Axially Movable Clutch Patents (Class 70/223)
  • Patent number: 6684672
    Abstract: A cylindrical lock arrangement of the kind having a cylindrical housing attached to a door and a lock cylinder with lever tumblers provided to cooperate with a lock device, whereby the lock device is arranged to be actuated via a carrier provided to the cylinder lock. The invention has a connection device for transmission of force from the lock cylinder to the carrier is provided to be axially displaced in relation to the lock cylinder from a neutral position and in direction towards this during rotation of the lock cylinder with a fitting key. The connection device is provided to be brought to an active position in friction engagement with the carrier not until after the axial displacement from the neutral position, after which locking and unlocking respectively of the lock device is performed by further rotation of the lock cylinder by means of the key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB
    Inventors: Stig Hermansson, Helmut Ponn
  • Patent number: 6675616
    Abstract: An internal locking device adapted for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility to lock the magazine doors and secure the facility. The internal locking device use a dual key and key guides for key insertion and for reduction of key breakage. The internal locking device includes a pair of locking bolts which when dis-engaged from the output shaft by an operator rotating the keys allows the operator turn handle which turns the output shaft for the device unlocking the magazine doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Craig H. Horton
  • Patent number: 6666056
    Abstract: An internal locking device adapted for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility to lock the magazine doors and secure the facility. The internal locking device use a single key and key guide for key insertion and for reduction of key breakage. The internal locking device includes a locking bolt which when dis-engaged from the output shaft by an operator rotating the key allows the operator turn handle which turns the output shaft for the device unlocking the magazine doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Craig H. Horton
  • Patent number: 6662604
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for vehicle steering mechanism, such as a steering shaft or a transmission rod, having a rotatable shaft. The anti-theft device has a fixing member fixed on the vehicle body, a connecting member joined with a steering handle, a locking member controlled by code device, a movable member provided on the rotatable shaft, for moving along the shaft but not rotatable around it. The movable member can move between a first position and a second position under the control of the locking member. When in the first position the movable member is engaged with the fixing member while disengaged with the connecting member so that the shaft can not rotate. When in the second position, the movable member is engaged with the connecting member while disengaged with the fixing member so that the shaft can rotate. The anti-theft device according to the invention has double functions of disconnecting transmission of steering force as well as locking the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Songyan Zhang
  • Patent number: 6640594
    Abstract: An improved electronic lock requires a low power and consumes less electricity including an outer frame, an inner frame, a lock axle unit and a power unit. The outer frame is fastened to the outer side of a lock stile of a door. The outer frame has an outer handle, a keypad and a key way located on the exterior, and has the interior for housing the lock axle unit and the power unit to couple with the inner frame. The power unit includes a motor, a spring, a sleeve, a sliding plate and a retain plate. The power unit is coupled with a L-shaped lever to generate lever movements. Users may enter an electronic password to activate the motor to perform locking and unlocking function. The construction greatly reduces electric power: consumption of batteries, and lowers electric voltage, and increase the durability of the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Shyang Feng Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Celina Yao
  • Patent number: 6615630
    Abstract: A door lock includes an outside spindle tube, an insert tube which is disposed inside the outside spindle tube and which has a latch operating tab, and a clutch member disposed inside the insert tube and having first and second axial grooves. The clutch member is movable axially between a first position, in which the first axial groove engages a first engaging member projecting inwardly from the outside spindle tube, and a second position, in which the first axial groove disengages from the first engaging member. The insert tube does not engage the first engaging member of the outside spindle tube, but has a second engaging member in engagement with the second axial groove of the clutch member. When the door lock is placed in a locking position by pressing an inside press button of the door lock, the spindle shaft connected with the press button moves the clutch member to the second position, thereby permitting the outside spindle tube to turn independently of the insert tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tong-Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rong-Faa Wu, Kun-Chen Tsai, Po-Yang Chen
  • Patent number: 6575006
    Abstract: A lock comprising a locking mechanism and a sleeve disk assembly, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: a housing assembly; an outside actuation tube; a key actuation tube; a transmission element; a spring; an outside holding sleeve; a knob rod; when the transmission element is pushed by the knob rod to the first axial position within the key actuation tube, the rotation of the outside actuation tube rotates the outside holding sleeve and the key actuation tube; when the transmission element is at the second axial position within the key actuation tube, the rotation of the outside actuation tube does not rotate the key actuation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Tung Lung Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lan-Kun Don
  • Patent number: 6532779
    Abstract: A lockset assembly comprises an inner handle assembly, a chassis, a latch assembly, an outer spindle, an outer handle assembly of cylinder type, and an outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type. One of the outer handle assembly of cylinder type and the outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type is releasably engaged with the outer spindle to allow an interchange between a cylinder and an interchangeable core via an interchange between the outer handle assembly of cylinder type and the outer handle assembly of interchangeable core type without the need of replacement of a whole lockset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 6527314
    Abstract: Clutch handle apparatus for opening doors and the like includes a torque limiting clutch subassembly which selectively disengages the handle from a spindle to prevent damage. The clutch subassembly includes a slip clutch removably coupled to a spindle pin allowing corotation of the handle and the spindle below the application of a predetermined torque, and free rotation of the handle with respect to the spindle by uncoupling the pin and the slip clutch at and above the application of a predetermined of torque to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Jackson Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Edward Brown
  • Patent number: 6517127
    Abstract: In an electric door lock, a spindle with a manually operable rotary knob is connected operably to a dead bolt, and has a spindle coupling plate sleeved non-rotatably thereon, and a gear plate unit sleeved rotatably thereon. The spindle coupling plate is provided with a ball member which is biased to project from the spindle coupling plate and engage one of a plurality of angularly displaced ball recesses formed in the gear plate unit. An electric driving motor has a transmission shaft engaging the gear plate unit. The ball member disengages the spindle coupling plate from the gear plate unit when the rotary knob is operated to rotate the spindle and the spindle coupling plate. The motor is operable to rotate the gear plate unit which rotates the spindle coupling plate by virtue of the engagement between the ball member and the ball recesses, thereby resulting in co-rotation of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: Chao-Jung Lu, Yung-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 6334348
    Abstract: An electronic lock which cannot be easily tampered with by using a strong magnet. It includes: (a) a housing; (b) an electromagnetic element disposed in the housing and provided in the center thereof with a receiving slot and a hole penetrating through the receiving slot; (c) an elastic element disposed in the receiving slot of the electromagnetic element; (d) an actuation block provided with an arresting ring, a protruded pillar which is fitted into the elastic element and the hole of the electromagnetic element; (d) a connection shaft coupled at one end thereof with the actuation block; (e) an action piece mounted on the connection shaft and located outside the actuation block and the electromagnetic element; and (f) a handle having a rotary shaft fastened pivotally with the connection shaft. The action piece is attracted towards the electromagnetic element and abuts against an end of the arresting ring when the electromagnetic element is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Summit Automation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen Ming-Chih
  • Patent number: 6216500
    Abstract: A device for unlocking a tubular-type door lock in conjunction with the indoor handle is disclosed. A hollow shaft is fitted into the outdoor plate, while a hollow sleeve is axially received in the hollow shaft to be movable in opposite directions. The sleeve is normally and rotatably positioned in the opening of the outdoor plate to be unlocked, but selectively engages with the locking slot of the outdoor plate to be locked. A ratchet unit, consisting of locking and unlocking ratchets, is received in the sleeve, thus being operable in conjunction with the indoor handle to selectively move the sleeve. The two ratchets, individually having a ratchet face, engage with each other at their ratchet faces to be relatively slidable on their slope surfaces in conjunction with the indoor handle, thus selectively and axially moving the sleeve from the locked to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eui Shik Kang
  • Patent number: 6205827
    Abstract: A torque isolation system includes a handle and a torque isolator that is moveable between a first position, wherein the torque isolator transmits either of two possible directions of torque from the handle to a rotatable regulator stem, and a second position, wherein the torque isolator transmits only one or neither of the two possible directions of torque from the handle to the regulator stem. The torque isolation system also includes a lock securing the torque isolator in a selected position. The second position may be either a decoupled position, wherein the torque isolator transmits neither of the two possible directions of torque from the handle to the regulator stem, or a ratchet position, wherein the torque isolator does not transmit a first direction of torque from the handle to the regulator stem, but the torque isolator does transmit a second direction of torque from the handle to the regulator stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Safety Valve Systems, LLC
    Inventor: James N. Lane
  • Patent number: 6189351
    Abstract: A door lock having a clutching mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the outer handle of the lock from a key spindle having latch scoops for operably engaging a latch slide. The key spindle contains a cam mechanism for moving a dogging arm from a clutched position where the outer handle through a keyed outer spindle is keyed to the key spindle to an unclutched position where the dogging arm is positioned within a circumferentially extending slot which permits about 60° rotation of the outer handle relative to the key spindle without movement of the key spindle. Hard stops are provided on an outer driver and outer hub which limit movement of the outer handle to less than the rotation permitted by the clutching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: Bruce P. Eagan, James J. Legner, Dario Pompeii
  • Patent number: 6158259
    Abstract: A lock cylinder having a housing (2) and mounted rotatably therein a lock member (4), and having a driving shaft (9) for driving the lock member (4) includes a central element (17) which in turn includes electrical conductors passing right through the driving shaft (9) and the lock member (4) in the form of an operative connection from one side of the cylinder to the other existing independently of operation of the lock member. The central element (17) in the form of a rigid body is connected non-rotatably at each end (17', 17") to a respective unit carrier (12, 18), especially for electronic units. The driving shaft (9) is arranged to be coupled via a coupling (K) with the lock member (4) in a position so that they rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Schmitz, Harald Ruprecht
  • Patent number: 6105407
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a tube received in an outer handle and a first driving tube is rotatably received in the tube. The tube has a cruciform groove defined through the wall thereof and a driving disk is movably received in the first driving tube has two slots with two protrusions of the driving disk extends through the two slots. An inner handle has an actuating plate extending therethrough which is fixedly connected to the driving disk so that when locking the lock assembly by pushing the lock button, one of the protrusions of the driving disk is moved to be received in the transverse portion of the cruciform groove so that the handles are allowed to rotate a larger rotational angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shyang Feng Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Celina Yao
  • Patent number: 6101856
    Abstract: A free-wheeling lock mechanism for a cylindrical door lock includes inner and outer spindles directly connected to corresponding inner and outer lever handles, a latch retractor located between the spindles and a cylindrical outer cam located within the outer spindle. The outer cam has an ear on its perimeter that moves from a forward to a rearward position as the outer cam is rotated to operate the latch retractor. A cylindrical locking plug is located within the outer cam and has an outwardly projecting finger that connects and disconnects the outer cam from the outer spindle to lock and unlock the mechanism as the locking plug slides axially relative to the outer cam. In the unlocked position the finger projects outwardly through a slot in the outer cam into a longitudinally oriented portion of a T-shaped slot in the spindle. In the locked position the finger projects outwardly through the outer cam slot into a circumferential portion of the spindle slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Pelletier, Ronald S. Slusarski, David A. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6085561
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a tube received in an outer handle and a first driving tube is rotatably received in the tube. The tube has a cruciform groove defined through the wall thereof and a driving disk is movably received in the first driving tube and has two slots with two protrusions of the driving disk extending through the two slots. An inner handle has an actuating plate extending therethrough which is fixedly connected to the driving disk so that when locking the lock assembly by pushing the lock button, one of the protrusions of the driving disk is moved to be received in the transverse portion of the cruciform groove so that the handles are allowed to rotate a larger rotational angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Shyang Feng Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Celina Yao
  • Patent number: 6059326
    Abstract: A simple and low cost locking mechanism that is unlocked by a simply configured key while protecting against tampering through limited access and unique geometry. Access is limited by a spin bushing that guards access to a cam twister having a keyhole with a unique star geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Inventor: Paul F. Tramontina
  • Patent number: 6041630
    Abstract: A lock includes an inner handle having a locking bar received therein and an outer handle connected to a spindle with a retaining base received therein which has two first grooves defined therein. A cam is connected to the retaining base and has two second grooves which communicate with the first grooves so that a locking piece is movably received between the retaining base and the cam with a spring biased between the locking piece and the retaining base. The locking piece has two flanges movably received in the first grooves and the second grooves. A slide is movably received in the cam and contact the locking piece at one end thereof and the locking bar at the other end thereof so that the two flanges of the locking piece are disengaged from the second grooves when the locking bar is pushed. Therefore, the outer handle can be freely rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 6038895
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle latch system has a latch having a locking element displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position and a latching element actuatable in the unlocked condition of the latch to unlock the latch and ineffective when actuated in the locked condition of the latch. An outside door handle connected to the latching element is movable between an actuated position and an unactuated position and a key having a transponder can fit in a rotatable body carrying an electrically powered transponder reader that can read a code of the transponder of the key. An electrically powered electromagnetic coupling has one part connected to the body and another part connected to the locking lever and can be energized to close and couple the two parts together and thereby connect the body with the locking lever. An electrically powered controller connected to the transponder reader and the coupling can energize and close the coupling when the transponder in the key matches a predetermined code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Johannes-Theodor Menke, Klaus-Peter Reis
  • Patent number: 6021654
    Abstract: A driver element in this lock has two outer surface sections. The first of the sections has a first geometrical cross-sectional configuration which engages an outer lever spindle in both the locked and unlocked condition. In the unlocked condition the first section also engages an outer driver spindle which rotates with the outer lever handle and outer lever spindle and engages the latch retraction structure for retraction of the latch. In the locked position, a push button on the inner handle pushes the driver such that a second section of the outer surface of the driver is aligned with the outer drive spindle and the second section is free of driving engagement with the outer driver spindle such that operation of the latch is prevented when the outer lever handle is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: NT Falcon Lock
    Inventor: Eugene S. McCaa
  • Patent number: 5992189
    Abstract: A driver element in this lock has two outer surface sections. The first of the sections has a first geometrical cross-sectional configuration which engages an outer lever spindle in both the locked and unlocked condition. In the unlocked condition the first section also engages an outer driver spindle which rotates with the outer lever handle and outer lever spindle and engages the latch retraction structure for retraction of the latch. In the locked position, a push button on the inner handle pushes the driver such that a second section of the outer surface of the driver is aligned with the outer drive spindle and the second section is free of driving engagement with the outer driver spindle such that operation of the latch is prevented when the outer lever handle is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: NT Falcon Lock
    Inventor: Eugene S. McCaa
  • Patent number: 5974912
    Abstract: A door lock unlockable electro-magnetically and with a key consists of an inner plate, a control device, a drive mechanism, a housing, a handle and a locking mechanism. The control device has a control block engaging a post of the inner plate, and the control block has an outer end engageable with the drive mechanism. An IC key card can power the control device to unlock the door lock, and a key can also be used to rotate the locking mechanism for rotating the drive mechanism which moves inward to engage the control block of the control device. Then the handle can be rotated to rotate the shaft of a deadbolt to disengage from a deadbolt hole in a door frame to unlock the door lock for preventing from being unlocked by prying or breaking said lock mechanism illegally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Tung-Chi Cheng, Jui-Hua Chang
  • Patent number: 5960656
    Abstract: An electronic lock according to the present invention can be used to open the door by the electronic codes and the key such that when the electronic codes fail due to the power supply being not enough, the key can be used to open the door. The electronic lock can also be used to open the door by the key when the electronic codes fail or when the user forgets the code numbers. In addition, it is easy to replace the cells of the electronic lock. Further, the electronic lock can be fitted on the right side of the door and can also be fitted on the left side of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Shyang Feng Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Celina Yao
  • Patent number: 5934117
    Abstract: A freewheeling clutching design for enabling a freewheeling movement of an outer door handle with respect to a latch assembly of a lock when the lock is in a locked state. A clutch column is axially movable to engage with or disengage from a latch assembly by way of turning a control member which simultaneously moves axially. The outer door-handle performs a normal operation of opening a door when the clutch column engages the latch assembly, while it performs the freewheel turning movement to prevent an undesirable transfer of force to internal components of the lock when the clutch column engages the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 5916281
    Abstract: A lockset is provided for use in a door. The lockset includes a lock core, a body mounted on the door, a door handle mounted on the body, a locking-unlocking mechanism, and a throw member mounted for rotation with the lock core. The locking-unlocking mechanism locks and unlocks the lockset in response to rotation of the key within the lock core. The throw member includes an outer perimeter edge, a blade extending toward the locking-unlocking mechanism, and a channel extending around the outer perimeter edge. The body also includes a pin that extends into the channel so that when a key is rotated in the lock core, the lock core and throw member rotate relative to the pin. This rotation causes the throw member to move from an inactive position disengaged from the locking-unlocking mechanism to an active position where the blade engages the locking-unlocking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Best Lock Corporation
    Inventors: Steve A. Kester, Scott A. Gilbertson, John W. McIntire
  • Patent number: 5904232
    Abstract: A clutch assembly enabling a free turn of an outer handle of a door with respect to a latch assembly of a lock is able to allow the outer handle to rotate to open a door when the door is unlocked and to rotate freely when the door is locked, so that internal mechanism will not be damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Mu-Lin Shen
  • Patent number: 5884515
    Abstract: An electric clutch system for a mortise-type security lock is provided. The clutch system includes one or more magnets disposed in one hub of a mortise-type lock. The magnet is recessed and disposed below the interior surface of the hub that engages the opposing hub of the mortise-type lock. The opposing hub includes one or more spring-biased armatures. Upon the application of current to the magnet, the armature is drawn toward the magnet resulting in a coupling-type connection between the two hubs so that rotation of the exterior handle will open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: ILCO Unican Corp.
    Inventor: Sheldon Milman
  • Patent number: 5868018
    Abstract: A door lock comprises: a spindle with projections; a bushing having grooves which mate with the projections of the spindle, and a key groove on one side thereof; an inside inner spindle with two fitting grooves, which is inserted into the spindle and rotates by an operation shaft of a key box; a locking spring which is inserted into the inside inner spindle; an inside outer spindle which is inserted, spaced a short distance from the inside inner spindle, having two guide apertures, a latch operation projection with an operation groove, and two fitting projections on its front end, which are fitted in the fitting grooves; a support washer which is inserted into the inside of the inside outer spindle; a spindle spring which is supported by the support washer; an operation disk with two guide projections which are inserted into the guide apertures of the inside outer spindle; and an operation key which is inserted into the key groove of the bushing so that its front end is inserted into the operation groove of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundae Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eui Shik Kang
  • Patent number: 5829281
    Abstract: A protector block is movable in a direction in which a key K can be inserted, and first engaging portions which engage each other when the protector block is pushed in are formed between the protector block and an outer lock cylinder. A crankshaft is movable in the direction in which the key K can be inserted, and second engaging portions which engage each other when the crankshaft is pushed in are formed between the crankshaft and the outer lock cylinder. When an object in place of a key is inserted into a key insertion hole and attempts are made to forcibly turn the object while pushing the object, the first engaging portions between the protector block and the outer lock cylinder engage each other, preventing the crankshaft from being turned. When attempts are made to turn an inserted object while pulling the object, the second engaging portions between the crankshaft and the outer lock cylinder engage each other, preventing the crankshaft from being turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Yamashita, Yoshiyuki Nakajima, Yoshifumi Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 5816086
    Abstract: A door lock device has an inside handle assembly and an outside handle assembly. A latch is positioned between the two handle assemblies and there is a spindle which is in rotatable engagement with both handle assemblies and in operable engagement with the latch such that rotation of either handle assembly moves the latch between extended and retracted positions. The inside handle assembly includes an axially movable locking element. A turn bar extends within the spindle and is connected to the locking element. Axial movement of the locking element causes rotation of the turn bar with rotation of the turn bar releasing the spindle from engagement with the outside handle assembly whereby rotation of the outside handle assembly will not rotate the spindle nor move the latch between extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventor: Charles G. Russell, IV
  • Patent number: 5809815
    Abstract: A lever lock assembly includes an interior handle assembly, an exterior handle assembly, a latch assembly, and a controlling assembly. When in a latched position, rotation of an exterior lever of the exterior handle assembly is a free rotation, thereby avoiding forcible unlatching by burglars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing
    Inventor: Chih-Hsing Lee
  • Patent number: 5794472
    Abstract: A cylindrical lock is provided for use in a door containing a latch bolt supported for movement between an extended door-latching position and a retracted door-unlatching position. The door further includes a latch bolt retractor assembly connected to the latch bolt and movable relative to the door to move the latch bolt between the extended door-latching position and the retracted door-unlatching position. The cylindrical lock includes a hub, a door handle, a spindle, and a locking lug. The hub is adapted to mount in a fixed position on the door and is formed to include a first hub slot and a second hub slot communicating with the first hub slot. The door handle is mounted for rotation relative the hub. The spindle is coupled to the door handle and is formed to include a spindle slot defined by spaced-apart driving surfaces. The locking lug is movable between a first position fixing the spindle and hub together and a second position uncoupling the spindle and hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Best Lock Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Kester, Scott A. Gilbertson, John W. McIntire, Ralph P. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5791177
    Abstract: An electronic cylinder lock, including: a generally cylindrical housing having substantially open and closed ends; a barrel member coaxial with and rotatable within the generally cylindrical housing and having receiving apparatus defined at a first end thereof for the insertion into the receiving apparatus of key apparatus, engagement of the receiving apparatus and the key apparatus permitting the barrel member to be manually rotated; shaft apparatus coaxial with the generally cylindrical housing and extending through an opening defined through the substantially closed end, the shaft apparatus having a head end disposed within the generally cylindrical housing and a threaded end extending externally from the substantially closed end for the attachment to the threaded end of locking/unlocking apparatus; a bar at least partially disposed within the head end such that rotation of the bar causes rotation of the shaft apparatus, the bar being axially moveable within the generally cylindrical housing, and the bar b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: James S. Bianco
  • Patent number: 5784909
    Abstract: A tubular lock assembly includes an inner handle, an outer handle, and a control mechanism. An outer protective cover is mounted to the outer side of the door plate and includes a pair of notches defined therein. The control mechanism includes a tubular shaft, a latch plate including a pair of protrusions formed on a mediate portion thereof, and a stop plate including two teeth. The tubular shaft includes a first end securely attached to the inner handle to rotate therewith and a second end. Two blocks are formed on the second end of the tubular shaft and have an operative recess defined therebetween. The teeth of the stop plate are received in the notches of the outer protective cover when the tubular lock assembly is in a locked position, and rotation of the inner handle in either direction causes the protrusions to be received in the operative recess of the tubular shaft such that the teeth of the stop plate disengage from the notches of the outer protective cover for unlatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lan Shi Huang
  • Patent number: 5651280
    Abstract: An improved door lock is disclosed whereby the application of excessive force on the door handle will not cause a malfunction of the door lock and will not cause damage to the internal working features of the door lock. The door lock includes an outer rose spindle assembly, having an inner and an outer spindle, wherein the two spindle portions are releasably connected by a plurality of complementary pins and dints. Upon the application of excessive force on the door handle, the pins are released from the dints such that the force is not further transmitted to sequential features of the lock body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Dusan Metals, Inc.
    Inventor: Jung Woo Park
  • Patent number: 5556144
    Abstract: An auxiliary door latch includes a lock device for locking the auxiliary door latch from inside of the door panel so as to prevent the door panel from opening from outside of the door panel. The auxiliary door latch includes a knob having a tube extended inwards of the door panel, and a rod slidably engaged in the tube and having a pair of legs. The tube includes a pair of slots for engaging with the legs of the rod. The rod is depressed inwards of the knob so as to prevent the rod from rotational movement and so as to lock the auxiliary door latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 5437350
    Abstract: This assembly includes a steering shaft (101) which can move in rotation in a column body (102) and includes an anti-theft bolt (104) mechanism (103) which can move between a retracted position and an active anti-theft position. The shaft includes two shaft portions (105, 106), one (105) carrying a steering wheel and the other (106) being connected to the rest of a vehicle steering mechanism. The portions are connected by a disengagable linkage mechanism (108) which can move, under the control of the anti-theft mechanism, between an active position for coupling the two shaft portions and a retracted anti-theft position freeing the two shaft portions from each other so that the shaft portion (105) carrying the steering wheel can rotate freely with respect to the other shaft portion (106). The corresponding end zones (105a, 106a) of the shaft portions are arranged one around the other, and the disengagable linkage mechanism (108) is mounted so as to move around the shaft portion carrying the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: ECIA - Equipment et Composants pour l'Industrie Automobile
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Sallez, Andre Hoblingre, Christian Henigue
  • Patent number: 5388434
    Abstract: A theft prevention device for use in the mounting of automotive audio equipment, such as a two-way radio to a secure structure, such as a "U" bracket or trunnion. The invention is a generally conical-shaped mounting knob that threadably attaches the audio equipment to the mounting bracket. Attached to one end of the knob enclosure is a key lock and attached to the opposite end is a threaded stud that is able to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the enclosure. In operation, the knob, in its unlocked position, is rotated clockwise until the threaded stud is securely attached to its threaded counterpart on the radio. In this position, the lock assembly rotates a cam plate so that an engaging disc engages both the knob enclosure and a stud plate allowing torque applied to the enclosure to be transferred to the threaded stud. The knob is then locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Relm Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Kalis
  • Patent number: 5372025
    Abstract: An outer handle of a door lock includes a tube extended inward of the door, a lock disposed in the tube, a stub fixed on one end of a shaft and having a square section and a circular section, a cylinder rotatably received in the tube and coupled to the lock and including two pairs of notches of different depth, a board engaged with either of the sections. The shaft can be rotated by the outer handle when the board is engaged with the square section of the stub and can not be rotated when the board is engaged with the circular section. The stub can be rotated by the shaft when the board is engaged with either of the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Jui-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 5345797
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for a motor vehicle comprises a steering wheel 10 having a centre boss 12 mounting the steering wheel onto a steering column 11. The boss is slidable axially of the steering column between a first position in which complementary splines 14/15 on the steering column and boss engage each other to secure the steering wheel and steering column for co-rotation and a second position in which the splines are disengaged so that the steering wheel is freely rotatable on the steering column. A lock 21 can secure the steering wheel in a selected one of the first and second axial positions by engaging in a groove 17 or 18 in the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Robert J. McGrath
    Inventor: John Hayes
  • Patent number: 5263348
    Abstract: A cylinder lock for use in motor vehicles and elsewhere has a case for a rotatable and axially movable sleeve-like guide which receives a rotatable cylinder having a keyhole and being locked to the guide by tumblers when the key is withdrawn. A detent is installed between the case and the guide to normally prevent rotation of the guide except when the guide is acted upon by a large force which causes it to deactivate the detent as a result of certain axial movement of the guide and cylinder in the case. A clutch between the cylinder and a motion transmitting element for a bolt of the lock is engaged as long as the detent is operative but is disengaged not later than when the detent permits the guide to turn in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Wittwer
  • Patent number: 5157952
    Abstract: A tubular door lock having a kind of structure, wherein locking the lock by an inner knob is accomplished by first pressing and subsequent rotating of said knob, and unlocking by said knob can be done only be rotating of said knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Inventor: Jui C. Lin
  • Patent number: 5044183
    Abstract: A lock mechanism comprises a housing and a rotor mounted within a bore of the housing having a skirt, the rotor and skirt being rotatable by a knob. A lock opening and closing lever is rotatable between locking and unlocking positions and a rod is drivably connected to the lock opening and closing lever and serves for connection to a latching device.A securing and release lever drivably connected with the rotor through a drive tang and a slot permitting lost motion is movable by an actuator independently of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Neiman S. A.
    Inventor: Guy Neyret
  • Patent number: 5005723
    Abstract: A locking spout closure cap is set forth provided with a threaded cylindrical lowermost portion with a cap mounted about the uppermost portion. Underlying the cap are plural pairs of combination dials provided with operative engagement with downwardly extending positioning legs. The combination dials are mounted about posts with an alignment plate operably secured to the posts wherein each of the combination dials must be rotated into alignment to position each respective positioning leg in overlying engagement with a predetermined orientation of latch openings secured to a combination plate to enable operative engagement with the uppermost portion of the combination plate to enable securement or removal of the cap relative to an associated spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Inventor: Lambert L. Smallfoot
  • Patent number: 5000018
    Abstract: Hardware, in particular for doors or the like, includes a push pin which can be coupled by key-card insertion with an actuating knob. In order to obtain increased possibilities of use, without reduction of locking security, a coupling is actuatable by means of an electromagnetic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Schulte-Schlagbaum Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Armin Eisermann
  • Patent number: 4916926
    Abstract: A locking apparatus includes a following member secured to a pivotal axis, a braking piece capable of preventing the member from rotating in a first direction in a first position and of freeing the member in a second position, and a locking device having a tumbler body capable of engaging with the piece in the manner that the braking piece is in the first position when the locking device is in a locking state and when in an unlocking state, the tumbler body can urge the piece to be in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Jin R. Shieh
  • Patent number: 4901544
    Abstract: A steering shaft assembly being composed of an upper part and a lower part. The lower part is cylindrical in shape and is rotatably received by a cylindrical outer housing with the upper part fixedly secured thereabove on the outer housing. The lower part is integral with a steering shaft. An engaging block assembly is freely rotatable and is longitudinally slidable within the steering shaft assembly between an upper limit position and a lower limit position. The engaging block assembly comprises an engaging block and an actuating block. A number of balls are disposed between the steering shaft assembly and the engaging block assembly as well as between the engaging block and the actuating block for transmitting rotational movement. A steering wheel is fixedly mounted on the engaging block assembly by a lock assembly which further controls releasing and engaging between the engaging block assembly and the steering shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Inventor: Jaw J. Jang
  • Patent number: 4854143
    Abstract: A bolt assembly (21) including a movable bolt (34) and a user manipulatable bolt displacement assembly is disclosed. The bolt displacement assembly moves the bolt (34) between a locked and an unlocked position. The bolt displacement assembly includes a user manipulated handle (37), a torque transfer assembly (b 38) and an electromagnet (39). Handle (37) is mounted on an exterior side (36) of the bolt assembly (21) and is freely movable without coupling of the handle (37) to displace the bolt (34). Torque transfer assembly (38) in the form of a rocker arm (63) is mounted for movement in response to movement of the handle (37) and moves to and from a torque transmitting position during at least part of the movement cycle of the handle (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Intelock Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Corder, John F. Stewart