Motor Controlled Patents (Class 292/341.16)
-
Patent number: 6867685Abstract: An electro-mechanical lock release assembly for an enclosure such as a vending machine and including an electronic lock controller for disengaging a lock assembly securing the door of the enclosure against the enclosure frame in a closed, locked position. The lock controller is actuated remotely through a key controller to disengage the lock assembly and enable the door of the enclosure to be moved to an open position for accessing the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Star Lock Systems, Inc.Inventor: Woodrow C. Stillwagon
-
Patent number: 6857671Abstract: The invention provides for an electromagnetic lock (10) for a door. The lock (10) includes a backing plate (12) which is connectable to a door frame, an electromagnet (14), a housing (30) for the electromagnet, and an armature plate (16) connectable to a door (32) which is displaceable relative to the housing (30) between a closed condition in which it engages the housing and an open condition in which it is spaced from the housing. The lock (10) also includes two locking arms (18) which are movable between an operative position in which they engage the armature plate (16) and the backing plate (12) to capture the armature plate in the closed condition and an inoperative position in which they allow the armature plate to disengage the housing (30).Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Inventor: Derek Fly
-
Patent number: 6848729Abstract: A universal electromechanical strike locking system for doors comprising linear horizontal moving strikes in the doorjamb for locking and releasing both dead bolts and latch bolts. The system operates in doors having one or more dead bolts and/or one or more latch bolts. The system allows locking and releasing doors by either operating the conventional locking system of the door or the universal electromechanical strike locking system. The system comprises a controller with user access means that coordinates one or a plurality of electromechanical strikes in a fault tolerant method employing closed loop control.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventors: Shlomo Caspi, Robert Hotto
-
Patent number: 6840553Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for blocking and releasing a door lock of an electrical appliance, such as e.g. a washing machine, a dishwasher or a tumble drier. In said apparatus, use is made of a blocking and release unit, which in a blocking state blocks the locked door lock in order to prevent unlocking of the door lock. In a release state the blocking and release unit enables unlocking of the door lock in that it releases the still locked door lock. Furthermore, an emergency release unit, which is constructed separately from the blocking and release unit, is used to bring the blocking and release unit automatically into the release state in an abnormal operating state of the electrical appliance, such as e.g. in the event of a power failure.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Elektromanufaktur Zangenstein Hanauer GmbH & Co KGAAInventors: Albert Dirnberger, Georg Spiessl
-
Publication number: 20040227363Abstract: A striker assembly reduces a force of a latch required to latch and unlatch a side door over a door opening of a motor vehicle. The door opening includes a striker opening which is disposed adjacent the door opening. The striker assembly includes a frame fixedly secured to the motor vehicle over the striker opening. The base includes a base opening. A striker assembly also includes a striker slidably secured to the frame allowing the striker to move outboard during the unlatching of the side door and inboard during the latching of the side door.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
-
Publication number: 20040201229Abstract: A vehicle power window and power door lock system includes a vehicle pillar adapted for use between openable and closable vehicle doors and a single lock actuation assembly in the pillar adapted for engagement with a front door lock latch assembly on a front door and a rear door lock latch assembly on a rear door for locking and unlocking the doors. The vehicle power window and power door lock system further includes a single reversible electric motor in the pillar adapted for selective engagement with a front window on an adjacent front door and a rear window on an adjacent rear door for driving the windows up and down. A vehicle side door assembly includes a door lock latch assembly, a latch rod operatively connected to the latch assembly, a window, and a driven gear operatively connected to the window. The latch rod is operably connectable to a lock actuation assembly located in a body pillar adjacent to the door when the door is positioned against the body pillar.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Mohsen D. Shabana, Robert Louis Vitale, Philip Walter Leistra, Nancy Leistra
-
Patent number: 6773043Abstract: When a trunk lid 10 is opened, even in the case that the trunk lid 10 is attached to a weather strip due to a frost of a vehicle body and the trunk lid 10 is not sufficiently opened, a lock canceling member 60 is restricted at an restriction canceling position during a period that a striker 45 is returned to a waiting position from a bring-in position. Furthermore, a latch 31 is not again engaged with the striker 45, and a drive mechanism 50 does not bring in the trunk lid 10 again.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigenori Taga
-
Patent number: 6758504Abstract: A pivotally mounted armature assembly is mechanically moved into engagement with an electromagnet assembly bringing the components of a secondary locking system between the assemblies into position to become active if a predetermined force is applied to slide the armature assembly across an energized electromagnet assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Inventor: Michael C. Mandall
-
Patent number: 6733052Abstract: A vehicle door latch has a forkbolt, a detent that holds the forkbolt in a latched position, a release mechanism that moves the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock mechanism for disabling the release mechanism. The detent is moved by an intermittent lever that is part of the release mechanism and part of the locking mechanism. A lock lever forming part of the lock mechanism moves the intermittent lever back and forth between an unlock position where the intermittent lever drives the detent to release the forkbolt and a lock position where the intermittent lever free wheels with respect to the detent. The intermittent lever is pivotally connected to an unlatching lever of the release mechanism that is operated by inside and outside release levers. The lock lever includes a lower lock lever, an upper lock lever and a spring that stores energy when the lower lock lever pivots with respect to the upper lock lever.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald Michael Perkins, Frank Joseph Arabia, Jr., Jeffery P Laukonis
-
Patent number: 6715808Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (22). A striker (18) is mounted on a striker plate (20) that is mounted on the housing for sliding movement between an inboard and an outboard position. A driver plate (44) is mounted to the housing for sliding movement in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the striker plate (20). An actuator (16) effects movement of the driver plate (44) to thereby effect movement of the striker plate (20) between the inboard and outboard positions. The striker plate (20) has a pin (36) and the driver plate has an S-shaped slot (42). The pin slidably engages the S-shaped slot. The S-shaped slot has end regions extending generally parallel to each other and in the orthogonal direction and is interconnected by a diagonally extending section. When the pin (36) is in the end regions of the S-shaped slot, forces imparted on the striker plate (20) are transmitted to the housing (22) and thereby preventing backlash of the actuator (16).Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Peter Lance Oxley, Gordon Andrew Paton
-
Publication number: 20040061343Abstract: The electrically-operated door strike provides rapid and easy selection between fail-safe and fail-secure modes. A keeper is pivotably arranged in a housing. To prevent the keeper from pivoting, the keeper has at least one abutment, which a blocking surface or surfaces of a blocking element either contacts (door locked) or does not contact (door unlocked) when the keeper tries to pivot. The blocking element is movable by a solenoid, between a first (unenergized) position and a second (energized) position. The blocking element and solenoid are mounted in a holder, which in turn is slidably mounted in a housing, for movement between one of two holder positions, namely a fail-secure position and a fail-safe position. In the fail-secure position, the blocking surfaces are opposite the keeper's abutments in the unenergized position, and in the fail-safe position the blocking surfaces are opposite the keeper's abutments only when the actuator is energized.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2002Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventor: Anthony J. Bashford
-
Patent number: 6685242Abstract: A door lock mounted within a door frame comprises a rotatable spindle having shell portions that rotatably extend beyond the door frame between open and locked position. The shell portions define a channel having sides spaced apart to receive and restrain a door edge when in the locked position. In the locked position, a cam follower locking arrangement prevents the spindle from returning to the open positoin. Push button, solenoid and push key activation of a lock releasing lever releases the door lock so as to return the door lock to the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Interlox International Pty (USA) LtdInventor: Ronald T. Furner
-
Patent number: 6685241Abstract: The invention concerns a closing device for a washing machine or clothes dryer with a machine door that locks a loading opening exhibiting a closing piston mounted onto the machine door hinged to the machine housing and a lock in the area of the loading opening, whereby the lock is provided with a latching element that brings the closing piston into a latching closed position when the machine door closes and releases it to an open position when the machine door is opened. An automatic adjustment of the closing piston to the latching element when the machine door closes is achieved in that the closing piston can be adjusted horizontally to a limited extent in the door rim, and that the closing piston with its nose is alignable with the latching element in a receiving element in the door frame around the loading opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Andreas Bollmann
-
Publication number: 20040012212Abstract: A latch mechanism in combination with a sensor assembly for use in latching a first structure to a second structure such as a panel to an aircraft. Also disclosed is a sensor assembly for use with a latch mechanism and a method of using a sensor assembly in combination with a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism and sensor assembly include a hook mechanism carried on a first structure and a keeper mechanism retained on a second structure. The sensor assembly is connected to the hook mechanism or the keeper mechanism or with both for detecting characteristics thereof. An output device of the sensor assembly is provided for at least indicating the condition of the sensor device. A power interface for providing power to the sensor assembly or recharging a power source of the sensor assembly or both. A display coupled to the controller for displaying information about the sensor assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: John D. Pratt, Timothy S. Rozema
-
Patent number: 6666487Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (16) adapted for mounting on a vehicle. A striker assembly (12) is mounted to the housing and constrained to slide between an inboard and outboard position. An outer link (42) is pivotally attached to the striker assembly (12). An inner link (48) is pivotally attached to the housing (16) and pivotally attached to the outer link (42). A cinching mechanism (14) linkably connects the inner (48) and outer links (42). Driving movement of the cinching mechanism (14) effects the inboard and outboard movement of the striker assembly (12). The driving movement is generally perpendicular to the inboard outboard movement of the striker assembly (12) thereby isolating the cinching mechanism (14) from loads imparted to the striker assembly (12).Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Atoma International Corp.Inventors: Peter Lance Oxley, Gordon Andrew Paton
-
Publication number: 20030227181Abstract: An electromechanical keeper is disclosed that includes a base plate adapted for being mounted to a flat surface, a catch member pivotally supported by the base plate, and a solenoid having a solenoid shaft. The catch member is adapted to engage the pawl of a latch when the catch member is the closed position and the catch member is not engageable by the latch pawl when the catch member is in the open position. The solenoid shaft engages a cavity or bore in the catch member to retain the catch member in the closed position. The solenoid shaft disengages from the cavity or bore in the catch member to allow the catch member to rotate to the open position when the solenoid is energized.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: Hitesh Cherry, Clive Anthony Morgan
-
Patent number: 6651387Abstract: A locking controller mounted inside a sliding door. The locking controller is operated in connection with an inner handle resiliently returned to a neutral position when being turned in a door opening direction or in a door closing direction. If the inner handle is pulled or pushed in the door opening direction in the state that the sliding door is closed, the inner handle is turned in the door opening direction from the neutral position to release a door-close maintaining mechanism. If the inner handle is pulled or pushed in the door closing direction in the state that the sliding door is open, the inner handle is turned in the door closing direction from the neutral position to release a door-open maintaining mechanism. Therefore, a simple operation that the inner handle is turned in one direction makes the opening or shutting of the sliding door possible.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Jae-hong Choi
-
Patent number: 6634685Abstract: An electronically-operable door strike employing a guard clip for deterring picking of the locking mechanism therein, a springless solenoid designed to avoid the undesirable build-up of residual magnetism and which incorporates air gaps for dissipating heat, thus prolonging the useful life of the solenoid, and a face plate for mounting the strike into a door jamb.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Trine Access Technology, Inc.Inventors: William L. Herron, Wolfgang Jaffe, Gary Ferguson, Carlo Frussinetty
-
Patent number: 6634684Abstract: A door latching mechanism for the door of an electric household appliance, in particular a washing machine, is described. The door latching mechanism comprises an element (34) of which at least a deflection part changes its spatial position (C, D) upon a change in temperature of the element (34) and thereby operates a bar element (32) for locking and unlocking the door. The door latching mechanism further comprises an electromagnetic device (46) comprising an actuating member (48) for unlocking the door. The actuating member (48) cooperates with an extension (40A) of the bar element (32).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Elektromanufaktur Zangenstein Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGAAInventor: Georg Spiessl
-
Publication number: 20030164617Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary-latch lock comprising two additional parts, namely a closing stirrup (10) and at least one rotary latch. The lock is adjusted by means of the assembly of the closing stirrup. Said rotary latch is arranged on a flap element, for example, in a fixed manner, and remains in such a position. The closing stirrup (10) is then placed on a body part, for example, in such a way that the position thereof can be changed by means of, for example, spacer sleeves or spacer bars. The aim of the invention is to create a reliable lock which can be easily adjusted after being assembled. In order to achieve this, the closing stirrup (10) comprises two components, namely a fixing element (11) and a stirrup element (19).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventor: Frank Kuhnke
-
Patent number: 6595563Abstract: An electrically controlled strike including a strike frame; a keeper carried by the strike frame for movement when released allowing door opening and adapted to receive and resist door opening prior to keeper movement, an electrically powered solenoid carried by the frame, and a lock arm assembly operatively connected between the solenoid and the keeper for causing the keeper to assume a fail-safe condition allowing keeper movement when the solenoid is unpowered or alternatively a fail-secure condition preventing keeper movement when the solenoid is unpowered, the two conditions being selected by re-positioning an actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.Inventor: Brent Kiernan
-
Patent number: 6595564Abstract: An electric door strike having a keeper rotatably mounted in a fixed strike case for movement between open and closed positions. The keeper includes dual solenoids with a biasing link between the solenoid plungers to urge the plungers to a non-actuated position. Changing the biasing link in the keeper changes the mode of operation. The application of an actuating signal to a solenoid moving the plungers to an actuated position which can be either the fail-safe or fail-secure mode of operation depending on the biasing link employed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Inventors: Leland J. Hanchett, Michael T. Ozee
-
Patent number: 6595561Abstract: The invention relates to a closure comprising a closing head (20) and a lock (10) which rest on the immobile or mobile part of a door, flap or such like. The closing head (20) has an undercut axial shoulder (26) which during coupling is engaged by a radially mobile blocking member (11) in the lock (10). The lock (10) further comprises a sensing member (12) and a restoring member (13) for the blocking member (11). To make the lock less prone to malfunctions the invention provides for the axially spring-loaded sensing member (12) to be used as a locking means for the radially spring-loaded blocking member (11). When the locking effect is actuated the blocking member (11) is held in a release position in relation to the closing head (20). When the closing head (20) is engaged the sensing member (12) carries out an axial movement which releases the lock so that the radial spring-loading can move the blocking member (11) into its blocked position.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Piotr Szablewski, Joachim Barthel
-
Publication number: 20030127870Abstract: An electronically-operable door strike employing a guard clip for deterring picking of the locking mechanism therein, a springless solenoid designed to avoid the undesirable build-up of residual magnetism and which incorporates air gaps for dissipating heat, thus prolonging the useful life of the solenoid, and a face plate for mounting the strike into a doorjamb.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: William Schildwachter, Carlo Frussinetty, Fred Orbeta
-
Publication number: 20030127869Abstract: An electronically-operable door strike employing a guard clip for deterring picking of the locking mechanism therein, a springless solenoid designed to avoid the undesirable build-up of residual magnetism and which incorporates air gaps for dissipating heat, thus prolonging the useful life of the solenoid, and a face plate for mounting the strike into a door jamb.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: William L. Herron, Wolfgang Jaffe, Gary Ferguson, Carlo Frussinetty
-
Publication number: 20030122387Abstract: An electric door strike for installation in residential wood frame door frames permits “hands-free” home access. An installation jig used to form an aperture in the door frame and a cavity in the underlying stud in which the door strike is mounted. A remote control circuit transmitter actuates the door strike to an unlatched position and a time delay circuit returns the door strike to a latched position after a predetermined delay time period. The transmitter can be used to interrupt the predetermined delay time period and immediately return the door strike to the latched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2003Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Jeffrey H. Ward
-
Patent number: 6581991Abstract: A door latch actuator and methodology actuates a mortise-type dead latch that has a spring latch to reciprocally engage and disengage the door latch actuator, and a dead latch pin to operate movement of the spring latch. The actuator's housing has a cavity to receive the spring latch and dead latch pin when the door is fastened, and a reciprocally movable spring latch plunger and dead latch plunger mounted therein. The spring latch plunger's head portion selectively engages the spring latch at different locations when the door is fastened. A striker assembly has arrangeable strike elements defining a strike surface for the dead latch pin and portals for the spring latch for different spring latch and dead latch pin arrangements. The actuator also includes a drive to reciprocally drive the dead latch plunger and advance the spring latch plunger.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Securitron Magnalock CorporationInventor: Jaime Galindo
-
Patent number: 6581990Abstract: A power-closing bolt assembly for a motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a bolt pivotal in the housing about a pivot axis between a pair of angularly offset end positions, and interengaging bolt and housing abutments respectively on the bolt and on the housing bearing angularly of the pivot axis on each other in each of the end positions. A drive displaces the bolt between the end positions. The housing abutments are spaced apart relative to the pivot axis by more than 180°.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Kiekert AGInventors: Johannes-Theodor Menke, Ulrich Nass
-
Patent number: 6568726Abstract: A universal electromechanical strike locking system for doors comprising linear horizontal moving strikes in the doorjamb for locking and releasing both dead bolts and latch bolts. The system operates in doors having one or more dead bolts and/or one or more latch bolts. The system allows locking and releasing doors by either operating the conventional locking system of the door or the universal electromechanical strike locking system. The system comprises a controller with user access means that coordinates one or a plurality of electromechanical strikes in a fault tolerant method employing closed loop control.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Inventors: Shlomo Caspi, Robert Hotto
-
Publication number: 20030094820Abstract: A latch drive assembly for a motor vehicle door lock having a latch drive assembly that maintains control of the displacement movements of the latch carrier during both locking and unlocking is achieved, in part, by a pre-tensioned blocking arrangement which automatically assumes a blocking position when a latch carrier is moved into the main closed position and holds the latch carrier in the main closed position. With this device, it is irrelevant whether the displacement of the latch carrier into the main closed position takes place by the corresponding displacement of an eccentric bolt of the latch drive or whether displacement takes place manually.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GmbHInventor: Bernardo Erices
-
Patent number: 6561555Abstract: A magnetic lock assembly is disclosed, the assembly including a locking component which has a lock housing and magnetic lock member, the magnetic lock member being housed in the lock housing and a striker component which has a striker plate which is magnetically attracted to the magnetic lock in a locking direction by a magnetic force produced by the magnetic lock member, in use. The assembly is characterized therein that the striker plate and the magnetic lock member are movable relative to each other in the locking direction, the striker plate and the magnetic lock member include complementary latching formations and the striker component and the locking component have cooperating displacing mechanism for displacing the striker plate and the magnetic lock member relative to each other in the locking direction upon movement of the striker plate and the magnetic lock member relative to each other in a transverse direction. The invention extends to a door including a magnetic lock assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Inventor: Pieter Johannes Millard
-
Publication number: 20030075934Abstract: A power striker mechanism (10) has a housing (22). A striker (18) is mounted on a striker plate (20) that is mounted on the housing for sliding movement between an inboard and an outboard position. A driver plate (44) is mounted to the housing for sliding movement in a direction orthogonal to the movement of the striker plate (20). An actuator (16) effects movement of the driver plate (44) to thereby effect movement of the striker plate (20) between the inboard and outboard positions. The striker plate (20) has a pin (36) and the driver plate has an S-shaped slot (42). The pin slidably engages the S-shaped slot. The S-shaped slot has end regions extending generally parallel to each other and in the orthogonal direction and is interconnected by a diagonally extending section. When the pin (36) is in the end regions of the S-shaped slot, forces imparted on the striker plate (20) are transmitted to the housing (22) and thereby preventing backlash of the actuator (16).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Peter Lance Oxley, Gordon Andrew Paton
-
Patent number: 6522095Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock including a diode for operating an electric motor drive in one direction of drive rotation. To minimize the electric motor turning back against the direction of drive rotation in the off state, the diode is connected in parallel to the electric motor drive which provides essentially for short circuiting of the electric motor drive when it turns back. In this way, rebound of the electric motor drive is prevented or reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Brose Schliesssysteme GmbHInventor: Checrallah Kachouh
-
Publication number: 20020163210Abstract: A door latch actuator and methodology actuates a mortise-type dead latch that has a spring latch to reciprocally engage and disengage the door latch actuator, and a dead latch pin to operate movement of the spring latch. The actuator's housing has a cavity to receive the spring latch and dead latch pin when the door is fastened, and a reciprocally movable spring latch plunger and dead latch plunger mounted therein. The spring latch plunger's head portion selectively engages the spring latch at different locations when the door is fastened. A striker assembly has arrangeable strike elements defining a strike surface for the dead latch pin and portals for the spring latch for different spring latch and dead latch pin arrangements. The actuator also includes a drive to reciprocally drive the dead latch plunger and advance the spring latch plunger.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventor: Jaime Galindo
-
Publication number: 20020145292Abstract: A door lock mounted within a door frame comprises a rotatable spindle having shell portions that rotatably extend beyond the door frame between open and locked position. The shell portions define a channel having sides spaced apart to receive and restrain a door edge when in the locked position. In the locked position, a cam follower locking arrangement prevents the spindle from returning to the open positoin. Push button, solenoid and push key activation of a lock releasing lever releases the door lock so as to return the door lock to the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2002Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventor: Ronald T. Furner
-
Patent number: 6454324Abstract: An electronic door control and light for permitting push-button and/or remote opening of a door and lighting of an area proximate the doorway. The electronic door control and light includes a control panel assembly designed for coupling to a building, a door latch assembly having a door jarring assembly and a latch mechanism, and at least one light operationally coupled to the control panel assembly. In an embodiment, a remote unit has a transmitter and the control panel assembly has a receiver for selectively activating the door latch assembly and light. In an embodiment, the control panel assembly has individual switches for facilitating selective activation of the door latch assembly and the light.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Inventors: John H. Lewis, John S. Lewis
-
Patent number: 6437532Abstract: The present invention is directed to a motor vehicle door lock such as a side door lock, a rear door lock, a rear hatch lock, or a hood lock and a process for controlling such a motor vehicle door lock, wherein the lock includes an electric motor drive for reaching a set position depending upon at least one start-up characteristic acquired when the electric motor drive is actuated and is at least one of shut off and short circuited prior to a set position in time and space.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Matthias Koerwer
-
Patent number: 6390520Abstract: An electric door opening mechanism is disclosed which is operable in either a fail safe and a fail secure mode. The electric door opening mechanism comprises a housing having a cutout portion with an opening adapted to receive a bolt of a door. At least one keeper arm is pivotally mounted to the housing. The keeper arm has a locked position occluding the opening and an open position which allows the bolt to be inserted and withdrawn from the opening. A transmission lever pivotally mounted to the housing releasably engages each keeper arm. When the keeper arm and the transmission lever are engaged, the transmission lever holds the keeper arm in the locked position. A release lever pivotally mounted to the housing is adapted to engage the transmission lever. The release lever has three positions, a first unlocked position, a second locked position and a third unlocked position. When the release lever is in the locked position, it holds the transmission lever in engagement with the keeper arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael Holzer
-
Patent number: 6347485Abstract: An assist for use with a motorized door operating device to assist in the opening of a door during its movement from the closed position to an ajar position, and to assist in the closing of the door during its movement from the ajar position to the closed position. The device includes a connector mounted on one of the door and the wall and a motorized catch on the other of the door and wall for engaging and releasing the connector. During a door closing cycle, the assist remains inactive until the catch engages the connector, after which the motorized catch is moved in a first direction to move the door from the ajar position to the closed position. Upon the commencement of a door opening cycle, and upon completion of any unlatching cycle whereby any door latch retaining the door is released, the catch is moved in a second direction for moving the door from the closed position to the ajar position.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Inventor: Thomas J. Hebda
-
Publication number: 20020017793Abstract: A door latching mechanism for the door of an electric household appliance, in particular a washing machine, is described. The door latching mechanism comprises an element (34) of which at least a deflection part changes its spatial position (C, D) upon a change in temperature of the element (34) and thereby operates a bar element (32) for locking and unlocking the door. The door latching mechanism further comprises an electromagnetic device (46) comprising an actuating member (48) for unlocking the door. The actuating member (48) cooperates with an extension (40A) of the bar element (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Inventor: Georg Spiessl
-
Patent number: 6345848Abstract: The locking movement and/or the unlocking movement of a bimetallic drive of an electrothermally-controlled locking apparatus, for example for household-device doors, is or are driven by a separate bimetal member (10, 11) over only a first segment of its movement path. In the process, energy is supplied to the energy store (28) of a tipping over-center device until a dead-center position is attained, the energy being released as a moving drive for the remaining segment of the movement path when the dead-center position is exceeded, thereby cutting off the bimetal drive and stabilizing the locking member (2) in its end position.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbHInventors: Helmut Baader, Hubert Harrer, Günther Hengelein
-
Patent number: 6345522Abstract: An electro-mechanical latching apparatus for an enclosure such as a vending machine and including an electronic lock controller for disengaging a latch assembly securing the door of the enclosure against the enclosure frame in a closed, locked position. Upon actuation, the lock controller disengages the latch assembly and enable the door of the enclosure to be moved to an open position for accessing the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Star Lock Systems, Inc.Inventors: Woodrow C. Stillwagon, Jean L. Meeks, J. Travis Sparks
-
Publication number: 20020003351Abstract: When a trunk lid 10 is opened, even in the case that the trunk lid 10 is attached to a weather strip due to a frost of a vehicle body and the trunk lid 10 is not sufficiently opened, a lock canceling member 60 is restricted at an restriction canceling position during a period that a striker 45 is returned to a waiting position from a bring-in position. Furthermore, a latch 31 is not again engaged with the striker 45, and a drive mechanism 50 does not bring in the trunk lid 10 again.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventor: Shigenori Taga
-
Patent number: 6334637Abstract: The device comprises a support housing with an opening for the introduction of a hook connected to the door, a retaining member moving with respect to the housing between a rest position in which it enables the hook to be introduced into the opening and an operating position in which it is adapted to retain the hook introduced into this opening, a locking device including a locking member moving between a disengaged and an engaged position in which it is adapted to allow and respectively to prevent the retaining member from moving from the operating position to the rest position and a control device that can be electrically actuated and is adapted to control the position of the locking member.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Bitron S.p.A.Inventor: Mario Chioffi
-
Patent number: 6334636Abstract: A remotely controllable lock includes a turn knob rotatably mounted to a main housing. The turn knob includes an axle rod with a non-circular hole through which a spindle of the lock extends. A power element is mounted in the main housing for driving a relatively larger gear of a power device. The relatively larger gear and a relatively smaller gear are integrally formed on a common shaft that has two ends to which two slide blocks are pivotally mounted, respectively. The slide blocks are mounted in a receiving hole in the main housing and a receiving hole in a fixing plate. The slide blocks are biased by elastic elements. One of the slide blocks includes a stub that extends beyond the associated receiving hole to come in contact with a sensor. The sensor sends out a signal to stop the power element. The relatively smaller gear meshes with a control gear of a control device. The control gear is rotatably mounted around the axle rod of the turn knob.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Chih-Cheng Huang, Jo-Chiao Wang
-
Patent number: 6325429Abstract: A solenoid actuated door lock has a latch keeper which normally is in a locking position to prevent opening of a door. The latch keeper is maintained locked by a locking means which prevents movement of the latch keeper to an unlocked position. The locking means is moved by operation of a solenoid to a position where the keeper can release the door.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Inventor: Randall C. Oxley
-
Patent number: 6318771Abstract: A fuel filler door actuator is provided having a locking arm and an alternate action mechanism. The locking arm is selectively driveable by an electric motor to engage or disengage with the fuel filler door of an automobile. The alternate action mechanism, including a spring-biased plunger having a cam track with a cam follower riding in the track, is engageable by and mounted adjacent to the fuel filler door and is capable of linear movement with respect to the door by alternating between an inward recessed position and an outwardly extended position each time an inward force is applied to the door. In the event of a loss of electrical power to the actuator, a manual override mechanism is provided which allows unpowered opening of the fuel door.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.Inventors: John C. Holloway, John D. Murray, Joseph R. Colleran
-
Patent number: 6312045Abstract: A vehicle body side structure is provided to prevent deformation of a structural member due to deformation of a door during a side collision. The vehicle body structure reduces the possibility that the structural member contacts an occupant and obtains an excellent impact absorption effect when the door contacts the occupant. The vehicle body structure has a body side portion with the structural member, and a door coupled to the body side portion to open and close relative to the structural member. An energy absorption member is coupled to the door. A door engagement mechanism is coupled between the door and the side structural member. The door engagement mechanism is arranged to hold the door and the structural member together. A collision sensor generates a collision signal when a side collision is detected by the collision sensor. A door release mechanism is connected to the door engagement mechanism to release the door from the structural member in response to the collision signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2001Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yuichi Kitagawa
-
Patent number: 6299225Abstract: An electrical lock device includes a lever pivotally secured in a housing, and a solenoid device received in the chamber of the housing. The solenoid device may be adjustably secured to the housing at a position where the solenoid device is disengaged from the lever when the solenoid device is energized and at the other position where the solenoid device is engaged with the lever when the solenoid device is energized. The electric lock device may thus be adjusted to fit the functions and the operations of both kinds of the electric lock devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Inventor: Chih Chung Chang
-
Patent number: 6290281Abstract: A power latch system is employed for securing a convertible roof to an automotive vehicle body. In another aspect of the present invention, a striker is movably mounted to either a forward or rearward portion of a convertible roof which is operably engaged by an automatically powered latch mounted to the vehicle body. Still another aspect of the present invention employs a rotatable latch having a striker engaging slot internally projecting from a periphery.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: ASC IncorporatedInventors: Sheryar Durrani, Dennis E. Martin, Richard L. Matsu