Adjustable Patents (Class 292/341.18)
  • Patent number: 11959307
    Abstract: A magnetically-triggered lock mechanism for interengaging two relatively movable components. The lock mechanism includes a bolt mounted within a first component composed of a first material and displaceable between retracted and extended positions to interengage with a second component when the first and second components are in a predetermined position relative to each other and the bolt is extended, and a magnetically-releasable latch mechanism positioned to latch the bolt in a retracted position, the latch mechanism including a first magnet and mounted for movement between a biased latch engaging position and a latch releasing position. A support collar composed of a second material having higher strength than that of the first material is disposed around the bolt between an inner casing and outer casing of the first component and is spaced from the bolt to allow for sliding movement of the bolt through the support collar as the bolt moves between the extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: INTERLOCK USA, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J. Minter, Douglas Stadler, Marc Wesley Fullenwider, Anthony J. Frabbiele
  • Patent number: 11905741
    Abstract: A releasable locking mechanism for a refrigerated unit. A latch plate is movable between a position that can be engaged by a deadbolt and a position clear of the deadbolt. The latch plate is moved by a door release accessible from an interior of the refrigerated unit. When the door release is activated, a pin blocks movement of the latch plate so that the refrigerated unit remains unlocked until the pin is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Elaine Marie Arens, Bart Andrew Nuss, Ryan Persaud, Ronald Fernandez
  • Patent number: 11780303
    Abstract: A striker mounting structure is configured to mount a striker on a vehicle body. A hook fixed to a door is hooked to the striker. A reinforcement formed with an insertion hole may be attached to the vehicle body. An outer panel covering a reinforcement may include a striker mounting surface spaced from the reinforcement. A reinforcement member may be fixed to the striker and the striker mounting surface. Two or more connecting rods may extend from the reinforcement member. Each of the connecting rods may include locking portions, which are inserted in the insertion hole formed in the reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shu Nakamura, Hironori Tajima, Kazuhiko Sato, Mikio Nakashima, Hiroki Kawamura, Tsuyoshi Kato, Satoshi Maekawa, Hirokazu Shirouzu, Kanichi Saito
  • Patent number: 11725418
    Abstract: A device and method for a strike plate for a door frame member and/or door assembly is shown and described. The invention may be considered a strike plate assembly and, in other embodiments, a lock strike plate with an adjustable aperture. The strike plate may fit within a mortise pocket on a door member of a door frame. The invention may include an adjustable base plate and a top plate. In some examples, the strike plate may include a first horizontally extended linear opening and a second horizontally extended linear opening. The strike plate assembly may be selectively positionable within the mortise pocket to facilitate lateral adjustability of an interior space within an interior aperture by movement of at least a portion of the strike plate laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Endura Products, LLC
    Inventor: George E. Heid
  • Patent number: 11725421
    Abstract: An attack, ballistic and blast resistant door that includes integral concealed mortised four bolt-strike locking assemblies where the bolts are retracted with one hand operation for opening the door and are automatically extended for locking the door with closure of the door. The door has a door frame with four adjustable concealed striker receivers within the door frame. The door has four interconnected concealed mortised bolt lock assemblies, each with a biased bolt, wherein one of the bolt lock assemblies has an engageable brake to hold all four interconnected biased bolts in retraction when the door is opened after a handle interconnected with the four biased blots is moved to a door open position. A roller assembly is provided in the one bolt lock assembly biased to extend and move out from the door when the door is opened and releases the brake and allows the biased bolts to extend and move into the strike receivers when the extended roller assembly is moved inwardly toward the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Barry White
  • Patent number: 11697951
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes a lock cylinder of a selected one of a first standard or a different second standard. A tail piece extends from the lock cylinder. The handle assembly also includes a vertical tubular member, a horizontal tubular member and a transition plate. The transition plate is disposed within the vertical tubular member and is moveable between a first position and a different second position. The transition plate accommodates installation of the lock cylinder of the first standard when in the first position and installation of the lock cylinder of the second standard when in the second position. A mechanical linkage is coupled to the tail piece and effects movement of a locking bolt in response to turning of a key in the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: T-Concepts Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Witherby
  • Patent number: 11525280
    Abstract: A device and method for a strike plate for a door frame member and/or door assembly is shown and described. The invention may be considered a strike plate assembly and, in other embodiments, a lock strike plate with an adjustable aperture. The strike plate may fit within a mortise pocket on a door member of a door frame. The invention may include an adjustable base plate and a top plate. In some examples, the strike plate may include a first horizontally extended linear opening and a second horizontally extended linear opening. The strike plate assembly may be selectively positionable within the mortise pocket to facilitate lateral adjustability of an interior space within an interior aperture by movement of at least a portion of the strike plate laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Endura Products, LLC
    Inventor: George E. Heid
  • Patent number: 11512505
    Abstract: A motorized moveable strike assembly is provided for a vehicle door. The assembly includes a strike on the door post which is moveable by an electric motor between extended and retracted positions. A latch on the door releasably engages the strike. A switch in the latch sends a signal to the controller to actuate the motor after the latch is engaged so as to retract the strike from the extended position to fully close the door. When the latch is disengaged from the strike, the latch switch sends a signal to controller to actuate the motor so as to extend the strike from the retracted position to the extended position as to prepare for the next door closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TriMark Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias J. Schwickerath, Matthew L. Hidding, Michael P. Gruber
  • Patent number: 10767388
    Abstract: A handle assembly includes a lock cylinder of a selected one of a first standard or a different second standard. A tail piece extends from the lock cylinder. The handle assembly also includes a vertical tubular member, a horizontal tubular member and a transition plate. The transition plate is disposed within the vertical tubular member and is moveable between a first position and a different second position. The transition plate accommodates installation of the lock cylinder of the first standard when in the first position and installation of the lock cylinder of the second standard when in the second position. A mechanical linkage is coupled to the tail piece and effects movement of a locking bolt in response to turning of a key in the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: T-Concepts Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Witherby
  • Patent number: 10563427
    Abstract: An integrated adjustable keeper shim for an electric strike is provided. The keeper shim may be included in a keeper assembly of the electric strike, wherein the electric strike includes a housing defining an entry chamber that operates in conjunction with a latch of a lockset. The engaged position of the latch secures a door within the entry chamber when the door is in a closed state. The keeper assembly comprises a keeper rotatably mounted to the housing, and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The keeper retains the latch in the entry chamber when the keeper is in the locked position and the latch is in the engaged position. The keeper shim is adjustably mounted to the keeper, wherein a position of the keeper shim relative to the keeper is selected to minimize a gap defined between the keeper shim and the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Sims, Michael Allen Webb
  • Patent number: 10286765
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system includes a cover assembly coupled to first and second side rails. The cover assembly includes a cover disposed over and coupled to a frame, a latch mechanism coupled to the frame and having a catch biased toward a latch position to secure the cover to the first side rail and retractable to an unlatch position to release the cover from the first side rail, a release device coupled to the frame and latch mechanism and actuatable to move the catch to the unlatch position, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the latch mechanism. The adjustment mechanism has a first portion coupled to the catch and a second portion interacting with the first portion to adjust a vertical position of the catch relative to the frame transverse to a width-wise axis defined between the side rails, with the first and/or second portions forming a sloped profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rugged Liner, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Williamson, David Kosinski, Michael Yang, Xichang Yan, Jianfeng Tong, Chengping Wei, Ronald Brian Smith, Daniel David Burger, James Mays, Taylor M. Hixson
  • Patent number: 10253525
    Abstract: A lock plate for use as a guard for a latch bolt of a spring lock. The lock plate has a flat face portion with a curved first end and an L-shaped second end including a curved outwardly and forwardly extending arm. A recess is formed in the flat face portion from which a tongue extends. The lock plate is configured to nest on a striker plate of a spring lock for attachment with same screws by which the striker plate is attached to a door jamb. The outwardly and forwardly extending arm and the tongue blocking access to the latch bolt by a foreign object such as a credit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Timothy W. Hunt
  • Patent number: 9995062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catcher release device for a refrigerator and freezer, and more particularly, to a catcher release device for a refrigerator and freezer that has releasing means disposed on the inside of a side panel on which a catcher is located in such a manner as to be connected to the catcher, so that if a person is locked in the refrigerator and freezer, an inner handle of the releasing means just rotates, irrespective of a door lock device, thus allowing the catcher to be separated from the door lock device to rapidly open a door for the refrigerator and freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: KONG JIN CO., LTD
    Inventor: Kyu Jung Yun
  • Patent number: 9765549
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for use with a door is provided with a base plate, a door handle having a working end pivotally connected to the base plate and a free end opposite of the working end configured for manipulation by an operator. An adapter plate mounted on the working end of the door handle and a cam lever are also included in the present door handle assembly. A securable end of the cam lever is affixable to the adapter plate, and a free end of the cam lever is configured for engagement with a cam, for activating a door latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ARCHITECTURAL BUILDERS HARDWARE MFG., INC.
    Inventors: Kirti Shah, Darryl Devine
  • Patent number: 9493964
    Abstract: A striker plate has an exterior edge, an interior edge, and a latch-receiving hole. The latch-receiving width is defined by inner and outer sides of the latch-receiving hole. A supplemental hole formed in the striker plate constitutes an inwardly extending extension of the latch-receiving hole. An adjustment block is coupled to the striker plate adjacent to the supplemental hole. The threaded end of a threaded adjustment bolt is received in a threaded aperture of the adjustment block. The threaded adjustment bolt has a head in the supplemental hole accessible to a user for rotation and axial movement to and from the latch-receiving hole to effectively vary the width of the latch-receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventor: Edward P. Torrens
  • Patent number: 9409755
    Abstract: A safety enclosure for a platform comprises a support frame having a laterally extending inner portion, a laterally extending outer portion and a pair of transversely extending side portions defined at laterally opposing ends of the support frame. A handrail system extends laterally along the outer portion and transversely along the pair of side portions of the support frame. A floor portion extends laterally and transversely across the support frame and comprises at least one access panel. The access panel comprises a fixed end portion that is pivotally coupled to the support frame, and an opposing free end portion. A damper is coupled to the support frame and to the access panel so as to control a closure velocity of the access panel as it pivots from an open position to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAM CARBIS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Allan J. Melton, William S. Meacham, Matthew Elvington
  • Patent number: 9309030
    Abstract: A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: David A. Williams
  • Patent number: 9273488
    Abstract: A positive locking keeper for use with an aircraft panel latch assembly having a hook for engaging the positive locking keeper includes a keeper housing having a central opening, and a coupling having a head and a shaft extending therefrom. The head engages the latch assembly and the shaft extends through the housing with the head disposed on the first side. A detent pin is disposed within an aperture of the keeper housing. The positive locking keeper also includes a nut positioned on the second side of the keeper housing. The shaft engaged the nut. The nut includes indentations on a peripheral edge to receive a portion of the detent pin. In a first position, the detent pin engages one of the indentations and prevents rotation of the nut. In a second position, the detent pin does not engage the indentations and the nut is able to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Avibank Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Jung Ung Yu
  • Patent number: 9206622
    Abstract: A door lock secures a door when closed within a doorframe. The lock includes a bolt guide, a bolt, a bolt actuator, and a bolt receiver. The bolt includes a first portion that is adjacent to a proximal end and a second portion that is adjacent a distal end of the bolt. The actuator moves the bolt along the bolt guide between a locked position and an unlocked position. The second portion extends beyond the guide when in the locked position and is received by the receiver. The bolt deforms within the receiver and thereby predominantly absorbs energy from an intrusion load. A maximum deformation of the bolt prior to failure of the lock from the intrusion load is at least 4%, 25%, or 120% of a thickness of the bolt. A maximum deformation of the bolt prior to failure of the lock may be at least 40%, 55%, or 72% of a maximum overall deflection of the lock. The receiver may include a deformation guide that guides deformation of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Flexible Security LLC
    Inventor: Bradley A. Lila
  • Patent number: 9027988
    Abstract: A striker device for a motor vehicle door lock having a striker and an element made of a plastic material and equipped with a plate, which is suitable for being placed against a wall of the motor vehicle and is coupled to the striker in fixed relative position; the element has a plurality of tongues, which protrude from the plate in the opposite direction to the striker and are arranged in positions so as to engage, in use, the edges of two apertures in the wall of the motor vehicle, to keep the plate in a fixed reference position during a first fitting step; the tongues are breakable to enable changing the position of the striker device with respect to the wall of the motor vehicle in a possible second fitting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Olivieri, Marilisa Quaresima
  • Publication number: 20140353989
    Abstract: Adjustable strike plate assemblies and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The assemblies include a cover plate that defines a lock-facing side, an opposed striker-facing side, and a striker opening. The assemblies further include a striker that defines a bolt receptacle that is sized to receive a bolt of a lock. The bolt receptacle is aligned within the striker opening to define a bolt-receiving portion of the strike plate assembly. The assemblies further include an alignment structure that aligns the striker with the cover plate to define a plurality of orientations of the bolt receptacle relative to the striker opening. In operation, the striker-facing side of the cover plate generally faces toward the striker and the alignment structure. The assemblies further include a fastening structure that selectively retains the bolt receptacle in a selected orientation of the plurality of orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: JAMES BURTON NELSON
  • 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: 8783744
    Abstract: An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Dominik Scheffler, Scott Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8752871
    Abstract: A wire strike assembly for use with a latch mechanism having an adjustment mechanism and locking mechanism to enable the wire strike assembly to be readily adjusted to align with the latch in an efficient and fail safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Actron Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank H. Rechberg, Jason A. Rechberg
  • Patent number: 8702134
    Abstract: A door lock device for an electric household appliance with movable latch, in particular a dryer, where the latch is carried by the door of the electric household appliance rotating on a plane, normally perpendicular to a door rotation axis, including a frame carried in use by the casing of the electric household appliance and provided with striker means for the latch; where the striker means are obtained on a pair of opposite jaws carried by the frame adjacent to each other and movable against the bias of elastic means and where the frame is provided with guiding means for the jaws adapted to cause the jaws to be driven apart from each other in response to a traction exerted in use on the latch, said elastic means and guiding means being arranged so that the movement of the jaws occurs on a plane arranged perpendicular in use to the rotation plane of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Zvonko Lesjak
  • Publication number: 20140097625
    Abstract: A device apt to guarantee the stable blocking of a rotary or sliding door with respect to a fixed surface or frame, of the type consisting of a male element and of a female element, the latter being shaped so as to house said male element and retain it in an easy detachable way. According to the invention, said female element comprises a pair of mutually spaced-apart, parallel, elastic wings, projecting from a support base, and said male element consists of a substantially spherical knob, having a diameter slightly larger than the distance between said elastic wings, apt to snap engage between said elastic wings. Moreover, with said base of the female element and/or with said knob of the male element there are associate position adjustment means, for example in the shape of a square wing, and facilitated fastening means, for example in the shape of a single fastening screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: ELESA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Alberto Bertani
  • Publication number: 20140008939
    Abstract: A striker device for a motor vehicle door lock having a striker and an element made of a plastic material and equipped with a plate, which is suitable for being placed against a wall of the motor vehicle and is coupled to the striker in fixed relative position; the element has a plurality of tongues, which protrude from the plate in the opposite direction to the striker and are arranged in positions so as to engage, in use, the edges of two apertures in the wall of the motor vehicle, to keep the plate in a fixed reference position during a first fitting step; the tongues are breakable to enable changing the position of the striker device with respect to the wall of the motor vehicle in a possible second fitting step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Olivieri, Marilisa Quaresima
  • Patent number: 8449006
    Abstract: A technique and various door/latch structures are provided to deal efficiently and effectively with excessive appliance door closure/opening forces that can arise in the case that the door strike extension depth is not ideally matched to the relative location of the mating latch mechanism. This is particularly useful in connection with the use of a push-push style access door that must be compressed against a compressible seal gasket in order to effect both opening and closing of the door. A strike member is mounted to one of an appliance cabinet and door so as to be engagable with a latch mechanism when the door is in the closed position. The installing involves initially tentatively mounting the strike in a first of at least two provisioned ways, to thereby provide a first of at least two different strike extension depths. The door operation is then tested to determine whether an excessive operation force is required in order to open or close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Joerger, Chris H. Hill, Jason Schott, Douglas C. Norman
  • Patent number: 8439410
    Abstract: A prehung door jamb assembly is provided that includes a strike plate mounting assembly configured to fasten to a door jamb. The strike plate mounting assembly includes a longitudinal extending support plate, a longitudinal extending second plate, first and second strike plate supports, a spacer, at least one adjustment fastener, and at least one fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Mark L. Sauder
  • Patent number: 8382171
    Abstract: A self-adjusting striker assembly, for use with a box having a lid, a box body and a latch, includes a striker bar mounted to the lid which is operative to move linearly relative to the latch in the event of misalignment between the lid and box body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Daws Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120286527
    Abstract: An adjustable strike plate assembly for a door including a first member having a first aperture and a second member having a second aperture. The interior surface of the second member abuts the exterior surface of the first member and the first and second apertures at least partially overlap to define a strike hole through which a handset latch is received. A flange extending outwardly from the interior surface of the first member adjacent the first aperture is received within a mortise hole in the door jamb. The flange guides the latch into the hole. The second member includes a curved lip that extends outwardly from the interior surface thereof and into selective engagement with one of a plurality of grooves on the exterior surface of the first member. The first member is movable relative to the second member to adjust the dimensions and location of the strike hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PROVIA DOOR, INC.
    Inventors: William Mullet, Mihai F. Cotlet
  • Patent number: 8251413
    Abstract: A bar guide for guiding locking bars on sheet metal cabinet doors, or the like, comprises a carrier which can be secured, e.g., spot welded, to the inside surface of the door leaf and a guide element which can be mounted on the carrier and which has a guide surface whose distance from the inside surface of the door leaf is adjustable. According to the invention, the carrier which is spot welded to the door leaf is a pin with a circumferential thread, and an adjusting screw or adjusting nut can be screwed, or is screwed, on this pin. The guide element is a housing which encloses the adjusting screw and which has a guide channel forming the guide surface for the locking bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: DIRAK Dieter Ramsauer Konstruktionselemente GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Publication number: 20120161457
    Abstract: A strike plate for spring-latch locks, particularly with a magnetic spring-latch, to be associated with a support constituted by a frame of a casing or by a leaf and provided with a spring-latch hole in a position that corresponds to the spring-latch in order to receive it upon closure of the lock. The strike plate comprises: a body, which forms a seat for the spring-latch, to be arranged at the spring-latch hole; at least one protrusion for insertion in the spring-latch hole, which protrudes from the body; elements for locking the protrusion in the spring-latch hole by expansion in a direction that is substantially transverse to a longitudinal direction of the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Antonio Mario Alban
  • Publication number: 20120119523
    Abstract: A safety lock mechanism is provided that facilitates accurate and consistent alignment between a locking bolt and a locking receptacle prior to engaging the locking bolt. To this end, a safety lock configured to mount to a door frame is provided with an internally disposed hard stop that protects the electrical and mechanical components within the safety lock housing from door impact shock. An extended portion of the hard stop protrudes through the housing facing the direction of door travel. A corresponding receptacle assembly configured to mount to the door is fabricated to include a bolt receptacle hole as well as an open window that engages with the extended portion of the hard stop when the door is in the closed position. When the window in the receptacle is engaged with the extended portion of the hard stop, door movement is limited in five directions even when the locking bolt is not yet engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael N. Burdenko, Dennis C. MacKey, Richard Galera, Steven Tambeau
  • Publication number: 20120086224
    Abstract: An anchor plate assembly adjustably mounts a striker on the vehicle pillar. The striker has a striker base with apertures for receiving mounting bolts that will extend though oversized apertures in the pillar. An anchor base has a base plate for engagement with the pillar and bolt slots in the base plate for alignment with the oversized apertures in the pillar. An anchor slide has a slide plate mounted for vertical sliding movement on the base plate. The slide plate has nuts thereon aligned with the oversized apertures of the pillar. The nuts receive the mounting bolts so that when the mounting bolts are loose the striker together with the anchor slide can be adjusted vertically until tightening of the mounting bolts effectively clamps the slide plate of the anchor slide against the base plate of the anchor base to maintain the striker at the vertically adjusted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Novajovsky, Kenneth G. Danaj, Glenn L. Traister, Henry J. Nykiel
  • Patent number: 8146966
    Abstract: An electric strike which provides vertical adjustability of the position of the strike relative to the latch bolt in the closure with modification to the doorframe on the dust box. A ramp element in the strike housing is adjustable relative to the strike and is securable at the time of installation to align the center of the latch bolt and strike. The ramp element has a channel to allow entry and exit of a latch bolt having a dead latch. A keeper engages the dead latch and maintains it in a retracted position when the closure is locked and is released when the electric latch solenoid is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Webb, Scott Sullivan, Joshua T. Peabody, Steve Whisel
  • Patent number: 8132832
    Abstract: A door jamb reinforcing system comprising a first reinforcing member, wherein the first reinforcing member comprises a plurality of first screw receiving openings for receiving mounting screws, a latch bolt receiving aperture, and at least one deadbolt latch bolt receiving aperture; a strike plate; and a second reinforcing member, wherein the second reinforcing member has a substantially L-shaped cross section and comprises a plurality of corresponding second screw receiving openings for receiving mounting screws, a strike plate receiving aperture, and at least one deadbolt latch bolt receiving aperture, wherein the deadbolt latch bolt receiving aperture is formed to correspond to the deadbolt latch bolt receiving aperture; wherein when the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member are attachable to a door frame in overlying contacting abutting relation with each other and with the door jamb with mounting screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventor: Edward R. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110291848
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices that efficiently stop and latch a door are presented. A first bracket component is attached to a door frame and has an overhang portion, comprising a holder component, that extends into the doorway to act as a door stop. A second bracket component, comprising an extended portion, is desirably adjusted in position in relation to the holder component and attached to the door such that the extended portion has a desired amount of overlap on the holder component, wherein the amount of overlap corresponds to an amount of latching force in accordance with the force profile associated with the extended portion based at least in part on shape of the extended portion. An operation device is attached to the first bracket component and/or second bracket component and the door latching holds the door in the desired position to facilitate operations of the operation component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael N. Burdenko
  • Patent number: 8056942
    Abstract: A lock for releasably locking a movable hatch to a counterpart is equipped with a fitting (1) having a locking assembly (21) and an additional fitting (2) having an additional locking assembly (28) that can be brought into engagement with the locking assembly (21) of the other fitting (1). The fittings (1, 2) are made of plastic and an elastically deformable compensating cushion (7) is present, which is fastened to one fitting (1, 2) and which when the fittings (1, 2) are in the locked position is disposed deformed between the fittings (1, 2) such that it exerts a bias on them (1, 2). The inventive lock is therefore light but strong and compensates tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: A. Raymond et Cie
    Inventors: Aexander Marini, Andy Junge, Rene Dreiocker
  • Publication number: 20110252845
    Abstract: A system for operating an electric door release having an actuator powered by an energy harvester. The actuator may be a piezoelectric actuator and the harvester may be a piezo harvester. The system may further include a power module, a rechargeable battery and a voltage boost circuit disposed between the energy harvester and the actuator. When a piezoelectric actuator is used, a recycle actuator discharge circuit may be disposed between the piezoelectric actuator and the power module battery for recapturing a portion of the energy delivered to the piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric harvester may include an energy input portion whereby the piezo electric harvester is excited by the energy input portion. The energy input portion may include a circular or linear driving gear for exciting the piezoelectric harvester or a stepper motor generator, driven by movement of a door. The harvester may also be a stepper motor/generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Webb, Charles Christiansen, Leland J. Hanchett, JR., Scott Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110193354
    Abstract: A magnetic gate latch device to secure a gate in a locked position to a fence or other barrier to close or block a portal formed therein comprising a latch assembly including a lower latch pin coupled to an upper latch pin actuator by an intermediate interconnecting element mounted to the fence or other barrier adjacent the portal wherein the lower latch pin is normally biased in upper or unlocked position and a keeper assembly including a keeper base affixed to the gate and a keeper arm extending outwardly therefrom having a latch pin recess formed therein with a latch pin positioner comprising a vertically disposed magnet disposed adjacent the latch pin recess such that when the gate is closed the vertically disposed magnet of the latch pin positioner moves the lower latch pin, intermediate interconnecting element and upper latch pin from the normally biased upper or unlocked position to a lower or locked position drawing the latch pin into the latch pin recess against the force of the bias and when as the
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Carl Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20110175378
    Abstract: An adjustable door strike includes a mounting bracket (10) and an adjustable strike (12) mounted to a doorframe (26) that allows for the position of the strike (12) to be adjusted such that it is aligned with latch and/or deadbolt mounted on a door. The mounting bracket (10) includes a first mounting aperture (14(a), a second mounting aperture (14b) and a rectangular opening (16) located between the first mounting aperture (14a) and the second mounting aperture (14b). The adjustable strike (12) includes a first slotted aperture (18a) located on a first edge of the adjustable strike (12), a second slotted aperture (18b) located on a second edge opposite the first edge of the adjustable strike (12), and a latch opening (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: UTC FIRE & SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Levent Gosterisli
  • Patent number: 7967348
    Abstract: A key alignment system for safety interlock switches uses alignment holes, and alignment pins to compensate for misalignment between a body assembly and a key assembly. The misalignment is often due to normal wear and tear or outright abuse of a gate or other movable member that should be safely interlocked. The key is fixed to a floating plate connected to a mounting plate by a suspension. The alignment pins and holes on or in a fixed alignment assembly and the floating plate can move the floating plate into a position such that the key enters the key hole. Some embodiments incorporate the fixed alignment assembly into the body assembly. The normal function of a keyed safety interlock wherein the key can be caught and held or released is preserved and enhanced by compensating for misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Eisenhower, Jr., Jeffrey S. Hall, Mark A. Mantua
  • Patent number: 7938458
    Abstract: A door latch and striker combination for a vehicle door is provided with a pivotal cam on the striker assembly of the door frame so as to overcome misalignment between the latch assembly and striker assembly. When the door is moved from an open position to the closed position, the latch housing engages the cam, which pivots over center as the door closure continues, thereby lifting the latch assembly and door into proper alignment with the striker bolt on the door frame, such that the door can be closed. The cam is spring biased to an initial position with an inclined upper surface. The cam supports the latch assembly while the door is closed, and allows the latch assembly to slide over the upper cam surface when the door is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Trimark Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis J. Zweibohmer, Brandon L. Hemann
  • Publication number: 20100207405
    Abstract: A bar guide for guiding locking bars on sheet metal cabinet doors, or the like, comprises a carrier which can be secured, e.g., spot welded, to the inside surface of the door leaf and a guide element which can be mounted on the carrier and which has a guide surface whose distance from the inside surface of the door leaf is adjustable. According to the invention, the carrier which is spot welded to the door leaf is a pin with a circumferential thread, and an adjusting screw or adjusting nut can be screwed, or is screwed, on this pin. The guide element is a housing which encloses the adjusting screw and which has a guide channel forming the guide surface for the locking bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Patent number: 7744135
    Abstract: An adjustable striker bolt assembly includes a mount having a first slot oriented along a first axis and a second slot oriented along a second axis. The second axis is disposed at a predetermined angle to the first axis. The adjustable striker bolt assembly further includes a striker bolt supported in the second slot of the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Wiese, Michael E. Lee, Derick L. Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 7726707
    Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a striker in a rotary pawl latch. The latch assembly includes a housing, a rotary pawl, and an actuator. The housing can have one sidewall having a notch for receiving the striker. A trigger can be pivotally attached to the housing such that the actuator releases the rotary pawl thus opening the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Simchayoff, Richard B. Langkamp, Jr., D. Dale Turner, James H. Vickers
  • Patent number: 7722097
    Abstract: An electric rim strike including a housing having a cavity defined therein; a pivotally rotatable keeper having a front blocking face; a pivotally rotatable locking bar having a rear blocking face; and an actuating mechanism that selectively pivots the locking bar. The keeper, locking bar, and actuating mechanism are disposed within the cavity of the housing. The actuating mechanism being operationally connected to the locking bar and driving the locking bar and the keeper from a first state to a second state. The rear blocking face of the locking bar opposes the front blocking face of the keeper to prevent the locking bar and keeper from freely rotating relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Rutherford Controls International Corp.
    Inventors: Robert P. Schnarr, John S. Rutherford
  • Publication number: 20100084877
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable strike having a striker plate, an end cap removably attached to an end of the striker plate, and the end cap having a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each for attaching the end cap with a door frame. The end cap also has a tab for removably attaching the striker plate with the end cap. The invention also relates to a method of providing the adjustable strike.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Steven A. Gledhill, Shelly Ellen Farrell
  • Patent number: 7669902
    Abstract: An electrically-operable strike for locking and unlocking doors. The strike is mounted on a face plate which in turn is mounted on a door jamb. The face plate is provided with mounting apertures which receive adjustment inserts each having an offset aperture for a mounting screw for mounting the strike on the face plate. The face plate also has a tongue extending distally from a lip and a break-off portion at the distal end of the tongue. The strike is first mounted with the offset apertures in a distal position. If the strike does not function properly due to preload, the strike is remounted with the offset apertures in a proximal position and the break-off portion is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Trine Access Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ferdinand E. Orbeta