to cooperate with the stop bumper to limit the pivot of the latch member in an open position and a striker retention feature nested onto an edge retention surface of a first lever arm of the latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignees: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, KIEKERT AG
    Inventors: James N. Nelsen, Joseph Michael Phares, David Fischer
  • Patent number: 11208015
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a motor vehicle door lock, particularly a backrest lock (4), on a motor vehicle seat (1). The basic construction of the motor vehicle door lock includes a locking mechanism (7, 8, 9) consisting essentially of a rotary latch (9), a ratchet pawl (7) and a blocking element (8) for the ratchet pawl (7). In addition, a drive unit (15, 16, 17) that acts on a triggering element (12) is provided. According to the invention, the drive unit (15, 16, 17) is constructed as a linear adjustment drive (15, 16, 17), which acts on the triggering element (12) so that it interacts in succession, first with the blocking element (8) and then with the ratchet pawl (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Karl Lambertz, Tommy Toma, Robert J. Hunt
  • Patent number: 11203888
    Abstract: Latches including a slot having a length that allows a striker of the latch to move from a normal closed position downwardly toward the closed bottom of the slot into an over travel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Gecom Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Farris, Brian Kepler
  • Patent number: 11180935
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock apparatus (1) includes a latch housing (9), a latch mechanism (8), an actuating housing (7), and an actuating mechanism (6). The actuating housing (7) includes a first housing (70) made of resin joined to a second housing (80) made of resin, thereby forming a housing chamber (7A). The first housing (70) includes at least one projection (75P, 75Q, 75R, and 75S) that extends toward the second housing (80) from a proximal end (75A) to a distal end (75B). The second housing 80 includes at least one receptacle (85P, 85Q, 85R, and 85S) having a contact part (85A) welded to the distal end (75B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ANSEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaharu Takagi, Satoshi Yamaji
  • Patent number: 11161432
    Abstract: A seat lock apparatus that keeps a seat back of a vehicle in a locked state, and is at least partially covered with a cover, includes: a hooking member having an engaging groove that engages with a striker that enters from a back side; a shaft member that rotatably and pivotally supports the hooking member in a vicinity of a front end; a case member to which the shaft member is fixed; a striker entry groove formed on the case member and to which the striker enters; and a pair of projectional holding members provided respectively on both sides of the striker entry groove and projecting backward. Further, the cover is held by inserting the pair of projectional holding members into a holding member insertion hole provided on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsunori Noguchi, Keiichirou Inoue, Atsushi Koizumi, Takahiro Nakae
  • Patent number: 11149472
    Abstract: A lock in a vehicle is automatically controlled based at least in part on a state associated with the vehicle. In response to an attempt to open a hatch using an interior release lever while in a locked state, the automatically-controlled lock in the locked state prevents the hatch from opening. In response to an attempt to open the hatch using an exterior release lever while the automatically-controlled lock is in the locked state, a bypass to the automatically-controlled lock is used to open the hatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Wisk Aero LLC
    Inventors: Uri Tzarnotzky, James Joseph Tighe
  • Patent number: 11111697
    Abstract: A door lock actuation device configured for operating a door lock in a door blade, wherein the door lock includes a dead bolt driven by rotation of a connector is provided. The device includes a casing, inside which there is provided a motor for driving a rotational connector-receiver that receives and rotates the connector. The device also includes a rotational handle mechanically connected to the connector-receiver, for forcing rotation of the connector-receiver by manual rotation of the handle. The motor is selectively disconnectable from the connector-receiver for manual driving of the connector-receiver by the handle without backdriving the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: DANALOCK APS
    Inventor: Henning Overgaard
  • Patent number: 11105119
    Abstract: A locking device for a vehicle seat is disclosed. The locking device comprises at least one tolerance compensating element and a second damping element provided for damping the movement of a bolt element received in the locking device. The elements are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the action of force effected by the bolt element, such that under normal conditions the tolerance compensating element acts in a damping manner and the second damping element additionally provides a damping action under the action of high dynamic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Meyer, Majid Arefi
  • Patent number: 11105126
    Abstract: A hood lock apparatus includes a base plate having a striker groove into which a striker enters in response to a closing operation of a hood, a latch locking the striker entered into the striker groove, a locking plate locking the latch that locks the striker, a rattle lever supporting the striker locked by the latch with the latch, and a rattle spring biasing the rattle lever holding the striker with the latch towards the striker. The rattle spring is disposed to straddle a first center line passing through a rotational shaft of the rattle lever and extending in a direction at right angles to a direction in which the striker groove extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Ogawase, Toshihisa Nishijo