Rigid Patents (Class 292/228)
  • Patent number: 6539579
    Abstract: A hinge giving a neat look to a mounting area of a door is not exposed to an outer surface of the door. The hinge has a hinge spindle unit, buried flush with top and bottom lines on a fixed end of the door and disposed so as to allow protrusion and retraction of a spindle, and a hinge body unit, buried at a position facing the hinge spindle unit of the open frame and in which is inserted the protruding spindle, supporting the door to allow it to open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Osaka Kanagu Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Saburo Minami
  • Publication number: 20020070565
    Abstract: A window securing device (36) for use in a double-hung sash window assembly having upper and lower sash window frames (14,16) installed for relative overlapping vertical sliding movement, said upper sash frame (14) having a recess into the interior of a vertical facial member of the window. The device (36) includes a housing (38) having a front faceplate opening (51) into a cavity (50) therein and a means for retaining the housing (38) in the recess with the faceplate (42) covering the edges of the recess. A pawl (40) mounted in the cavity (50) of the housing (38) is spring biased into an extended position where the lowermost arresting edge protrudes through the opening (51). In effect, the extended pawl (40) blocks the pathway of a top portion of the lower sash (16) for preventing further upward movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: Ashland Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Peter Szapucki, Richard J. Kulkaski
  • Patent number: 6347819
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a latching assembly for securing a gate having a bolt extending therefrom. The latching assembly is provided with a housing and a bolt retaining member pivotally connected to the housing. The bolt retaining member has a retaining portion. The bolt retaining member has open and closed positions with the bolt retaining member being biased in the closed position. The latching assembly is further provided with a trigger connected to the housing. The trigger has locked and unlocked positions with the trigger being biased in the locked position. The trigger has a contact portion sized and configured to contact a bolt when the trigger mechanism is in the locked position. The trigger further has a locking portion sized and configured to engage the bolt retaining member when the bolt retaining member is in the open position and the trigger is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Shawn Plaxco
  • Patent number: 6296040
    Abstract: A roller screen includes a gauze screen, a roll-up mechanism for the gauze screen, a pull beam connected to the free end of the gauze screen, guides for guiding the pull beam and the side edges of the gauze screen. Furthermore spring hooks are used which cooperate with cams present on the ends of the pull beam. The spring hooks are mounted in the ends of the guides remote from the roll-up mechanism on a base which fits in the end of a guide. The spring hooks extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the guides. The spring force of the hooks can be adjusted by an adjusting screw mounted in the base. The adjusting screw extends substantially perpendicularly to the hook and is accessible via an opening formed in a side wall of the guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Hamstra-Weesp B.V.
    Inventor: Henk Schaap
  • Patent number: 6247733
    Abstract: A push-push type latch and a pin are mounted on corresponding moving and nonmoving components, such as a drawer or door and its frame. The latch uses a shuttle having a heart-curve to control the latching and unlatching of the pin. The shuttle is mounted on the housing using an off center pivot. As the pin moves back and forth within the shuttle, the shuttle pivots to control the pin's location within the heart curve. The latch may include a spring-biased fork for making an audible click to denote the latching and unlatching of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Roy Weiland
  • Patent number: 6181549
    Abstract: A chassis retaining system for securing a chassis supporting electronic equipment such as a computer system to a rack. The chassis retaining system includes a handle and a securing device with a retaining surface. The securing device is coupled to the handle, and the retaining surface is movable with respect to the handle. The chassis retaining system further includes a user interface device coupled to the handle and to the securing device. The user interface device is movable with respect to the handle. The user interface device is engageable by a user to move the retaining surface from a first position with respect to the handle wherein a surface of the electronics rack in which a chassis is mounted retains the retaining surface, to a second position wherein the surface of the electronics rack does not retain the retaining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: R. Steven Mills, Steven L. Sands
  • Patent number: 6145898
    Abstract: A door locking device for an electrical apparatus, in particular a household appliance, including a lock having a locking slide, supported in the lock and movable back and forth between an opening position and a closing position, having a blocking device for arresting the locking slide in its closing position, and having a locking tang (1, 51) which drops into the lock as the appliance door is being closed and once the appliance door is in its closed state is in engagement with the locking slide, in which a gear mechanism is permanently operative between the locking slide and the locking tang, for converting the drop-in motion of the locking tang upon closure or the dropping-out motion of the locking tang upon opening of the appliance door into a displacement motion of the locking slide (9, 69) once the blocking device is deactivated, and having a compulsory guidance of the locking tang in the lock in such a way that every opening motion of the appliance door from any arbitrary door position, once the blockin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Oswald Onderka, Gunther Hengelein, Hubert Harrer
  • Patent number: 6129395
    Abstract: A laptop computer includes a base member and a lid member pivotally attached to the base member. A latch member is mounted in the lid member. The latch member includes a top, a bottom, and opposite sides. A hook member protrudes from the top of the latch member. A spring retaining member is positioned adjacent the bottom of the latch member. A pair of flexible snap-in members are positioned on the opposite sides. A first one of the flexible snap-in members is positioned on a first one of the sides and a second one of the flexible snap-in members is positioned on a second one of the sides. The spring retaining member is positioned between the flexible snap-in members. The base member includes a receiver for receiving the hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Maria Carmen Schlesener, Mark Ganninger
  • Patent number: 6082786
    Abstract: A door latch assembly (10) for a glove box door (12) includes a pivot plate (16) mounted on the door and a latch handle (18) pivotally mounted on the pivot plate to move selectively between a latched position and an unlatched position. The handle (18) has a catch (20,22) to engage the glove box enclosure (14) when the latch handle is in a latched position, and disengage from the enclosure when the handle is in an unlatched position. A pair of specialized torsion springs (24) is molded to the pivot plate (16) to bias the latch handle (18) and the catch (20) into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Stephens, John Clark
  • 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: 6055700
    Abstract: A vacuum appliance is disclosed, comprising a collection canister having a lid and a powerhead housing a motor and impeller assembly for establishing vacuum pressure within said canister. The powerhead is removably secured to the lid of the collection canister, such that the powerhead can be removed from the lid and separately used as a blower. Self-actuationg latching devices are provided for removably securing the powerhead to the lid. In one embodiment, the latching device is a unitary, multi-segmented structure having a spring biasing member and a retaining member formed integrally therewith. A journal formed integrally with the latching device is adapted to be received in a bearing defined in a latch socket on the lid, such that the latching device is allowed to pivot with respect to the lid. The spring biasing member functions to bias the latching device to a home pivot position, such that the latching device automatically engages the powerhead when it is lowered onto the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Stuart V. Holsten, Michael F. Martin, Chris Steger
  • Patent number: 6053544
    Abstract: A locking handle for a refrigerator includes a mounting element rigidly secured to a refrigerator door, a hand grip rigidly secured to the mounting element, and a latch attached to the mounting element. The latch has a catch movable between a locked position and an unlocked position and an actuator operably connected to the catch for moving the catch from the locked position to the unlocked position. The latch provides a positive lock which is actuated to an unlocked position with a manipulation separate from pulling the hand grip but has an actuator located near the hand grip so that it can be manipulated by a hand grasping and pulling the hand grip. In a first embodiment, the catch is integrally molded with the mounting portion and is laterally deflectable away from a retainer mounted beside the door. In a second embodiment the catch is a vertically extending spindle which is downwardly movable away from a retainer mounted above the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: White Consoldiated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunnar Alvring, Kenneth Andersson, Per-Olof Lindqvist, Andrew Moseley, Bo Nilsson
  • Patent number: 6039106
    Abstract: The device is an articulated cam with an at least partially rotatable cam arm for mounting a vertical traveling industrial door, constructed from a series of hinged solid panels, to a guide track. The cam arm has a threshold force required for rotation as the cam arm includes a dimple which is engaged by a spring-biased nipple. When this threshold force occurs due to impact on the door, the cam arm rotates and the articulated cam and the door break away from the guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Gontarski, Steven D. Ogden, John J. Gannon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5901501
    Abstract: A fastener for use with a sliding sash window. The fastener has a body (11) with a handle (14) mounted with the body for pivotal movement about a pivot axle (17). A latch tongue (18) is operatively coupled to the handle (14). A latch plate (21) has a latching surface (23) which is engageable in face to face contact with the end of the latch tongue (18). The latching surface (23) is spaced from the pivot axle (17) in the direction in which a sash (S) of a window is movable from a closed position relative to the frame (F) of the window. The handle (14) is movable about the pivot axle (17) to move the end of the latch tongue (18) away from its latching contact with the latching surface (23) of latch plate (21) to permit the window sash (S) to move from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Interlock Group Limited
    Inventor: Howard John Fountaine
  • Patent number: 5810403
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a dishwasher which enables one step initiation of dishwasher operations is described. The latch assembly also provides that the dishwasher does not operate when the dishwasher door is, or can be, opened. In one embodiment, the latch assembly is configured for use in connection with a dishwasher including a door, a tub, and a keeper secured to the tub. The keeper includes a catch and a lock release projection. The latch assembly includes a handle and at least one switch. The handle includes a latch and has a closed position and an open position. The latch is configured to engage the keeper catch when the door is closed and to disengage from the keeper catch when the handle is in the open position. The latch assembly further includes a switch actuator configured to actuate the switch so that the switch is in a conducting state when the door is substantially closed and so that the switch is in a non-conducting state when the handle is substantially in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Luis Esteban Prada
  • Patent number: 5775140
    Abstract: A lock for a cabinet cassette having a drawer comprises a frame structure which carries on one hand a locking bar (47) passing through an opening (50) in a frontal part (23) of drawer, said bar being turnable and projecting from the inside of said frontal part (23), and on the other hand a handle connected to the bar. At least one fixed projection (54) is connected to the frame structure, said projection projecting from the back side of the frontal part, the locking bar (47) being, by turning the handle (48), movable between on one hand a locking turned-up position in which the bar engages behind an upper vertical flange (16) of the frontal frame (6) of the cassette and on the other hand a liberating turned-down position in which the bar is located below the upper side (55) of the projection (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Borgstroms Platindustri AB
    Inventor: Lars Olof Hallsten
  • Patent number: 5618070
    Abstract: The latch assembly disclosed provides a cabinet latch that is both earthquake and child resistant, but which is easy for an adult to open. This assembly can be used on cabinet doors of differing lengths and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Inventors: Robert H. Tunis, Randal R. Schanley
  • Patent number: 5603535
    Abstract: A slam latch for securing a slidable window or door to a corresponding frame consists of a housing including a base plate, a catch and a keeper wherein the catch is spring biased downward against the housing so as to become operatively engaged with the keeper attached to the frame when the door or window is moved to a closed position causing the catch and keeper to become in juxtaposition to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Antonucci, Richard E. Schlack, Paul Krape
  • Patent number: 5580182
    Abstract: Disclosed is an engagement/disengagement mechanism provided on a peripheral allowing the peripheral to be engaged with and disengaged from a notebook computer effortlessly without the need of extra tools. To attach the peripheral to the back of the notebook computer, the user needs just to align the connector and hooks on the peripheral with the counterpart connector and opening on the back of the notebook computer, and then push forcibly the peripheral against the back of the notebook computer. To detach the peripheral from the notebook computer, the user needs just to push the presser down and then pull the peripheral backwards to make the detachment. It is this simple to make the engagement and disengagement between the peripheral and the notebook computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Tien-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 5470143
    Abstract: A suspension unit for roll-out shelves, drawers, etc. is provided for furniture cabinets and the like of the type having a case with slotted interior uprights. The suspension unit includes an inner housing member connected with a drawer or other roll-out furniture member, and an outer housing member operably connected with the inner housing member for smooth longitudinal sliding translation between the same. The outer housing member has prongs which engage the slotted upright when shifted longitudinally in a first direction. A resiliently flexible lock arm is connected with the outer housing member, and is configured to assume a normally outwardly protruding position. The lock arm is laterally flexible into an inwardly retracted position, and is oriented generally opposite the direction of the prongs, such that when the prongs are inserted into the slotted uprights, the lock arm abuts and adjacent upright to shift the lock arm into the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Gill
  • Patent number: 5452544
    Abstract: A tamper resistant gate latching mechanism utilizes a pivotal latch bar extending from a tamper resistant housing mounted to a free end of a movable gate and a cooperative catch member mounted to a gate post for engagement with said latch bar such that alignment of the latch bar with the catch member obscures the fasteners latching catch member to the gate post thereby shielding the fastener from tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Roy E. Weathington, Sr
  • Patent number: 5393110
    Abstract: A cover opening/closing device prevents backlash when the cover is closed, by engaging the cover with a lock cam and urging the lock cam to be rotated into positions by a toggle spring. For this object, this device comprises a lock cam which is rotated about a rotational shaft provided in a main body, an operation lever which rotates the lock cam to open the cover, and a toggle spring which is designed to maintain the lock cam in urged states at the respective cover-opened and cover-closed positions. The lock cam can be kept urged in the cover-closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamori, Kazunori Kono
  • Patent number: 5342102
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a sliding door, which comprises a casing having an L-shaped latch member including a finger application arm and a latch arm, the L-shaped latch member being pivoted by a transversal pivotal pin at the intersection of the finger application and latch arms, and a striker having a circular hole, the latch arm having a free end portion formed on the back surface thereof with a latch projection capable of being engaged in and disengaged from the circular hole of the striker, the L-shaped latch being rotationally biased in the latching direction by a torsion spring, the latch projection having a front edge face formed with an inclined cam face, the latch projection having a circular sectional profile having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the circular hole of the striker. The latch projection can be reliably engaged in and disengaged from the striker hole even if there is a slight deviation from the design position of securement between the striker and casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhide Takimoto
  • Patent number: 5261712
    Abstract: A latch mechanism attaches an access door to a frame. The frame has a horizontally extending ledge with an opening formed therein. A pin is rigidly attached to the frame spaced apart from the opening. A latch opening is formed in the access door. A lever is pivotally mounted on the pin and has an end which integrally forms a wedge-shaped latch member, and a part of the lever engages the frame to form a pivot axis about which the lever pivots. A spring is mounted on the pin and is biassed to hold the lever in a position wherein the latch member is received by the latch opening when the door is in a closed position. The lever is comprised of a flat metal strip including a bent portion which pivotally engages the frame and includes a first section which extends between the latch member and the pivot axis. The lever includes a second section which is positioned on the other side of the pivot axis and which is normally spaced apart from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bernhard Walter
  • Patent number: 5224743
    Abstract: A lock assembly allows selective locking of a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pivotally mounted to the refuse container. In one embodiment, the control bar is selectively connected to a spring such that when the container is to be locked, the control bar and locking bar are connected to the spring by a lock and in order to open the container the bias of the spring must be overcome. The spring is set such that this bias is easily overcome by engagement of the coupler of a refuse collection truck. When the lock is removed, the control bar is separated from the spring and the locking bar freely rotates. In another embodiment, the locking bar is connected to a spring bias control bar by articulated connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: E.S. Avalon Company
    Inventors: Steven Dawdy, Peter J. Rosewig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5213382
    Abstract: A lock assembly for selectively locking a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pivotally mounted to the refuse container. In one embodiment, the control bar is selectively connected to a spring such that when the container is to be locked, the control bar and locking bar are connected to the spring by a lock and in order to open the container the bias of the spring must be overcome. The spring is set such that this bias is easily overcome by engagement of the coupler of a refuse collection truck. When the lock is removed, the locking bar is separated from the spring and the locking bar freely rotates. In another embodiment, the locking bar is connected to a spring control bar by articulated connecting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: E.S. Avalon Company
    Inventors: Steven Dawdy, Peter J. Rosewig, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5200883
    Abstract: A compact electronic apparatus includes a housing substantially in the form of a rectangular prism. The top face of the housing includes a substantially rectangular front half portion on which a keyboard unit is mounted and a substantially rectangular rear half portion continuous with the rear face. The housing includes a pair of receiving recess openings to the rear half portion of the top surface and the rear surface. A battery pack and an optional component each having substantially the same shape as their respective recess, are each removably fitted in their receiving recess. The battery pack and optional component each have an outer surface which is exposed to the outside and constitutes part of the rear face of the housing and part of the rear half portion of the top face when the battery pack optional component are fitted in their respective receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takaichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5198966
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a base unit having a keyboard and a display unit rotatably coupled to the base unit. The display unit is rotatable between a closed position where the keyboard is covered and an open position where the keyboard is exposed. A latch member is provided on the externally exposed area of the display unit and latched to an externally exposed area of the base unit when the display unit is rotated to a closed position. The latch member is so mounted on the display unit as to be rotated toward and away from the display unit. The latch member is normally urged in a direction to rotate into engagement with the base unit under an action of a latching spring. The latching spring maintains the latch member in an engaged relation to the base unit when the display unit is rotated to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takaichi Kobayashi, Mitsuhiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5129341
    Abstract: A retaining device for coupling a cover to a sewing machine. A stop is fixed in the base. A lever has a middle portion pivotally supported on a support which is fixed on a bottom of the cover. A handle is formed on one end of the lever and is reachable from outside of the cover. A pawl is formed on the other end of the lever. A spring is provided to bias the pawl to engage with the stop so that the cover can be retained in a closed position. When the handle is pulled upward, the pawl can be separated from the stop so that the cover can be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Shui-Nu Wang
  • Patent number: 5066055
    Abstract: A locking device for a closable box-shaped hood provided in an industrial vehicle. The hood has a recess on its lateral surface, a rotatable locking unit having a lever is provided in the recess, and a hood catch for engaging with a key-shaped section of the locking unit is provided on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takeshi Saitoh, Nozomu Kohno
  • Patent number: 4974887
    Abstract: A locking device to prevent relative sliding movement between two relatively movable members, for example, sliding window and sliding door members, one of said relatively movable members having at least one opening which can be placed in a predetermined position thereon. The other of said two relatively movable members having said locking device mounted thereon, the locking device including a mounting member having a base portion and a pair of oppositely facing portions projecting upwardly therefrom, said base portion provided with a pair of spaced mounting apertures and a spring retaining detent, a spring biased lever member pivotally mounted within said oppositely facing portions, an inwardly projecting locking pin provided on one end of said lever member which is biased into locking engagement with said at least one opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventor: Dominic Pucci
  • Patent number: 4932693
    Abstract: A gate latch assembly includes a pair of cover members having a common plane of symmetry. A first cover member defines a recess receiving an adjoining lever and spacer block, each having its own plane of symmetry perpendicular to the cover plane of symmetry. The spacer block includes a pair of recesses on opposing sides of the block at one end thereof for receiving the lever on either side of the block. The remaining cover member closes the recess and defines another recess with the first cover member for receiving a portion of a gate or other swinging member on which the gate assembly is mounted. The symmetry of the assembly permits it to be used for left-handed or right-handed and inside or outside opening. A preferred hinge includes a pair of identical post leaves and a gate leaf. Each post leaf includes a knuckle and a post plate supported tangentially from the knuckle by an extenison portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Jerith Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce H. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 4930821
    Abstract: A cover-locking device for a video tape cassette which includes a cover-locking pin having a lock-releasing protrusion and an engaging protrusion. The cover-locking pin is pivotably supported in a lower-half of the cassette. The cover-locking device also includes a spring member which is integrally formed on and protrudes upwardly and outwardly from the upper surface of the cover-locking pin between two supporting shafts so as to be urged upon the side inner surface of the chamber formed in the tape cassette when supported in the lower-half of the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: SKC Limited
    Inventor: Hyo Keun Jang
  • Patent number: 4907832
    Abstract: A secondary locking mechanism having a lock mountable to a sliding closure, such as a sliding window or sliding patio door, and a stop block mountable to a frame member which mounts the sliding closure. The lock has a pivotable stop arm which is spring-retained in an inactive position wherein a foot of the stop arm travels in a path of movement along with the sliding closure which is out of interfering relation with the stop block and an active position wherein the foot of the stop arm is positioned to engage beneath an inclined end of the stop block to prevent further movement of the sliding closure in a direction toward the stop block. One or more stop blocks can be mounted in various positions on the frame member to assist in locking the sliding closure in a fully-closed position and to prevent further opening movement of the sliding closure when it is in a partially-open vent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Truth Incorporated
    Inventor: Whitley Pemberton
  • Patent number: 4850209
    Abstract: Flush mountable pulls, latches and locks for industrial cabinets, tool carts, electrical equipment enclosures and the like utilize a versatile housing together with other components of novel form mounted on the housing to provide a variety of desired features. Pull handles as well as latch and lock operating handles of a wide variety of types can be connected to the housing, as can a wide variety of latch bolt mechanisms that are configured to engage various types of strikers or keeper formations. The resulting arrangement provides sturdy pull, latch and lock assemblies that employ a small number of parts that can be assembled, installed and serviced with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Lee S. Weinerman, Steven A. Mayo, Joel T. Vargus, Frank R. Albris, Richard H. Russell, Thomas V. McLinden, Richard M. O'Grady, Timothy H. Wentzell
  • Patent number: 4850624
    Abstract: A suitcase lock with a counterconditioning action is provided with a snap to open and close the suitcase through a push operation. A movable cotter is inserted into a hole on a support at the bottom surface of a push part of the snap. A cotter hole is provided to the upper edge plane of a base which corresponds in position to the cotter and is toward the upper cover of the suitcase. When the suitcase is placed in a normal state, there is a gap between the movable cotter and the upper edge planes of the base so as to not affect the push operation of the snap when used to open and close the suitcase. When the suitcase is placed upside down, the cotter is subject to the effect of gravity automatically inserts into the cotter hole on the upper edge plane of the base so that the snap cannot be pushed to open the suitcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Castip Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung T. Lee
  • Patent number: 4850208
    Abstract: Flush mountable latches and locks for industrial cabinets, tool carts, electrical equipment enclosures and the like utilize versatile housings of novel configuration together with push-to-operate handles that are pivotally movable relative to the housings to effect unlatching movements of spring-biased, pivotally mounted latch bolts. The lock-type embodiment has a locking mechanism that is mounted on the housing to selectively permit and prevent unlatching movements of its pivotal latch bolt. The resulting arrangement provides sturdy latch and lock assemblies that employ a small number of relatively movable parts that can be assembled, installed and serviced with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Lee S. Weinerman, Steven A. Mayo, Thomas V. McLinden, Timothy H. Wentzell
  • Patent number: 4838056
    Abstract: Flush mountable latches and locks for industrial cabinets, tool carts, electrical equipment enclosures and the like utilize versatile housings of novel configuration together with pivotally nestable and extensible handles that are movable relative to their housings to effect latching and unlatching movements of a resilient, expansible latch member. Locking mechanisms are mountable on the housings to selectively permit and prevent unlatching movements of the latch member. The resulting arrangement provides sturdy latch and lock assemblies that employ a small number of relatively movable parts that can be assembled and serviced with ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Lee S. Weinerman, Steven A. Mayo, Thomas V. McLinden, Timothy H. Wentzell
  • Patent number: 4776620
    Abstract: According to the invention, a fixed bolt is provided on the door of a dishwashing apparatus and cooperates with a strike plate on a cabinet, against which the door seats in a closed position, to latch the door in the closed position. The strike plate in addition to latching the door, concurrently activates a switch that is fixedly mounted on the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Marks, Geoffrey L. Dingler
  • Patent number: 4771672
    Abstract: A gun port assembly includes:(a) a slidable closure,(b) structure forming a port and carrying the closure for sliding movement into and out of closing relation with the port,(c) a latching shoulder on the structure,(d) a latching lever pivotably carried by the closure and having a first portion engageable with the shoulder in closed position of the closure to block opening movement of the closure,(e) the latching lever having a second portion projecting for displacement by the user to pivot the lever first portion out of engagement with that shoulder and to displace the closure out of closing relation with the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Armored Transport, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Miller
  • Patent number: 4763933
    Abstract: An improved latching arrangement for selectively latching two members together to prevent relative movement there between in first directions. The two members may, for example, be the fixed and sliding windows of a sliding window. The improved latch means of the latching arrangement of the present invention is pivotally mounted on the moving member and is resiliently biased towards the fixed member. The latch means has a lip means that is engagable with a shoulder means on the fixed member when the latch means is in the latched position. The latch means is pivotally moveable away from the fixed member so that the lip clears the shoulder to allow relative movement of the sliding member with respect to the fixed member. The latch means is also provided with a swivel cam extending outwardly from the latch means into a channel in the second member in a locking condition thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: A-l Aluminum Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James F. Guardia
  • Patent number: 4690440
    Abstract: A gate latch structure with a striker bar is mounted on a fence gate hinge mounted to the fence. A gate handle is provided that has a striker bar enclosing loop reinforcing the mounting of the striker bar on the gate. The latch structure also includes a pivotal latch member pivotally mounted on a latch mounting back plate that is mountable on a fence post or the middle end of the other half of a double gate. The striker bar receiving opening in the pivotal latch member has a rear edge recessed back from the rear end of the striker bar receiving opening in the latch mounting back plate. With this structure the back plate absorbs striker bar closing impact directly rather than such impact being imposed on the pivotal latch member and on the pivot screw mounting the pivotal latch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Gerald H. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4648640
    Abstract: A sliding gate latch device having concentric mutually slideable tubular members, an inner one mounted to the sliding gate and the other sliding thereover, the inner tubular member carrying an articulated jaw which engages a pin or bolt on a fixed structure to which the gate is closed. A combination lock is adapted to lock the tubular members together. A rotatable tongue also positions itself within the outer tubular member when the jaw is in the locked position to prevent opening when the tubular members are locked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Inventor: Joseph F. Giordano
  • Patent number: 4578904
    Abstract: A window having a fixed sash which can be easily removed and replaced for cleaning the transparent windowpane or for replacement of the windowpane in the event of breakage. The fixed sash of the window is usually associated with the upper portion of a window frame with a movable bottom vent being mounted in the window frame for vertical movement between a lowered closed position and a raised open position with a latch mechanism securing the movable vent in closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Rabitsch
  • Patent number: 4536022
    Abstract: A gate latch device shown for swinging and sliding gates. In the swinging gate embodiment, a latch bar rides over a strike plate until a notch in the latch bar is engaged. A pin is simultaneously depressed by contact with the strike plate which releases a latching pin or bolt to immobilize the latch bar until a manual release is effected from a visually non-obvious location. For a sliding gate, concentric mutually slideable tubular members are provided, one mounted to the sliding gate and the other carrying an articulated jaw which engages a pin or bolt on a fixed structure on a fixed structure to which the gate is closed. A combination lock is adapted to lock the tubular members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventor: Joseph F. Giordano
  • Patent number: 4534586
    Abstract: An automatic locking device (402) is disclosed that can be utilized to secure a first member (40) to a second member (10). The device includes a latching member (12) with an integral spring member (18), the latching member being attached to a bolt member (11). The bolt member (11) is inserted into the first member (40) and then is inserted in an opening (15) in the latching member (12). Thereafter, an E-shaped retaining ring (13) is attached to a shank end of the bolt member (11) to secure the bolt member (11) to the latching member (12). The spring member (18) is continuously biased via a projecting portion (410) in the first member (40). When the first and second members are properly engaged with one another, the latch member (12) enters a detent (116) in the second member (10) and retains the first member (40) securely in place. Thereafter, the bolt member (11) can be rotated to release the latching member (12) from the detent (116) facilitating detachment of the first member (40) from the second (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Arnold R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4524470
    Abstract: A lock mechanism normally restraining manual raising movement of a toilet lid. A lid control shoe has an outer portion adapted for attachment to a lid upper surface and a shelf portion projecting toward a toilet apron surface. A lid control arm is mounted on a medially positioned shelf pivot and has a short portion extending toward the shoe outer portion and a long portion extending toward an area adjacent the apron surface. Tension elements and a stop element carried by the shoe shelf normally position the control arm long portion and a vertical flange thereon in proximity to the apron surface. Preferably, the lid control arm projects upwardly toward the toilet apron surface at an angle of substantially five degrees (5.degree.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: David J. Grenell
  • Patent number: 4492396
    Abstract: A one-piece, slam-type latch for snap-in installation in an orifice of a door is provided for maintaining the door in a closed position relative to a door frame having an extending keeper means. The latch includes a first portion having a generally rectangular configuration, and a second portion extending normally outward from the first portion for insertion through the orifice. One end of the second portion is in integral attachment with one side of the first portion. The other end of the second portion is provided with at least one indentation for interlocking engagement with the keeper means. A leaf spring is integrally attached to the second portion and extends angularly from the second portion toward the first portion. The latch is further provided with a third portion in integral engagement with the first and second portions. The third portion extends planarly outward from the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Siemens-Allis, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger D. Luke, Wayne A. Ingram, Michael S. Jarrell
  • Patent number: 4438596
    Abstract: A removable safety barricade, comprising a cross piece supported by a retaining cup and a latch and able to withstand large forces. The latch supports the cross piece in a U-shaped, lower support area, the cross piece not normally being in contact with the upper release mechanism. The invention further provides for a one way gate opening only inwardly of the latch to close off the support area and confine the gate within the latch, the gate hanging at an angle with respect to the top of the latch when closed so that its own weight automatically closes the gate and resists accidental opening. The gate can have an extending tab to provide for easy opening, and the invention further provides for a spacer plate disposed within the support area of the latch to prevent the cross piece from accidentally striking open the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Inventors: Johnnie Jones, Joseph A. Einig, Arthur T. Ackerson
  • Patent number: 4415180
    Abstract: First and second frame members on a stroller partially overlap one another and are generally parallel. A latch member is pivotably connected to the first frame member and biased to a position wherein it embraces an end of the second member. The latch member has a cam surface thereon so that finger pressures may be applied to pivot the latch frame member against the spring bias or so that the end of the second member may contact the surface and pivot the latch member whereby the second member will be snapped to a latched position without finger manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignee: Dawn Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Rex E. Payne, Jr.