Single Patents (Class 70/201)
  • Patent number: 6098431
    Abstract: A manual shift lever locking structure including a knob moveable up and down relative to an axle of the shift lever; a lock in the knob for locking and fixing the knob and the axle of the shift lever relative to each other; and a restraining element provided under the knob for restraining the lower end of the knob wherein the axle of the shift lever are restrained from movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Chi-yuan Li
  • Patent number: 6089055
    Abstract: A device for locking the brake or clutch of a vehicle and preventing its theft comprises a base member for placement on the floorboard of a vehicle beneath a brake pedal, a U-shaped housing extending downward further comprises a first arm attached to the base and having a second shorter arm defining a gap for receipt of a brake pedal shaft, said space between the first and second arms defining a slot for receiving the brake pedal shaft and permitting its fully extension upward through said shaft, and locking means associated with the second leg for locking the underside of the pedal within the slot such that the brake pedal cannot be depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 5983681
    Abstract: An improved lock device for the automatic shift lever of a car, and especially a lock device which still has a theft-proof effect after it is broken by limiting a limiting rod, wherein, in a receiving hole of a knob, a rear and a front hole is provided respectively on a protruding portion on the front end of an operating rod and at a position position on the periphery of an inner end of a push button to exactly receive the limiting rod which is surrounded by a spring, when the push button is pressed or released, the end of the limiting rod abuts against a plateform in the receiving hole, while the other end can freely slide to and fro relatively to the rear and front holes; and when in locking, the lever lock is rotated to render a stop piece provided between the push button and the protruding portion to rotate to the position between the rear and front holes to limit and to reduce the stroke of the limiting rod to the range between the plateform and the stop piece, thus an object of locking is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Li Chi Yuan
  • Patent number: 5921118
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved shift lever lock structure of a car, wherein, a lock core and an upper and a lower bead seat are placed in from the front end of the housing of the lever lock, the lock core is extended through a through hole on the wall of the housing, then a C shaped ring and a moving sheet set for the lock are mounted on and secured, a movable side pin is transversely provided on the upper bead seat, it can be pushed to open the lock when a key is inserted, the lock core is very difficult to be destroyed from the front end thereof, thus an additional safety is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Li Chi Yuan
  • Patent number: 5881587
    Abstract: A device for locking the brake of a vehicle and preventing its theft comprising: a base member for a placement on the floorboard of a vehicle beneath a brake pedal; a U-shaped housing extending downward and having a first arm attached to the base and having a second shorter arm defining a gap for receipt of a brake pedal shaft, said space between the first and second arms defining a slot for receiving the brake pedal shaft and permitting its full extension upward through said shaft; and locking means associated with the second arm for locking the underside of the pedal within the slot such that the brake pedal cannot be depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lawman Armor Corp.
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 5875662
    Abstract: A lockable quick release assembly for securing removable parts such as a wheel to the fork of a bicycle frame with the assembly including a specialized handle which not only rotates a cam shaped member within the interior of the assembly but has a key means which allows locking of the assembly to the frame to prevent theft of the wheel. The assembly also has means to secure the handle to the assembly so it will not fall off during normal use of the bicycle, but can be removed if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Michael L. Denby, Charles R. Posenauer
  • Patent number: 5870912
    Abstract: A device for locking the brake of a vehicle and preventing its theft comprising: a base member for a placement on the floorboard of a vehicle beneath a brake pedal; a U-shaped housing extending downward and having a first arm attached to the base and having a second shorter arm defining a gap for receipt of a brake pedal shaft, said space between the first and second arms defining a slot for receiving the brake pedal shaft and permitting its full extension upward through said shaft; and locking means associated with the second arm for locking the underside of the pedal within the slot such that the brake pedal cannot be depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Lawman Armor Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 5829282
    Abstract: A lock assembly for locking a control lever in a neutral or non-active position includes a lock mechanism having a locking pin and a locking bracket for receiving the locking pin. The locking bracket is secured to the control lever and prevents the lever from moving when the locking pin is engaged with the bracket. The control lever controls a work function of a work machine and the lock assembly prevents unintentional activation of the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Surridge
  • Patent number: 5809813
    Abstract: A lock adapted for use in automatic gear shifts and mounted in a gear shift head, including a core, a stop block, an escutcheon, and a cylinder. The core has latch bolts at either side, a keyway at a front end, and a projection at a rear end. The stop block has a stop hole at a front end for receiving the projection of the core, and a stop projection at a rear end. The escutcheon has an insertion hole at a front end, the insertion hole having a cross section comprised of an oval shape and a rectangular shape sized to match the stop block, a through hole at a rear end, and a lock post that passes through the through hole, the lock post including a head portion of a larger size and a press piece projecting from the rear end of the escutcheon. A spring is fitted over the press piece and that part of the lock post exposed on the outside of the rear end of the escutcheon. A lock spring is further provided on the escutcheon near the press piece and adapted to urge against the inner wall of the gear shift head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventor: Mao-Shen Wang
  • Patent number: 5790974
    Abstract: A personal calendaring system includes a portable calendaring system and a complementary office calendar system, each synchronizing calendar entries by two-way wireless transmission. The portable calendaring system includes a GPS receiver interface providing location data. The office calendar system and the portable calendar system each includes a calendar memory storing calendar entries, a wireless paging interface for exchanging schedule change requests and location data, a traffic receiver interface receiving wireless traffic data from an external source, and a perceptual software agent that automatically updates stored calendar entries in response to detected events. The perceptual agents of the respective portable and office systems communicate using the two-way wireless paging interfaces to ensure the stored schedules are synchronized, and to minimize conflicts between schedule change requests entered at respective locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Tognazzini
  • Patent number: 5765413
    Abstract: A gear shift lever including lever body, a knob mounted on a top end of the lever body, a control rod mounted in the lever body, a button mounted in a recessed chamber of the knob and depressed to force down the control rod for permitting the lever body to be shifted, and a button lock unit controlled to lock the button, wherein the button lock unit includes a stop member mounted inside the recessed chamber and having a forwardly extended projecting rod inserted into a longitudinal groove of the button, a spring connected between the stop member and the button to impart an outward pressure to the button, and a lock mounted in the button and turned with the key to move a stop rod in and out of the longitudinal groove of the button, the stop rod being stopped against the projecting rod of the stop member to lock the button when it is moved into the longitudinal groove of the button, the stop rod being disengaged from the projecting rod of the stop member to unlock the button when it is moved out of the longitud
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Teng Wei Jung
  • Patent number: 5735148
    Abstract: An auto-transmission shift lever locking structure for an automobile is disclosed. The locking structure includes a base member mounted to a free end of the shift lever and a cover member secured to the base member, defining therebetween a space for disposing therein a locking member and a U-shaped hook member. The base member is provided with a concave slot thereon. The cover member is provided with a first channel and a second channel. A locking driver has a driving rod rotatable by a key for locking or unlocking the locking device. The locking driver is mounted into the first channel of the cover member, used to operate the driving member and further control the U-shaped hook member. A shift enabling button with a spring is inserted into the second channel of the cover member to perform shifting of the transmission system when the locking structure is at unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Hsiao
  • Patent number: 5715710
    Abstract: A brake pedal immobilizing device has first and second shafts with crossheads mounted thereon for relative longitudinal sliding movement to clamp a brake pedal shaft between them. The second shaft carries a stand-off formed by a floor engaging foot extending longitudinally aligned below the crossheads, supporting the device on the vehicle floor during clamping adjustment. The second crosshead is formed with a hook and is rotatively mounted on one end of the first shaft while the other crosshead is mounted on the first shaft in a screw fit. An upper end of the first shaft is received in a sleeve with a shaft locking mechanism and terminates in a handle. A third crosshead carries a third shaft slidingly received in the first crosshead and having a lower end forming a locking/wedging pin for receipt in a bore in the second crosshead in the clamping position to complete enclosure of the brake pedal shaft. A barrier frame is attached to the first crosshead above a brake pedal to block forcing tool access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventors: Achille A. De Lucia, Roger De Lucia
  • Patent number: 5713230
    Abstract: A gearshift-stick locking assembly includes a padlock body, an annular fluorescent seat and a shackle. The seat is shaped as a rectangular frame and is made of a rubber containing a fluorescent material. The padlock body has a top surface and a mushroom-shaped projection which projects integrally from the top surface so as to define therebetween an annular groove within which the frame is engaged. The frame has two curved opposite side surfaces each of which defines a shackle-positioning slot. The legs of the shackle are engaged fittingly within the slots. Preferably, each of the curved opposite side surfaces of the frame is provided with several longitudinally extending ribs and bumps for contact with the legs of the shackle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Inventor: Nana Wang
  • Patent number: 5689982
    Abstract: An anti-theft lock for the permanent attachment to a gear shifting lever of an automobile comprising a L-shaped elbow member which can be placed into a slot for gear shifting movement of such lever and locked therein to fill-up same and therefore blocking the movement of the gear shifting lever and preventing the operation of the vehicle, a body member comprising a pair of parallel passages adapted to accommodate a portion of such gear shifting lever securely thereunto and the vertical rod portion of the L-shaped elbow regulating its movement therein, and means associated with the vertical rod of the elbow and the body member to lock the elbow for the anti-theft function and unlock and arrest same for the normal operation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Martin Mingyang Chang
  • Patent number: 5596894
    Abstract: A lock structure, which can prevent shifting of a control link and a push button of an automatic shift lever in a car, having a lever lock, an axle tube and a limiting block in a sheath. By engaging with of the lever lock, the axle tube and the limiting block, an depression of the push button for shifting can be prevented. When unlocked, a lock core on the lever lock can be turned to align the axle tube and the protruding pieces provided on the surface to allow displacement of the push button for normal shifting. The lock is locked by turning the lock core to prevent depression of the push button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Inventor: Chi-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 5586457
    Abstract: A vehicle disablement system that prevents and deters the unauthorized use of a vehicle by limiting engine operation to idle speed. A pedal obstructing device is located beneath the accelerator pedal of the vehicle that is selectively movable between an obstructing position, engaging the pedal, and an enablement position, clearing the pedal. The pedal obstructing device is moved into the obstructing position by an electromagnetic actuator (e.g., a solenoid) or by a motor. The device is locked into the obstructing position by a locking arm which is electromagnetically activated. In an alternative embodiment of the system, the electromagnetic actuator or the motor is controlled from a remotely operated transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Manuel L. Keener
  • Patent number: 5546775
    Abstract: A locking device for an automatic shift lever in a car is embedded in a shift knob by providing a receiving hole on the lateral side of the knob for the shift lever to receive a lever lock. A stop piece is provided on one end of the lever lock to lock a push button to prevent the shift lever from shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Chi-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 5537846
    Abstract: A motor vehicle anti-theft device adapted to disable the brake pedal of the vehicle. The device includes an outer housing and an inner shaft member mounted within the housing for relative rotary and telescopic movement. A first clamp structure is journaled on the shaft and a second clamp structure is threaded on the shaft so that, as the shaft is rotated in the housing, the clamp members are moved toward and away from each other into and out of locking engagement with the brake pedal. The inner shaft and outer housing are slid telescopically relative to each other to firmly engage the fire wall of the vehicle with the clamp members clamped about the brake pedal. A lock structure is provided to preclude relative rotary and relative longitudinal movement of the housing and the shaft. The device functions to lock the pedal in a brake released position so that the vehicle cannot be started since the brake/shift interlock cannot be actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: David A. Simon
  • Patent number: 5479836
    Abstract: A quick release mechanism is engaged on a two wheeled cycle for securing wheels, seat post or other elements. The quick release mechanism includes a post engaged through a pad and a sleeve, and threadedly engaging with a nut. A lock housing is secured on one end of the post. A core is rotatably engaged in the lock housing. A handle includes two cams secured to two end portions of the core such that the core and the handle rotate in concert. The handle is prevented from rotating when the core is locked to the lock housing such that the quick release mechanism may not be disengaged from the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Chin-Shu Chang
  • Patent number: 5329792
    Abstract: A locking device for an automatic shift lever on a car, having a housing provided at one side of the handle of the shift lever, an engaging lever, and a locating piece capable of rotating with a lock core received inside the housing. When a protruding end of the engaging lever is pressed inwardly, the locating piece will abut against a bottom edge of the engaging lever. In this position, a sleeve inside the handle has a slot which is engaged with a limiting end located on the top of the engaging lever, so that the shift lever is impossible to be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Chi-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 5291763
    Abstract: A universal lock is provided for attachment to a conventional quick release mechanism of a bicycle, a bicycle carrier, or a bicycle seat post. The lock includes a conventional key operated plug lock mounted within a lock adaptor which in turn is rotatably mounted upon a lever housing. The lever housing includes an aperture for attachment of the conventional lever bore at the end of the shaft of the quick release mechanism. A camming mechanism with stop points is used to control rotation of the lock adaptor on the lever housing. In the locked position, the lever housing blocks movement of the lever arm. In the unlocked position, the lever housing may be rotated to enable operation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Inventor: Charles P. Cuisinot
  • Patent number: 5263345
    Abstract: An improved anti-theft device is provided for a motor vehicle having a floor, a central console on the floor, an emergency brake lever on the central console, a cable extending from the emergency brake lever to operate the emergency brake and control pedals above the floor. The device consists of a structure coupled between the emergency brake lever and the control pedals for preventing operation of the control pedals when the emergency brake lever is pulled into its engagement position to set the emergency brake in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Inventor: Nikola Zagorac
  • Patent number: 5134764
    Abstract: In an anti-theft hand brake arrangement for a motor vehicle having a ratchet release mechanism operable by a push button, exposed at the end of a handbrake lever, the push-button incorporates a cylinder lock. In the locked condition, the push-button may still be depressed, but without acting on the ratchet release mechanism, while in the unlocked condition an abutment member at the inner end of the push-button is so positioned as to engage a release member of the ratchet release mechanism when the push-button is depressed, thereby to release the brake ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: Michael Taylor
  • Patent number: 5050411
    Abstract: In a shift lever locking device for an automatic transmission of column type, a drive cam is turned with a key rotor mounted on a steering column, a shift shaft arranged along the steering column is turned by operating a shift lever so that the automatic transmission is shifted to a plurality of positions, a lock part is formed on the shift shaft, a link mechanism provided movably has at least a lever which is swung to operate in a link mode a drive part confronting with the driving cam of the key rotor and a lock member confronting with the lock part of the shift shaft; and an adjusting mechanism is provided for the lever of the link mechanism to adjust the positional relationships between the driving cam and the drive part and between the lock part and the lock member, whereby the assembling errors are absorbed which may be involved in assembling work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tomonori Kawachi, Minoru Morikawa, Noriyuki Suzuki, Masami Watanabe, Nobuyoshi Yasuhara, Yoshitaka Sato
  • Patent number: 4747278
    Abstract: A vehicle shift lever locking mechanism for retrofitting to motor vehicles includes in one form a universal adapter to enable the locking mechanism to be fitted to shift levers of a wide variety of motor vehicles. The universal adapter is received at least in part within a handle and a locking assembly is also received in part within the universal adapter and the handle so as to mechanically interlock the components in assembled relationship. The handle is designed to overlie the fastening arrangement which secures the universal adapter to the shift lever and thus prevents unauthorized removal of the locking mechanism. Embodiments of the locking mechanism are suited for either cable or rod actuated shift mechanisms. In another form the locking mechanism is formed for attachment to a steering column shift mechanism and includes a lock assembly movable within a housing mounted on the steering column to a position in which the lock assembly prevents pivotal releasing movement of the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Bernedette M. Roncelli
    Inventors: Paul E. Roncelli, deceased, Bernadette Roncelli, personal representative
  • Patent number: 4541257
    Abstract: A safety lock for automobiles with a manual transmission operable by a shift stick is associated with the shift stick which includes a double-armed shift lever supported by a ball joint pivotally disposed in a floor-mounted neck member and a locking sleeve disposed on the shift stick axially movable between upper and lower end positions in which the sleeve may be locked and having a locking member at its bottom end adapted to firmly engage a flanged tubular member mounted on the neck member when locked in its lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Inventor: Rudi Stoll
  • Patent number: 4297914
    Abstract: A shift gate 22 allowing movement of a control lever 12 in a fore and aft plane is provided with a pivotable plate 46 having a recess 60 located in the midsection of said pivotable plate corresponding to a neutral position of a control lever. The control lever 12 will be locked in neutral when the pivotable plate is swung into position and an attached security knob 56 draws the pivotable plate 46 into a restrained position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventors: John E. Klem, Daniel E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4282769
    Abstract: A lock assembly for a transmission gear shift lever that uses a detent latch-type lock pivotably mounted to a support structure adjacent to the transmission gear shift lever. Upon rotation of the latch, a locking arm is mated with the gear shift lever thereby securing it in the neutral position. The lock functions primarily as a safety device to hold the gear shift lever of the vehicle's transmission in a neutral position thereby preventing damage or bodily injury that could occur if the shift lever is accidentally or unintentionally jarred thereby placing the transmission into gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Fiat-Allis Construction Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Don G. Sandrock
  • Patent number: 4249404
    Abstract: A transmission shift control mechanism has a pivotally mounted shift lever and bracket on which is pivotally mounted a lock pawl. A lock lever is pivotally mounted on the same axis as the shift lever and bracket and has an abutment surface thereon which is maintained in contact with a cam surface on the lock pawl. The shift lever and bracket and the lock lever are operatively connected by a spring. The lock lever is connected to the vehicle steering column by a cable mechanism such that the lock lever is maintained stationary when the steering column is locked whereupon pivotal movement of the shift lever and bracket results in relative movement between the lock pawl and abutment surface causing engagement between the lock pawl and the stationary latch member whereby further pivoting of the shift lever and bracket is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dan R. Kimberlin
  • Patent number: 4231241
    Abstract: A locking device for preventing the theft of certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The device is designed to mount on the shift lever of certain types of automatic transmissions and prevent shifting out of the PARK position, thus preventing theft of the automobile, even though the engine may be started by unauthorized means. The device is readily attachable to automatic transmission shift levers of the type for which it is designed, cannot be removed without a key, is positive in operation so as to prevent shifting of the transmission when locked, is simple and economical to manufacture, and is reliable and effective in preventing unauthorized operation of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: Marshall A. Lerner
    Inventor: Frank F. Lipski
  • Patent number: 4116024
    Abstract: An anti-theft device having a pivoted lever, a cable connected to one end of the lever and controlling a fuel injection pump, the other end of the lever engaging a cam integral with the cylinder of a lock so that when the cylinder is turned by a key in the lock the cable controls the opening and closing of the fuel injection pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Neiman S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Lipschutz