Motor Controlled Patents (Class 292/341.16)
  • Patent number: 12146345
    Abstract: A locking mechanism includes a hasp having a tongue disposed along a first side of the hasp, and a captive latch pin protruding from the hasp disposed away from the tongue. The locking mechanism includes an actuator assembly with a captive latch and an actuator configured to manipulate the captive latch. The captive latch may receive the captive latch pin of the hasp. A body locking mechanism can obstruct access to at least a portion of the hasp and the actuator assembly, wherein the hasp may slidably move when the captive latch pin is not retained by the captive latch, and wherein a retention of the captive latch pin by the captive latch arrests the slidable movement of the hasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: OPENTECH ALLIANCE, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Chiti, Jon Loftin, Frank Dunkin, Jer Schweickart, Doug Subler
  • Patent number: 12123222
    Abstract: An electronic locking apparatus for an entryway, having a linkage coupled to an entryway frame case, and a solenoid associated with the case, the solenoid is configured to selectively engage with the linkage. The linkage is movable between a locked position blocking movement of a latch bolt from the latched position to the unlatched position and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt to the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: JANUS INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Leon Schroeder, Yannick Funk
  • Patent number: 12110110
    Abstract: An aircraft barrier system separating, within an aircraft, a secure area from a passenger cabin of the aircraft, comprises a barrier installed inside the passenger cabin and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, a latch mounted to the barrier, and a locking device comprising a latching clamp configured to lock the latch when the barrier is in the closed position. The aircraft barrier system further comprises a release mechanism configured to move the latching clamp from a locking state locking the latch to an unlocking state releasing the latch, wherein the release mechanism is further configured to delay the moving of the latching clamp from the locking state to the unlocking state. Also, an aircraft area and an aircraft having such aircraft barrier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH, Airbus Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Joerg Kohlstette, Frank Cordes, John Brewster
  • Patent number: 11959310
    Abstract: The electric strike can have a housing having an internal face receivable against a receiving face of a door frame, an external strike face, a socket recessed into the strike face along a socket axis normal to the receiving face of the door frame, for receiving a male locking member retractably mounted to a door, the male locking member also being moveable transversally to the socket axis, along a horizontal escape path, by opening the door, the electric strike further having a keeper pivotally mounted around a pivot axis between a closed configuration and an open configuration, the pivot axis parallel to the socket axis and offset from the escape path on a first side of the socket, inside the housing, the keeper having a gate member forming a restraining wall of the socket blocking the escape path when in the closed configuration, and a distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: DORMAKABA CANADA INC.
    Inventor: Mandeep Singh
  • Patent number: 11763611
    Abstract: The application discloses an electronic door lock with an unlocking monitoring function and a working method thereof, belonging to the technical field of intelligent locks, which comprises a lock body, a mechanical unlocking member connected to a deadbolt assembly, a main control board arranged in the lock body, and a micro switch electrically connected to the main control board. The mechanical unlocking member comprises a knob that is rotatably arranged on the lock body, and a paddle that is synchronously and coaxially driven by the knob. When the knob drives the deadbolt assembly to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state, the paddle can be rotated to trigger the micro switch. A wireless transmitting module for transmitting the trigger signal of the micro switch is integrated on the control board. The mechanical unlocking monitoring function is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Zhongshan Xianju Intelligent Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Xijin Chen, Yinglong Chen
  • Patent number: 11629527
    Abstract: A latch control device includes a connecting seat divided by two integrally formed walls into a hollow portion and a mounting portion spaced from the hollow portion. A detecting module is disposed between the two walls. A locking member is pivotably mounted between the two walls. A first restraining member is disposed in the mounting area and is configured to lock or unlock the locking member, controlling pivotal movement of the locking member. When the locking member is not pivotable, a latch of a door lock in the hollow portion is restrained in the hollow portion, preventing opening of a door to which the door lock is mounted. When the locking member is pivotable, the locking member can pivot while the door pivots, permitting opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: I-TEK METAL MFG. CO., LTD
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11536054
    Abstract: An electric strike lock is disclosed. The electric strike lock cooperates with a lock when in use. The lock has a lock tongue. The electric strike lock includes a base. The base has an opening for accommodating the lock tongue. The base has a pair of grooves corresponding to two opposite sides of the opening. Two sliding members are slidably disposed in the respective grooves. The sliding members are connected with at least one driving unit for the sliding members to slide closer to each other so that the lock tongue is engaged in the opening, or for the sliding members to gradually slide away from each other so that the lock tongue is disengaged from the opening, thereby performing locking and unlocking operations on a door in a sliding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: POWERTEK HARDWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 11492142
    Abstract: A tolerance compensation subassembly in the form of a tolerance compensation element or a tolerance compensation region to improve the production, maintenance and repair of aircraft. The tolerance compensation subassembly contains an actuator which is formed from an electro-active polymer so that the tolerance compensation subassembly is electrically switchable between a fixed state and a non-fixed state. As a result, automation of the assembly of aircraft components on each other can be enabled or facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Matthias Hegenbart, Peter Linde
  • Patent number: 11459795
    Abstract: An electric strike for a door frame, comprising: a body; a keeper moveably attached to the body for selectively retaining a latch bolt on a door; a blocking element movable between a blocking position in which the blocking element locks the keeper to prevent a latch from being moved past the keeper, and an unblocking position in which the blocking element unlocks the keeper to allow the latch to move past the keeper; an electronically controlled electric actuator for moving the blocking element between the blocking position and the unblocking position; and an override mechanism to override the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: RMD INNOVATIONS PTY. LTD.
    Inventors: Geoff Ross, Andrew Marget, Philip Millikin, Michael Maloney
  • Patent number: 11421444
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that operate a door latch of a door of a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system electronically based on operating a locking engagement device. The locking engagement device may be disposed on an outer portion of a door, the latch may be part of a latching system disposed on an inner portion of the door, and the locking engagement device may transmit a signal indicating that the locking engagement device is in an open or closed position to the latching system via a conductor electronically coupling the locking engagement device and the latching system. In some embodiments, the locking engagement device may transmit a signal indicating that the locking engagement device is in an open or closed position to a controller, which may then instruct the latching system to open or close the latch based on receiving the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Karla D. Alvarez Cavazos, Ryan L. Snider, Nicholas P. Mislak
  • Patent number: 11408204
    Abstract: An electric door strike assembly includes a housing and at least one keeper arm. The housing has an opening for admission and retraction of a door latch. The at least one keeper arm has a latch portion and is mounted on the housing. The at least one keeper arm is movable between a closed position, where the opening is occluded by the latch portion, and an open position, where the door latch may be released from the opening. The latch portion may include a bifurcated member having inside and outside legs arranged in spaced parallel relation so as to define a gap therebetween. The gap is configured to receive a latch plate of an interlocking latch mechanism when the at least one keeper arm is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua T. Peabody, Dan Van Dusen, John Brennan
  • Patent number: 11339586
    Abstract: Lock device (1) which incorporates a closure assembly (2) that can move between an open position and a closed position, a locking device to lock said closure assembly (2) in the closed position, a first actuator (3, 31) and a second actuator (4, 41), both the first actuator (3, 31) and the second actuator (4, 41) having a locked position, in which a locking or retention action is applied, and an unlocked position, both the first and the second actuators having respective control devices which allow orders to be given to change the position of each respective actuator, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are arranged in such a way that unlocking the locking device requires that both control devices place their respective actuator in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: MONTAJES ELECTRONICOS DORCAS, S.L
    Inventors: Pablo Ibañez Roig, Juan Gonzalez Sisternas
  • Patent number: 11332960
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides a door strike which prevents the opening of an associated door when the door strike has been heated to an elevated temperature of at least about 1000° F., preferably when the door strike is at higher temperatures such as are present during a fire in a building structure. The door strike includes a thermally responsive element which retards the normal operation of the door strike when it is at an elevated temperature. A further aspect of the invention is a method for controlling the undesired spread of a fire or smoke between adjacent spaces separated by the door wherein a fire or smoke condition exists in at least one of these spaces, via the provision of a door strike having a thermally responsive element which retards the normal operation of the door strike when it is at an elevated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: TRINE ACCESS TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Fred H. Schildwachter, Ferdinand E. Orbeta
  • Patent number: 11286696
    Abstract: A tailgate latch assembly for restraining a striker of a tailgate, which is opened or closed rearward of a vehicle, or for releasing restraint of the striker includes: a pawl configured to be rotated by a drive motor, the pawl being supported resiliently in a direction opposite to a direction of being rotated by the drive motor in a housing; a claw supported resiliently in a direction in which restraint of the striker is released in the housing, the claw being configured to be rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of being supported resiliently when the striker is restrained in the claw; and a memory lever having a first end for supporting a side face of the pawl when the pawl is rotated beyond a predetermined angle by the drive motor and a second end fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, PYEONG HWA AUTOMOTIVE CO LTD
    Inventors: Ki-Hyun Cho, Kyung-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11248397
    Abstract: Various implementations of an electric strike are described that includes a casing housing that includes a power source, a lock mechanism, circuitry powered by the power source, the circuitry being configured to authenticate a user, and electro-mechanically actuate the lock mechanism, and a rotor coupled to the lock mechanism, the rotor being powered by the power source and configured to situate the lock mechanism based on a lock state of the electric strike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: NEXKEY, INC.
    Inventors: Chi (Ricky) Lee, William J. Rehlich, Peter R. Russo
  • Patent number: 11220846
    Abstract: An electric strike having two keepers arranged to pivot about respective shafts extending in a longitudinal direction, a lock lever for locking the keepers in a door-locking position, the lock lever being arranged to pivot about a second shaft extending in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the backside of the strike; and an actuation mechanism for actuating the lock lever. The keepers form side walls of a bolt cavity and are arranged to pivot between a door-locking position and a door-releasing position. Therefore, the bolt may exit the cavity in two directions, e.g., a first direction for a left-handed closure member and a second direction for a right-handed closure member. The strike can thus be mounted in the same orientation for both left-handed and right-handed closure members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: LOCINOX
    Inventor: Joseph Talpe
  • Patent number: 11180931
    Abstract: A door lock device is worked in cooperate with a latch bolt, and includes a solenoid device engaged in a housing, a catch member pivotally attached to the housing with a spindle, two arms connected between the catch member and the spindle, and the solenoid device includes a shaft slidably engaged in a receptacle, and the shaft includes an upper end portion extendible upwardly beyond the receptacle and a lower end portion extendible downwardly beyond the receptacle, and the solenoid device includes two anchors on the upper end portion for selectively engaging with the upper arm, and two stops on the lower end portion for selectively engaging with the lower arm of the latch device, and for allowing the catch member to be evenly engaged with the latch bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: GIANNI INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Chih Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 11136791
    Abstract: A modularized electric latch control device includes a mounting seat and a locking cap device pivotably mounted to the mounting seat and pivotable relative to the mounting seat between a closure position and a non-closure position. Optionally mounted to the electric latch control device are a stopper, a closure member, a locking latch restraining frame, a first escutcheon, and a second escutcheon. The electric latch control device is selectively assembled into a first mode (including the first escutcheon), a second mode (including the closure member, the stopper, and the second escutcheon), or a third mode (including the locking latch restraining frame, the stopper, and the second escutcheon) for cooperating with a cylindrical latch device, a first box type latch device, or a second box type latch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: I-Tek Metal Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11108650
    Abstract: A system for providing local and remote access to an I/O device includes a hardware device having a microprocessor, an I/O interface, a LAN interface, and a WAN interface. The microprocessor is configured to coordinate the I/O interface, the LAN interface, and the WAN interface. The hardware device is configured to provide plug-and-play functionality with respect to an I/O device in communication with the hardware device via the I/O interface. A cloud server is in electronic communication with the hardware via the LAN interface. A first client device is in electronic communication with the cloud server and configured to access the hardware device therethrough. A second client device is in electronic communication with the hardware device via the WAN interface. A user of the system can access, control, and/or monitor the I/O device via the hardware device upon accessing the hardware device using the first or second client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Tyrion Integration Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Goehring, David Pitzer, Curtis Reedy
  • Patent number: 11001959
    Abstract: A door-lock system for a household appliance, such as a washing machine and the like, of the type provided with a door, to which a hook is associated, and a member to be moved (C) of said household appliance, such as a washing drum (C) or the like, said door-lock system comprising motor means for operating said member to be moved (C) and a door-lock device, capable of interacting with said hook, to lock said door, characterized in that said door-lock system comprises a control unit, capable of controlling the power supply of said motor means and connected to said door-lock device, so as to control the power supply to hold said hook and to close said door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BITRON S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Promutico, Paolo Da Pont
  • Patent number: 10991183
    Abstract: A system for securing a protected area (such as an internal compartment of a safe) by locking an operable opening (such as a door) in a closed position. The invention comprises a wireless lock system that may include an input apparatus located on the outside of the protected area that communicates wirelessly with other components of the lock system located inside the protected area. Various wireless technologies may be employed including, for example, infrared communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: SA Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Glogovsky, Ben Lavallee, Paul Hunt
  • Patent number: 10907385
    Abstract: A powered latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly, actuatable inside and outside handles, a powered actuator and a door controller that causes the powered actuator to unlatch the latch assembly upon actuation of the inside and outside door handles. The latch assembly may be mechanically unlatched by a user within a vehicle interior even if the powered actuator does not actuate due to a loss of electrical power or other failure. The controller can be programmed to unlatch the latch assembly according to various criteria as required to meet the specific requirements of different markets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Patent number: 10563436
    Abstract: A powered latch system for a door of a vehicle including a latch assembly, actuatable inside and outside handles, a powered actuator and a door controller that causes the powered actuator to unlatch the latch assembly upon actuation of the inside and outside door handles. The latch assembly may be mechanically unlatched by a user within a vehicle interior even if the powered actuator does not actuate due to a loss of electrical power or other failure. The controller can be programmed to unlatch the latch assembly according to various criteria as required to meet the specific requirements of different markets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Kosta Papanikolaou
  • Patent number: 10519695
    Abstract: A cathode lock comprising: a lock body 1 mounted on a door or on a door frame and a lock tongue capable of locking with the lock body 1. A lock catch 6 capable of locking with the lock tongue is arranged on the lock body 1. A solenoid 9 capable of generating an electromagnetic force when electrified is also mounted on the lock body 1. A breaking apparatus 10 capable of jamming the lock catch is connected to one end of the solenoid 9. The solenoid 9 is electrified to generate the electromagnetic force, and the breaking apparatus 10 is driven into motion under the effect of the electromagnetic force, thus allowing the breaking apparatus 10 to either be abutted against or separated from the lock catch 6. Also disclosed is a method for cathode lock to switch between a normally-opened state and a normally-closed stated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SHANGHAI ONE TOP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsung-chih Chang
  • Patent number: 10501983
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic door opener comprising a housing for installing in a door frame, a pivotable cover which can be rotated between an open position and a closed position, and a security device operating counter to a forced rotation of the cover from the closed position into the open position, which comprises a primary security step and a secondary security step. Said door opener is characterized in that the secondary security step comprises a locking element which is supported in a form fit on the base of the housing of the door opener housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ELDOMAT INNOVATIVE SICHERHEIT GMBH
    Inventor: Eberhard Bartholdi
  • Patent number: 10435916
    Abstract: The locking system is provided for controlling the unlocking of a door by an electronic key. The locking system has a first pack configured to be received within a first recessed area of the door, the first pack having an actuator configured and adapted to move a bolt slidingly housed in the lock pack; a second pack configured to be received within a second recessed area of the door; a reader interface adapted to receive an input from the electronic key and a controller adapted to receive the input from the reader interface, authenticate the input, and control the actuator based on the authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: DORMAKABA USA INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Heisler, Kyle Stopczynski, James Mills, Leo Laperriere, Sylvain Martel
  • Patent number: 10113334
    Abstract: An electric strike lock has a strike body, a latch having a latch bolt and a deadlatch, a keeper having a stop block to abut against the deadlatch, and an adjusting section having an elliptical adjusting hole corresponding to a screw hole on the keeper and an adjusting piece fitting a shape of the elliptical adjusting hole and having an eccentric through hole for an adjusting screw to pass through and to be screwed to the screw hole. The keeper further combined with a solenoid which has a movable rod passing through the keeper and engaging the stop block, and the elliptical adjusting hole has its major axis arranged in the same direction as an axis of the solenoid. By changing the placement of the adjusting piece, the positions of the stop block and the deadlatch can be altered to adjust the strike lock into a fail-safe or a fail-secure strike lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Li-Shih Liao
  • Patent number: 10100556
    Abstract: A door security system and method may increase the home security for elderly people without limiting the privacy of or convenience for residents. The method comprises detecting closing of a door; keeping a first locking mechanism of said door in an open position for a first predetermined period of time after said closing; after said predetermined period of time, changing said first locking mechanism into a locked position. The re-entry time frame permits a user to re-enter without a key, immediately after realizing they forgot it. The method may further comprise recognizing motion of a person on a door of a house through a camera provided in or near the door; producing streaming footage; sending the streaming footage to a central processing server; processing the streaming footage for face recognition purpose and checking against several; and storing all data on the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventor: Rudolf King
  • Patent number: 10087671
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body and a door that is movably mounted to the body. The door has a powered latch and an electrically-powered actuator that extends and retracts a plunger from an inner side of the door. A controller unlatches the powered latch and actuates the electrically-powered actuator such that the plunger contacts the body and pushes the door open. The controller then controls the electrically-powered actuator to retract the plunger while the door is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Constantin Manolescu, James Parsons Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10072440
    Abstract: An electric strike assembly includes a housing formed with a recessed portion, a keeper pivotally arranged in the recessed portion of the housing, the keeper having an abutment, an actuator assembly having an actuator and an actuator paddle, and a blocking element rotatably mounted in the recessed portion of the housing, wherein cooperation of the actuator paddle with the blocking element is controlled by rotation of the actuator and determines a locking condition of the keeper based on a rotational position of the blocking element with respect to the abutment. In accordance with other aspects of the present disclosure, a locking system includes a door assembly having a latch, a door frame for mounting the door assembly, and an electric strike assembly mounted in the door frame. A method of controlling access through a door includes providing an electric strike assembly in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Dormakaba Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Mandeep Singh, Ryan McMillan
  • Patent number: 10072441
    Abstract: An electric strike assembly includes a housing formed with a recessed portion therein, a keeper assembly pivotably mounted in the recessed portion of the housing, a lock leg pivotably mounted in the recessed portion of the housing and configured to rotate independently of the rotation of the keeper assembly, a block assembly having a blocking element configured to engage and disengage the keeper assembly, and to control engagement and disengagement of the blocking element with the keeper assembly. A method of capturing and releasing a latch bolt mounted in a door includes mounting an electric strike assembly in an associated door jamb and controlling an actuator to rotate an actuator paddle to engage a blocking element such that the blocking element is engaged or disengaged from a keeper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Dormakaba Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Mandeep Singh
  • Patent number: 10049910
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent a semiconductor substrate from being damaged when the substrate is conveyed by a conveying robot provided in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. A diffusion furnace apparatus has a diffusion furnace that processes a semiconductor wafer, a quartz boat that is arranged in the diffusion furnace to store the semiconductor wafer, and a conveying robot that delivers the semiconductor wafer between the quartz boat and a cassette carried in from the outside. Further, the conveying robot includes a column-like sensor support unit provided at a part that is not turned, and a first sensor that detects the presence or absence of the semiconductor wafer held on a plate of the conveying robot and a second sensor that detects the positional displacement of the semiconductor wafer held on the plate are provided at the sensor support unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Kirino, Shinji Nakaguma
  • Patent number: 9981533
    Abstract: A liftgate/decklid assembly for a motor vehicle includes a liftgate panel hingedly connected to the vehicle to define a liftgate swing arc. A decklid panel is hingedly connected to the liftgate panel to define a decklid swing arc. The decklid and liftgate panels are not aligned, causing the decklid swing arc to be different from the liftgate swing arc. The assembly further includes a liftgate/decklid assembly closure mechanism including an articulating striker configured for translation between a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation is normal to the liftgate swing arc and the second orientation is normal to the decklid swing arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global technologies LLC
    Inventors: Paul Elia, Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Henry W. Hausler, John Patrick Doyle
  • Patent number: 9909245
    Abstract: A method for controlling additive deposition in a washing machine appliance includes transmitting, after a first agitation of a load within a tub of the washing machine appliance, an additive deposition signal to a user of the washing machine appliance. The method further includes beginning a timer, the timer set to run for a predetermined time period. The method further includes determining whether a door of the washing machine appliance has been opened after transmitting the additive deposition signal and during the predetermined time period. The method further includes determining whether the door has been closed when the door has been opened during the predetermined time period, and performing a second agitation of the load when the door has been closed. The method further includes performing the second agitation when the door has not been opened during the predetermined time period after the predetermined time period has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Roberto Obregon
  • Patent number: 9702167
    Abstract: An electric lock for doors has a housing with an opening, including a first catch and a second catch, an overlap formed by which enables the operation of the present invention. A blocking element connected to a driving device is displaced between an opening position and a closing position whereby the blocking element would stop the first catch from turning when being in the closing position, therefore controlling the turning of the second catch, rendering the opening a locked status and locking up the latch; when the blocking element is in the opening position, the blocking against the first catch would be eliminated, therefore turning the second catch together and rendering the opening an unlocked status, allowing the latch to be unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Li-Shih Liao
  • Patent number: 9657501
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved electric strike assembly (1) including a keeper (6) which is mounted to a housing (8). A locking means including an electrical actuator (9) and a detent (10) configured to resist adjustment of the detent (10) from an active lock condition. The detent (10) is preferably grooved so as to catch on the keeper (6) or housing (8) preventing it moving from an active condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: AASA ABLOY AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventors: Ernest Armari, Mark Aylesbury
  • Patent number: 9580935
    Abstract: An electric strike assembly includes a housing including a mounting device and defining an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a selectively locatable component including a locking device to cooperate with the mounting device to secure the component at a predetermined incremental position along the length of the removable cavity. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention, an electric strike assembly includes a housing defining an internal longitudinal cavity, a keeper pivotally arranged in the housing, and a keeper shim assembly, including a shim, slidably engaged with the keeper to position the shim at a predetermined position along a length of the cavity. A method of securely capturing a latch bolt mounted in a door includes mounting an electric strike assembly in an associated door jamb and positioning a shim at a predetermined position in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: RUTHERFORD CONTROLS INT'L INC.
    Inventor: Mandeep Singh
  • Patent number: 9579245
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Helmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9428944
    Abstract: A liftgate/decklid assembly for a motor vehicle includes a liftgate panel hingedly connected to the vehicle to define a liftgate swing arc. A decklid panel is hingedly connected to the liftgate panel to define a decklid swing arc. The decklid and liftgate panels are not aligned, causing the decklid swing arc to be different from the liftgate swing arc. The assembly further includes a liftgate/decklid assembly closure mechanism including an articulating member configured for translating a portion of the closure mechanism between an orientation normal to the liftgate swing arc and an orientation normal to the decklid swing arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Elia, Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Henry W. Hausler, John Patrick Doyle
  • Patent number: 9157255
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking device suitable for allowing or restricting access into an area or space. According to one aspect the locking device comprises locking device comprises at least one locking element, such as a bolt or cam, and a catch arranged to immobilize the locking element. According to another aspect the locking device comprises at least one locking element, such as a bolt or cam, and a blocking member arranged to block the locking element from moving, and a catch arranged to immobilize the blocking member. The locking device further comprises a control member arranged to both move the locking element or the blocking member and to control the state of the catch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Stendals El AB
    Inventor: Jan Stendal
  • Patent number: 9068379
    Abstract: A vehicle door closer device comprises a latch that is capable of engaging with a striker of a vehicle body; a ratchet that is capable of engaging with the latch; and a release-canceling mechanism that comprises a first release-output lever, a second release-output lever and a canceling lever. A locking knob is operated, and the canceling lever disconnects a motion transmitting path between the first release-output lever and the second release-output lever thereby enabling the ratchet to engage with the latch, so that a vehicle door can be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Yokomori, Kohei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8998278
    Abstract: A vehicle closure assembly includes a closure movable relative to a vehicle opening between closed and open positions. A latch is coupled to one of a threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure, and a striker is coupled to the other of the threshold of the vehicle opening and the closure. The striker and latch are engageable to secure the closure in the closed position. A striker cover is movable relative to the striker between a concealing position in which the striker is substantially concealed from the latch, and an exposing position in which the striker is substantially exposed to the latch. An actuator is coupled to the striker cover and is operable to move the striker cover to the concealing position or the exposing position from the other position in response to movement of the closure relative to the vehicle opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Strattec Power Access LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Wilde, Jeffrey S. Hamminga, Eric Hansen
  • Patent number: 8991877
    Abstract: Door lock for a door of a household appliance with a first device for detecting a closed state of the door, and a second device for locking the door, wherein the first and second devices are electrically connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Georg Spiessl
  • Patent number: 8944478
    Abstract: A locking apparatus with tumbler for safety doors has a door part for fastening on a movable safety door and has a frame part for fastening on a door counterpart. The frame part has a receptacle and the door part has an actuator configured to be inserted into the receptacle. The frame part further has a blocking member which is displaceable between a release position, in which the actuator can be released in, and a blocking position in which the actuator is secured in the receptacle. The actuator is arranged on the door part via an elastic compensating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pilz Auslandsbeteiligungen GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Pullmann, Roland Rupp, Andreas Veit
  • Publication number: 20140367978
    Abstract: An electric strike according to the present invention comprises a housing, and an actuator mounted to the housing to switch operation of said strike between open and locked modes. In changing the modes the actuator provides lateral motion and a blocking element is included that is also mounted to the housing and cooperates with the actuator. The actuator's lateral motion causes rotational movement in the blocking element to switch between said open and locked modes. Different embodiments of the present invention can operate as dual mode electric strikes wherein the actuator is movable between fail-safe and fail-secure positions, and can include switches and paddles to monitor the position or condition of certain mechanisms in or working with the strikes. In some embodiments the blocking element can be rotatably mounted to the housing at a plurality of rotation mounting points and can comprise a plurality of blocking surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: ARTHUR V. GERINGER, David A. Geringer
  • Patent number: 8899637
    Abstract: A tailgate latching mechanism for a round bale that utilizes action of the tailgate lift cylinders to release the latch to allow the tailgate to be opened and an independent spring action to cause the mechanism to catch and latch the tailgate into position upon closure of the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Simmons, John H. Merritt, Robert D. Crandall
  • Patent number: 8833814
    Abstract: A lock device includes a tongue engaged in a housing, an anchoring device slidably disposed in the housing and movable with a moving device, the includes two sides each having a latch socket and an anchoring member, when one side of the anchoring device is directed toward the tongue, the lock device is locked when the moving device is turned off, and the lock device is locked when the moving device is turned on and when the other side of the anchoring device is directed toward the tongue, such that the electric lock device is adjustable and operatable when the electromagnetic mechanism of the moving device is either switched on or switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Gianni Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Chih Chung Chang
  • Patent number: 8814233
    Abstract: A safety switch for generating a system enable signal depending on the position of a movable guard door which is used for safeguarding a hazardous area of a machine installation. At least one part of the machine installation can only be operated when the system enable signal is present. The safety switch has a door part to be fastened to the movable guard door and a frame part to be fastened to a mating door piece. The safety switch also has a bolt which can be moved between a first position and a second position, a recess in which the bolt can engage in the second position, and a locking element designed to block the bolt in the second position. In addition, the safety switch comprises a first position sensor designed to clearly detect at least one of the positions of the bolt in order to generate the system enable signal. Moreover, the safety switch comprises a door release request unit configured to generate a door release request signal in addition to the system enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Leska, Tilo Schmidt, Udo Kramer
  • Patent number: 8807606
    Abstract: An electrically powered lock, e.g. an electric strike, includes a housing and a latch mounted with respect to the housing so as to be pivotable about a latch axis between an open position and a locking position. The latch has a latch face and a segment that projects laterally of both the latch axis and the latch face. A locking element is mounted for rotation about a lock axis normal to but offset from the latch axis for selectively blocking the laterally projecting segment to hold the latch in the locking position or allowing the latch to move to the open position to thereby place the lock respectively in a locked condition or an unlocked condition. An electrically powered driver is disposed within the housing laterally of the latch axis actuable in a direction generally parallel to the latch axis for effecting rotation of the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: K.J. Ross Security Locks Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Keith James Ross, Geoffrey Howard Ross, Beverley Ann Ross
  • Patent number: 8803689
    Abstract: Apparatus for counteracting a suicide attempt of a person trying to hang himself from a cord extended over the top edge of a door which door has an inside upper surface facing the interior of the room, the apparatus including an elongated pressure sensor mountable on that inside upper surface of the door, the sensor having an exposed surface facing away from the inside surface of the door, that exposed surface being responsive to a force applied thereagainst by a segment of a cord when it is draped over the top of the door and hanging downward adjacent the inside surface, and the apparatus being adapted to forward an alarm signal indicating the sensing of the force by the cord, and an electrical controller to forward an alarm signal indicating that the sensor has sensed the downward force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Securitech Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Berger