Retractable Or Flush Handle Patents (Class 70/208)
  • Patent number: 8276412
    Abstract: The description relates to a grip trough to be installed in a rectangular opening of a thin wall such as a sheet-metal wall or door leaf of a sheet-metal cabinet. The trough has a base and four side walls proceeding therefrom, which four side walls run into a rectangular flange-like rim which surrounds the bearing surface of the opening in the thin wall in the installed state. Two shorter, oppositely located side walls extend substantially parallel to one another and extend perpendicular to the thin wall, while the two other, longer side walls are oriented diagonally at an acute angle and obtuse angle, respectively, relative to the thin wall. Wall webs project in direction of the thin wall from the side wall extending at an obtuse angle to the thin wall. According to the invention, at least one receptacle for a closure device, such as a closing cylinder with a sash fastener, is provided in the area of the side wall that extends at an acute angle to the thin wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Dieter Ramsauer
  • Patent number: 8272240
    Abstract: A system for simplifying launching and storage procedures for a recreational boat comprising a radio receiver/controller adapted to be permanently installed onboard the boat, a hand-held radio transmitter for sending a plurality of different signals to the receiver/controller, the receiver/controller including a plurality of separate control circuits, said circuits being connectable to a plurality of power-operated locks on the boat and a set of other electrically operated devices on the boat such as electric lights, an engine tilt actuator, and a bilge blower, the receiver/controller being arranged to be powered by an electrical power circuit serving electrically operated devices on the boat separate from those controlled by the transmitter and receiver/controller, the locks being integrated with manually operated latches and having a manual key override feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Schilens
  • Patent number: 8250889
    Abstract: A compact power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate with a key lockable latch that relies on a lock lever for its operation. The power lock includes a linear power actuator attached to a sliding actuating link with two tabs that engage the lock lever of the key lockable tailgate latch. The actuating link is arranged alongside the linear power actuator so as not to add to its length and to attain maximum compactness. The spacing of the two tabs is such that the lock lever can move freely between the locked and unlocked position when it is activated by the key lockable tailgate latch. When the actuator is energized by voltage pulses of alternating polarity its motion is transferred to the attached actuating link and the tabs push the locking lever to or fro to lock or unlock the tail gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Pop & Lock, LLC
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 8245548
    Abstract: A handle assembly, includes, but is not limited to a handle on one side of a vehicle tailgate liftglass. The handle is connected to a shaft member that passes through a hole in the liftglass. A motor pivots the assembly into either a closed position, in which the handle lies adjacent to the liftglass, or an open position, FIG. 2, in which a gap is left between the handle and the liftglass into which the user may place his hand in order to pull the handle or push the liftglass. Preferably there is a resilient element between the motor and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul Sibley, Phillip Taylor, Simon Keane
  • Patent number: 8245549
    Abstract: A tamperproof power lock is provided for use in a pickup truck tailgate latch handle. The lock includes a power actuator, a rotating crank, a connecting rod and a lock bolt that locks the tailgate handle. The linear output motion of the actuator is transferred into rotation of the crank that is limited to rotate between two stops. An over center spring or friction keeps the crank or the lock bolt in either of the two stop positions. The rotation of the crank is transferred into linear motion of the locking bolt by the connecting rod. In the locked position the crank is up against one of the stops and the connecting rod past dead center. As a result the locking bolt cannot be pushed back forcibly in an attempt to defeat the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pop & Lock, LLC
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 8225629
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a body and at least one locking member. An actuator mechanism within the body is moveable between locked and unlocked positions. The actuator mechanism may be actuated by either a key lock cylinder or an electronic actuator. The lock assembly may also include a memory configured to store user identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Zuraski, Cornelius McDaid, John Paul Thambusami Joy Sachidanadam
  • Patent number: 8186191
    Abstract: A locking paddle handle assembly for closures has a housing with a paddle handle pivotally mounted therein, a latch which latches and unlatches the closure upon rotation of the paddle handle, and a exterior key lock with a movable member that shifts between locked and unlocked positions. A deadbolt lock selectively engages the closure frame in the locked position to positively retain the closure closed. The deadbolt lock is operably connected with the movable key lock member, such that movement of the latter between the latched and unlatched positions contemporaneously shifts the deadbolt lock between the locked and unlocked positions. A remotely operable controller is operably connected with the deadbolt lock to power shift the same between the locked and unlocked positions from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce C. Bacon
  • Patent number: 8176758
    Abstract: A swivel lever can be locked in a trough in a swiveled in position and comprises a locking device which is accommodated in the swivel lever and which can be unlocked by way of an access opening in the swivel lever. The access opening can be made inaccessible by means of a cover. According to the invention, the cover can be blocked mechanically, particularly electromechanically, in its covering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Dirak Dieter Ramsauer Kontruktionselemente GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Ramsauer, Sebastian Koch, Andreas Langenberg
  • Patent number: 8161782
    Abstract: A locking system for access to a door of a vending machine includes an opening handle lock for guiding of a movable lock mechanism between a locked position and an unlocked position. An identification unit for electronic identification operates an electronic blocking device that is adjustable between a) an inactive position where it does not actuate the opening handle lock and where the safety lock not may be opened from the outside, and b) an active position where it actuates the opening handle lock such that it may be opened from the outside. The identification unit also controls the electronic blocking device in such a way that a positive identification moves the electronic blocking device to the active position. A safety lock is arranged that may be actuated independently of the identification unit, and by which the movable lock mechanism might be guided between the locked position and the unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cale Access AB
    Inventors: Carl Johan Håkansson, Ola Hesselvall
  • Patent number: 8146393
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device, includes a cylinder lock for locking and unlocking a locking mechanism of an opening/closing panel, and a pair of pivot members pivotally attached to the opening/closing panel. One pivot member of the pair of pivot members is formed of a shutter capable of opening and closing a key insert hole of the cylinder lock, and another pivot member of the pair of pivot members has a pivotal force transmitting portion for transmitting a pivotal force in a direction to open the key insert hole to the one pivot member and is formed of an operating handle for opening and closing the opening/closing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshiharu Katagiri, Yoshiyuki Seki
  • Patent number: 8146394
    Abstract: A rotary lock actuator for manual or powered actuation of a lock of the type typically used on vehicle doors or storage compartments. The actuator has a housing with a motorized drive train therein. An actuating member is movable between first and second positions. A manual drive member and a powered drive member each have first and second drive surfaces spaced apart from one another. A drive finger is disposed in the spaces between the first and second drive surfaces of each drive member such that the drive finger is engageable with the actuating member. The first driving surface of each drive member engages the finger for moving the actuating member from a first position toward a second position upon movement of one of the drive members. The drive finger is engageable by the second driving surface of each drive member for moving the actuating member from a second position toward the first position upon movement one of the drive members. A bi-stable spring assists movement of the actuating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Questek Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Dale R. Krueger
  • Patent number: 8141398
    Abstract: A side lock apparatus includes: a housing which is fixed to a lid; a disc-shaped rotor which is supported on the housing; and rods which are linked with the rotor, wherein: the housing includes: a bearing portion for the rotor which is provided in such a manner as to extend vertically along the short upper portion of the lid; a first wall; a second wall; and a cylindrical portion which is brought into sliding contact with a disc-shaped outer circumferential surface of the rotor to support the rotor; the rotor is supported on the bearing portion in such a manner that the disc shape thereof becomes horizontal relative to a wall thickness direction of the short upper portion of the lid; and the rods are supported between the first wall and the second wall in such a manner as to slide in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ookawara, Toshihiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8136850
    Abstract: A paddle latch comprising a housing defining a first side and a second side, a shaft extending through the housing defining a first shaft portion on the first side and a second shaft portion on the second side, a paddle for actuation by a latch user on the first side and a releasable latch member for co-operation with an associated striker to latch the paddle latch on the second side wherein the paddle is connected to the first shaft portion and the latch member is connected to the second shaft portion such that torque may be transferred from the paddle to the latch member to release the latch member from the striker in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Western Body Hardware Limited
    Inventors: Martin Wollacott, Matthew Downing
  • Patent number: 8104314
    Abstract: A construction unit (35) comprising a support (30) and a locking cylinder (20) is present in the device and is secured from the inner door side (11) behind the outer door lining (15). Those parts of the locking cylinder which project on the outer door side are covered by a cap which is secured on the inner door side (11) by securing means. In order to simplify the handling and to save space, it is proposed to use the securing means for the cap at the same time in order to also secure the construction unit (35) on the inner door side (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Mueller, Stefan Moenig
  • Patent number: 8099984
    Abstract: A tire lock includes a body to which a positioning member and a stop member are connected. A threaded rod is located in a movable member in the body and a clamping member is threadedly connected to the threaded rod. A plate is connected to the body and located at the conjunction of the body and the fixed member. A rotating unit includes a shaft which is located in the passage of the threaded rod. A first driving member is fixed to the threaded rod and located outside of the passage. A second driving member is fixed to the shaft so that a second protrusion on the second driving member drives a first protrusion on the first driving member to move the clamping member relative to the threaded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventor: Chun-hsien Wu
  • Patent number: 7971460
    Abstract: A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 7921685
    Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a closure element with a striker element in a closed position. The latch assembly consists of first and second latch elements mounted to a housing for movement relative to each other and the housing, with the first latch element being movable relative to the housing between a latched position and a release position, and cooperating structure on the release lever for moving the second latch element relative to the housing and, in response thereto, causing the first latch element to move from its latched position to its release position. A guard plate is positioned between the housing and the first latch element to more securely retain the striker element and prevent tampering or theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ryadon, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg Teskey
  • Patent number: 7866714
    Abstract: An exterior door handle for a motor vehicle, including an electromechanical locking system and a manually actuated handle part that can perform a lifting movement in order to open a door lock. The lifting movement of the handle part is subdivided, a device generating an increased actuation resistance and a switch electrically opening the door lock at the end of a first lifting distance. The handle part can travel an additional lifting distance beyond the first lifting distance in case the electric power supply is interrupted or the electric locking system breaks down, the additional lifting distance mechanically opening the door lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mönig, Dirk Müller, Manfred Rohlfing
  • Patent number: 7861563
    Abstract: A dual locking system having a manual lock and an electrical lock, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable by either the manual lock or electrical lock between an engaged position in which a hook on the shuttle can engage a prong and a disengaged position in which the hook does not engage a prong. Upon de-energization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to de-energization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to de-energization. The dual locking system is incorporated in a latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Antonucci
  • Patent number: 7832240
    Abstract: A lid lock device includes: a housing fixed to either of a lid and a box; a hook member engaged with and disengaged from a lock portion; an elastic biasing unit for biasing the hook member; a control member for controlling the movement of the hook member; and a translating unit for translating the control member, wherein: the hook member includes: a hook portion which is brought into direct engagement with and disengagement from the lock portion; and an operating portion for translating the hook portion from a closing corresponding state to an opening corresponding state; a first wall and a second wall are provided on either of the hook member and the control member; a recessed portion is formed on either of the walls; and a raised portion is formed on the other of the hook member and the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Najima
  • Patent number: 7832239
    Abstract: A lock apparatus for locking a glove box that is rotatably coupled to an instrument panel of a vehicle. The lock apparatus includes an operating portion with a push-type knob, a pair of lock portions, and a transmitting portion with a transmitting member. The operating portion is located closer to a driver seat than a right and left center of the glove box in a right and left direction of a vehicle. The operating portion is coupled to the instrument panel between the instrument panel and the glove box. Each of the lock portions is located at each of right and left end portions of the glove box. The transmitting portion transmits a motion of the operating portion to each of the pair of lock portions using tension and/or compression of the transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kozuka, Toshi Saeki
  • Patent number: 7823937
    Abstract: A slam to close, glove box latch includes a housing, a paddle structure connected to rotate on the housing, a rotary pawl mounted to rotate in the housing, and a lock plate carried by the paddle structure to selectively engage the rotary pawl to inhibit its movement. The rotary pawl is spring biased to the open position. The paddle structure is spring biased to the closed position. The paddle structure includes guideways in which the lock plate operates. When the paddle is moved to the open position, the pawl is released to rotate open and the lock plate is carried to an interference-friction position with the pawl whereby the paddle is held in the open position. When the pawl is closed by the slam action of the latch, the interference-friction with the lock plate is released and the paddle structure returns to the closed position. Biasing is limited to two springs. The volume (envelope) of the latch is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Fabrice Vitry
  • Patent number: 7779659
    Abstract: A door handle device is provided with: a handle member 10; a handle frame member 20 swingably supporting the handle member 10, the handle frame member being fixed to a door 50; and a key cylinder cover 49 integrated with a key cylinder device 30 capable of locking the door 50. The handle member 10 has a swing center axis O about which the handle member 10 swings relative to the handle frame member 20. On the slide center axis O, an engagement pin 14 is interposed between the handle member 10 and the key cylinder cover 49.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsurou Tanimoto, Masaki Nishikawa, Yoshimasa Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7775566
    Abstract: A push-button box-opening structure is provided in which a push button is pushed in from an unlocking starting position to an unlocking position to open a storage box. The unlocking starting position is set at a position where the push button is pushed in a given depth from a pushing-in starting position so as to prevent inadvertent opening of the storage box. The storage box does not open when the button is inadvertently pushed in up to the given depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hanjono, Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7775072
    Abstract: There is disclosed a safety switch for generating an enable signal as a function of the position of a moveable guard door. The safety switch comprises a door part and a frame part. The door part has an activator, which can be displaced between a first and a second position. The frame part has a cutout, in which the activator can engage in the second position. A locking element is arranged on the door part in order to lock the activator in the second position. A sensor is designed to detect at least one of the positions of the activator in order to generate the enable signal as a function thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Pullmann, Roland Rupp, Andreas Veit, Peter Eichinger
  • Patent number: 7752877
    Abstract: According to certain aspects of the invention, rotary actuation latches are disclosed. The latches include a disconnect feature, so that when locked certain elements of the latches are deactivated. The disconnect feature may be operated by a locking device, such as a key lock or other device. The latch may be a rotary compression latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hanson International, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean T. Burns
  • Patent number: 7748246
    Abstract: A handle and housing assembly includes a housing having front and rear sides. A handle is connected on the front side of the housing to a shaft that extends through the housing along a forwardly-rearwardly extending axis. The handle may turn the shaft about the axis to turn components connected to a rear portion of the shaft, and/or the handle may move shaft-connected components forwardly and rearwardly along the axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, the housing defines a forwardly facing recess, and the handle is nestable within and extendable from the recess. In some embodiments, the handle and housing are provided with padlockable formations that extend side by side when the handle is in its nested or retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas J. Paige, Lee S. Weinerman, Paul J. Wolos
  • Patent number: 7748245
    Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a frame, a rotary pawl, a locking member, a handle, and a lock plug. The frame is adapted for attachment to the first member. The handle is pivotally attached to the frame and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking member retains the pawl in the latched position when the locking member is in an undeflected configuration. The handle causes the locking member to deflect and release the pawl from a latched position when the locking member is in an unlocked position and the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the frame and can selectively move the locking member to a locked position where the locking member cannot be actuated by the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Horton, Jason Lieu
  • Patent number: 7695031
    Abstract: A latch has a pop-up knob that provides a handle for pulling on a door when the knob is extended. The door can be closed with the knob either up or down. With the knob up, the latch pawl can be disengaged from a keeper attached to the door frame by pulling the door open. With the knob down, the latch pawl remains in an extended position behind the keeper and the door cannot be pulled open. The knob can be selectively retained in the down position, and placing the knob in the down position results in the rotational movement of the latch pawl being blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Jackson, Jr., Claes Gunnar Wilhelm Magnusson
  • Patent number: 7681424
    Abstract: A latch has a pawl, a handle connected to the pawl, a manual lock for preventing movement of the handle between a closed position and an open position, an electrical lock for preventing movement of the handle between the closed position and the open position, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable between an engaged position in which the handle is prevented from moving from the closed position to the open position and a disengaged position in which the handle is permitted to move from the closed position to the open position. Upon deenergization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to deenergization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to deenergization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Antonucci
  • Publication number: 20100051748
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a door is provided. The latch assembly includes a force actuated locking mechanism having a depressable actuator, a sleeve coupled to an inside surface of the door, wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical opening configured to receive at least a portion of the force actuated locking mechanism therein and maintain the force actuated locking mechanism with respect to the door. The latch assembly also includes a flexible membrane oriented such that the depressable actuator is operable through the flexible membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Keith A. Etling
  • Patent number: 7665335
    Abstract: A swing handle assembly (10) comprising a lockable handle member (20) which when pivotally swung into co-operable alignment with a frame (30) enables the assembly (10) to be placed in a locked condition, wherein the end of the handle member distal from the pivotally attached end comprises a substantially deformable housing (60) located therebeneath, the housing (60) being adapted to support a lock actuator (44), whereby when the assembly is locked and when a destructive outside force sufficient to cause deformation of the housing (60) the locked condition of the assembly (10) is substantially maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Burgundy Trial Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David Martin Stuckey
  • Patent number: 7647797
    Abstract: A programmable electronic lock with a closing tongue is actuated with an actuating mechanism formed by a mobile knob acting as a button joined to the closing tongue. Actuation of the mobile knob generates a movement of the closing tongue and closure of the lock. Recovery of the mobile knob to its initial position generates an opening of the lock. Furthermore, an electronics board is activated with a transponder key and controls operation of the lock by deactivating and subsequently activating a blocking mechanism formed by a motor that actuates a punch via a gear mechanism. When the punch is in a blocking position it is located against the actuating mechanism. When the punch is in an unblocking position, it is separated from the actuating mechanism and allows the movement of the closing tongue by unblocking the actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ojmar S.A.
    Inventors: Ana Viso Cabrera, Ramón Gabikagogeaskoa Sanchez, Beatriz Vierna Garcia
  • Patent number: 7624603
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved lock assembly particularly suited for bulk vending machines, the lock assembly formed by an upper portion including a lock barrel having a lock collar extending downwardly therefrom, the lock collar having a tubular configuration with a hollow interior. A lock pin is secured within the hollow confines of the lock collar. The lock assembly further includes a lock post which is intended to be screwthreadedly mounted to a mounting bar, and the lock post including a first diametric channel cut into the upper portion thereof along a diametric centrally positioned plane, and continues into a curvilinear channel, ending at a pair of opposed stop points, the plane formed by the stop points being exactly 90° perpendicular to the plane formed by the diametric lock channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventors: Trevor Perks, Dale N. Padjen
  • Patent number: 7603881
    Abstract: In a glove box device, a cylinder is fixed to an operating handle, a slide member switches between a locking state and an unlocking state in correspondence to sliding motion, and a connecting member is interposed between one end of the slide member and a rotor. The connecting member transmits a turning force of the rotor turning along with the operating handle to the slide member, to move the slide member from a locking position to an unlocking position when the rotor is in the unlocking position. The connecting member cuts off the transmission of turning force between the slide member in the locking position and the rotor, when the rotor is in the locking position. Thus, it is possible to reduce the number of components needed, and also to reduce a gap between a design face of the operating handle and the cylinder lock, thereby improving the appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Jin Yukihara, Takuya Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 7584634
    Abstract: A retractable lock for cabinet doors, wherein a cradle in a cutout door portion accommodates a lever handle secured, in a pivoted-in position, by a locking mechanism. The lever handle pivots out of the cradle over an operating displacement, via a pivot bearing, in a plane perpendicular to the door panel. A latching bar on the opposite side of the cradle is longitudinally displaceable, with the operating displacement of the lever handle being converted into longitudinal displacement of the latching bar. In a pivoted-in position of the lever handle, an extension thereof rests against a side of an arm fixedly connected to, and extending from, the latching bar facing the direction of movement of the latching bar into its locking position. A spring disposed between the arm and an abutment of the cradle biases the latching bar into its extended locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Rainer Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20090151410
    Abstract: A motorized lock for a vending machine provides a simple lever mechanism that provides two separate points of engagement between the door and the machine to resist tampering and provide for more even pull in of a gasketed door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Kenyon A. Hapke
  • Patent number: 7540176
    Abstract: Programmable electronically closing lock, with knob of the type which incorporates programmed electronic elements which make possible bidirectional communication between lock and key without contact between the two is disclosed. It consists of an electronic board (7) with a microcontroller (17) which controls its opening/closing and communicates with an antenna (8) built into a knob block, made up of a knob (3) joined permanently to a push button/mounting hole piece (5) which has an upper surface (s), lateral slots/guides (13) and a fixed knob guide (4) carrying the antenna (8) and in which the knob (3) moves up and down under the action of a coaxial spring (11) on the knob guide (4) and pins (14) of a tongue block (6) sliding on the slots (13) causing movement in the tongue block. The microcontroller (17) operates a bi-stable solenoid (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: OJMAR, S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Arriola Arrizabalaga, Iker Badiola Brenaga, Ana Viso Cabrera
  • Patent number: 7454933
    Abstract: A handle and housing assembly includes a housing having front and rear sides. A handle is connected on the front side of the housing to a shaft that extends through the housing along a forwardly-rearwardly extending axis. The handle may turn the shaft about the axis to turn components connected to a rear portion of the shaft, and/or the handle may move shaft-connected components forwardly and rearwardly along the axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, the housing defines a forwardly facing recess, and the handle is nestable within and extendable from the recess. In some embodiments, the handle and housing are provided with padlockable formations that extend side by side when the handle is in its nested or retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Paige, Lee S. Weinerman, Paul J. Wolos
  • Patent number: 7451628
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and closing a door of a glovebox mounted in an instrument panel. The apparatus includes a latch mounted to either the door or the instrument panel, a push button mounted to the other one of the door or the instrument panel, a rack bar connected to the push button and extending inward, a pinion engaged with the rack bar, and a link having a rack gear engaged with the pinion. The link is movable to lock and unlock the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20080264121
    Abstract: The door latch mechanism independently operated by first and second handles of the door handle assembly comprising a cam member having a cam surface which facilitates translation of movement of the handles to displacement of the cam member. The cam member can be coupled to a latch member and move the latch member between an extended and retracted position. A door lock mechanism can prevent displacement of the second door handle while simultaneously allowing displacement of the first door handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Neil L. Marko
  • Patent number: 7398664
    Abstract: A handle and housing assembly includes a housing having front and rear sides. A handle is connected on the front side of the housing to a shaft that extends through the housing along a forwardly-rearwardly extending axis. The handle may be used to turn the shaft, to turn components connected to a rear portion of the shaft, and/or to move shaft-connected components forwardly and rearwardly along the axis of the shaft. In some embodiments, the housing defines a forwardly facing recess, and the handle is nestable within and extendable from the recess. In some embodiments, the handle is nestable within the recess in a variety of orientations. In some embodiments, housing-defined stop formations limit the range through which a shaft-connected component is permitted to turn. In some embodiments, housing-defined formations guide movement of a lock bolt that may engage a shaft-connected component to retain the shaft, the handle and the shaft-connected component in one or a plurality of orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Lee S. Weinerman, Scott S. Kalanish
  • Patent number: 7387004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latch which must enable the locked mobile part (10) of a motor vehicle body to be released if necessary by means of a key-actuated closing cylinder (40), in order to manually open the mobile part (10). A handle (21) is provided on the mobile part (10) for the opening of the same (10), said handle being able to pivot in a vertical plane in relation to the vehicle body. When the handle is in its closed position (20.1), it is essentially flush with the vehicle body. In the outwardly pivoted open position, the handle can be gripped by a hand, also enabling the closing cylinder (40) to be accessed by the key. In order to provide the latch with a compact design, the handle (21) is embodied as a carrier for the closing cylinder (40) and forms a pivotable arrangement (20) therewith. A rotary coupling member (45) which can be actuated by the closing cylinder (40) is located on said arrangement (20) and participates in the pivoting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Schütz, Gerd Buschmann
  • Publication number: 20080134734
    Abstract: An opening and closing apparatus of a luggage compartment door of a vehicle includes: a case mounted to the door; a handle in the case; a rod connected to the handle; a first plate mounted to the case, and rotatable in response to movement of the rod; a first link, movable in response to rotation of the first plate to unlatch the door; and a keyhole in the case. The keyhole is rotatable between a locked state, in which the handle cannot move the rod, and an unlocked state, in which the handle can move the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Kyeong Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7383707
    Abstract: An storage locking apparatus including a case attached to an end edge of the storage, a locking member slidably supported by the case for engaging with and disengaging from the supporting member, a first urging member for always urging the locking member in a direction of the supporting member, an operating handle pivotably supported axially by the case for unlocking the storage by being pivoted from a side of the supporting member to a side of the storage, and lever mechanisms for sliding the locking member against the first urging member by pivoting the operating handle in which the supporting member dispenses with a containing portion in a recessed shape as in a prior art by providing an operating space between the supporting member and the operating handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Piolax, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamada, Toshihiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20080127690
    Abstract: A method of mounting a lock to a pick-up truck tailgate latching mechanism including the steps of locating targets for holes to be formed in a plastic bezel, the bezel carrying a handle for the tailgate, forming the holes in the plastic bezel, and securing the locking mechanism to the bezel via the formed holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 7380426
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lock assembly such as for use with enclosures and access panels. The lock assembly includes a keyhole shaped aperture in a slide portion of the locking assembly that cooperates with double-D shaped protrusions associated with a locking plug. In a locked position, the double-D shaped protrusions inhibit movement of the slide portion. In an unlocked position, the double-D shaped elements may enter a more narrow portion of the keyhole shaped aperture and permit movement of the slide. The slide is associated with additional features so that movement of the slide selectively inhibits or provides consequential movement of other elements that in turn respectively deny or create access to an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Dalton, Jr., Donald N. Hesprich
  • Patent number: 7363786
    Abstract: A locking assembly for a truck bed closure includes an internal frame mounting a slider having a vertical portion with a dog-receiving aperture, a disk rotation flange, a manual actuation flange and a motor-actuator flange, and a horizontal portion with a pair of keyhole apertures for receiving the mounting studs. a hollow lock cylinder bushing secured to the mounting plate internally and rotatably receives a shaft and a lock tumbler. Rotation of the shaft by turning an exterior handle unlatches the truck bed closure. The interior end of the tumbler mounts a locking dog. Pivoting of the lock tumbler rotates the locking dog to shift the slider between the locked and unlocked positions. A lock disk fixed to the shaft engages the slider in the locked position, preventing unlatching. An electric actuator can be connected to the slider, enabling shifting of the slider from a wired or wireless remote switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: David Jay TerHaar, David Lee TerHaar
  • Patent number: 7360381
    Abstract: A locking device for securing to a door or the like and including a rotatable knob adapted for mounting at a front surface of the door and having locked and unlocked positions, a locking member adapted for positioning at an opposite rear surface of the door and in alignment with the rotatable knob and a key-controlled lock supported at the front surface of the door and having locked and unlocked positions. The locking member includes a locking bar and an integral latch plate having a free end. The locking bar is for engagement with a door striker in the locked position. The key-controlled lock is spacedly disposed from the locking member and adapted for engaging, inside the door, with the free end of the latch plate. The key-controlled lock, in its locked position, engages with the latch plate to prevent rotation of the rotatable knob, and in its unlocked position, disengages from the latch plate to enable rotation of the rotatable knob from its locked position to its unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Compu-Guard, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Leite
  • Patent number: 7360802
    Abstract: A compression latch with a folding handle for selectively holding a door closed, includes. The latch includes a housing with a cup portion for receiving the handle in the folded down position such that the projection of the latch handle above the exterior surface of the door is minimized in the folded-down position. The handle functions to move a pawl in a combination of rotational and rectilinear movements as the pawl is moved between latched and unlatched positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Schlack, Frederick H. Stilwell, D. Dale Turner, David C. Milne, Jeffrey L. Antonucci