For Automotive Vehicles Patents (Class 70/237)
  • Patent number: 12151730
    Abstract: A vehicle cart assembly includes a cart that has a panel and a plurality of rollers rotatably disposed on the panel. A ramp is hingedly attached to the panel to facilitate a tire of a vehicle to roll onto the cart. A first pressure sensor is integrated into the ramp which is engaged by the tire of the vehicle when the tire of the vehicle rolls onto the ramp. A second pressure sensor is integrated into the panel to be engaged by the tire of the vehicle when the tire of the vehicle rolls onto the panel. A visual alert is removably attached to the panel which is turned on when the first pressure sensor is engaged to alert a driver that the tire of the vehicle has begun rolling onto the ramp. The visual alert is turned off when the second pressure sensor is engaged to alert the driver that the tire has rolled onto the panel thereby alerting the driver to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Inventor: Marlin Bedford
  • Patent number: 12134921
    Abstract: A method, system and device for controlling a front compartment lid of a vehicle includes a way of opening or closing of the lid of a front compartment of a vehicle via door handle of the vehicle. The system includes a control unit of the vehicle, a front compartment with a lid with electrically controlled locking and/or opening mechanism and at least one vehicle door handle, and a logical block configured to monitor a status of vehicle door handle by a sensor for position of door handle between open position and closed position; monitor the locking status of the locking and/or opening mechanism; and, in case of matching vehicle door handle sensor data with a preset threshold value, and depending on the current locking status of the front compartment lid, generate a control signal to the locking and/or opening mechanism of the front compartment lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: ENHANCE Ltd
    Inventor: Dimitar Nikolov Stoimenov
  • Patent number: 12115930
    Abstract: A stealthy transmission shift interlock solenoid kill switch system includes a first stealthy user interface being located within the vehicle and further being configured to be stealthy and hidden from a vehicle driver's line of sight, a vehicle center console transmission gear shift knob configured to operate an automatic transmission gear position of the vehicle, a vehicle power interrupt feature, an automatic transmission shift interlock solenoid switch, a controller being operably coupled to the first stealthy user interface, a brake pedal of the vehicle, and the vehicle power interrupt feature. The controller is configured to manage an operating mode of the vehicle center console transmission gear shift knob and thereby prohibit power from reaching the automatic transmission shift interlock solenoid switch so that the vehicle center console transmission gear shift knob is prohibited from being displaced out of a park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Inventor: Darrell F. Glover
  • Patent number: 12037812
    Abstract: A lock core structure composed of a lock core seat, a lock core shell, a push plate, lock plates, washers, a positioning plate, a latch lever, a brake bolt plate pushed by a compression spring, a positioning baffle, and a retaining ring. An accommodating chamber of the seat is provided with an accommodating groove, a ring groove, a shaft hole and a groove, an inner bottom surface of the shell is provided with a slide groove for disposing the push plate, the brake bolt plate is provided in the accommodating groove, and provided with a pivot shaft disposed in the shaft hole, the positioning baffle is provided in the chamber and provided with a first baffle corresponding to an embedding groove of the seat, and a second baffle corresponding to the accommodating groove and the groove, and the retaining ring is embedded in the ring groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Inventor: Yu-Pin Lin
  • Patent number: 11964628
    Abstract: A multi-lock vehicle theft prevention system and device are provided. The system may include an electronic device in communication with a wireless network and a multi-lock vehicle theft prevention device for use with a vehicle. The device may include a major cover and a minor cover. The first cover and the second cover may be configured to encircle a control housing, or other portion of a vehicle or other possession, positioned between the first cover and second cover and a lock bar may be configured to removably couple the first cover and second cover together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Gary Morphy
  • Patent number: 11939799
    Abstract: A door handle device for a vehicle includes a handle base, an operation handle, first and second link members disposed at an interval and rotatably pin-connected to the handle base respectively, and an electric actuator configured to rotatably drive the first link member. The operation handle is connected to the handle base so as to be able to protrude from an initial position to a use position. The operation handle is rotatably connected to end portions of the first and second link members. The handle base, the first and second link members, and the operation handle form a link mechanism in which the operation handle at the use position maintains a posture parallel to the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Toyama
  • Patent number: 11845411
    Abstract: An active brake locking system has one or more valves in communication with an existing hydraulic vehicle system; one or more actuators controlling operation of the one or more valves; and a power source electrically connected to one or more processors and a media storage device, wherein the one or more actuators control a flow of fluids within the existing vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Frawley, Steven James Kirby
  • Patent number: 11667265
    Abstract: A controller of a vehicle detects persons that are approaching the vehicle and uses sensors to collect data regarding the persons to determine whether a security risk exists. In one approach, the collected data is used to determine whether each person is associated with the vehicle. In response to determining that at least one of the persons is unknown, a security risk is evaluated based on data from monitoring of the environment of the vehicle. In response to determining that a security risk score exceeds a threshold, one or more actions for the vehicle are performed to make the vehicle more secure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Richard Noel Bielby
  • Patent number: 11619075
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism that consists essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl. The lock also comprises a pawl spring for action on the pawl in the closing direction. The motor vehicle door lock further comprises an actuating lever for opening the locking mechanism. The actuating lever is additionally designed to act upon the pawl spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Andrzej Grzonka
  • Patent number: 11585126
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock structure includes: a housing; an active lever supported by the housing to be displaceable relative to the housing between locked position where the active lever prohibits opening of a vehicle door by a door opening operation of a door operation handle provided on the vehicle door and an unlocked position where the active lever allows the opening of the vehicle door by the door opening operation of the door operation handle; and a spring configured to selectively hold the active lever at either the locked or unlocked position. The housing includes a held portion held by the spring. The spring includes: locked-position and unlocked-position holders respectively holding the held portion such that the active lever is held at the locked and unlocked positions. The active lever includes a spring holder that holds the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Yamada, Masanari Iwata, Yoshiki Odaka
  • Patent number: 11584450
    Abstract: An assembly for securing a tailgate to a cargo bed includes, among other things, a strap having a first leg spaced from a second leg, and a fastener moveable to an engaged position with the strap. The fastener in the engaged position extends through a first aperture in the first leg to threadably engage a second aperture in the second leg. When the fastener is in the engaged position, the fastener and the strap are configured to secure a tailgate to a cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Wilson, Jessica Lee Dzurnak, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Patent number: 11339584
    Abstract: In an outer handle device for a vehicle door, a handle lever is operatively linked to an outer handle, the handle lever being driven by an electric actuator so that the outer handle is pivoted from a housed position to a pop-up position. A restriction device operates so as to follow movement of the handle lever toward a side that goes away from an initial position when the handle lever is driven by the electric actuator so that the outer handle is pivoted from the housed position toward the pop-up position side, the restriction device restricting return of the handle lever to the initial position side from a maximum operated position of the handle lever toward the side that goes away from the initial position. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the outer handle from rattling, thereby enabling marketability to be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventor: Hiroto Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11280116
    Abstract: A latch assembly is provided with a child lock mechanism having a spring system including a first spring member and a separate second spring member that requires a first force to move the child lock mechanism from an off position to an on position and a second force to move the child lock mechanism from the on position to the off position, wherein the required second force is greater than the required first force, thereby indicating to a user by tactile feedback the relative position (on/off) the child lock mechanism is in, thereby assuring intended movement of the child lock mechanism from one of the on/off positions to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Scarfone
  • Patent number: 10458155
    Abstract: A latch for a closure panel of a vehicle including a latch housing; a ratchet mounted to the latch housing and movable between a closed position and an open position, the ratchet having a channel for receiving a striker with a first portion relative to the channel and a second portion relative to the channel, the channel having an over slam region positioned adjacent to a bottom of the channel; a pawl mounted to the latch housing and movable between a ratchet holding position and a ratchet release position; and a pair of levers mounted to the latch housing and configured for corotation about a pivot, the pair of levers biased towards a rest position by a biasing member coupled to at least one of the pair of levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA CLOSURES INC.
    Inventors: Jianjun Yu, Hongying Wang, Hongyuan Li
  • Patent number: 9556656
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock device includes: a latching mechanism maintaining a vehicle door in a closing-stop state; an active lever having a support swiveling around a first support shaft, a link section disposed on the outer side from the support in a radial direction with the first support shaft as the center and having an outer circumferential section linked to and driven by an electric motor, a connection section connecting the support and the link section, and a first engagement section formed in one of an outer circumferential section of the support and an inner circumferential section of the link section; a release lever swiveling around a second support shaft disposed in the recessed portion to be parallel to the first support shaft, interconnected with the latching mechanism, and having a second engagement section engageable with the first engagement section so as to integrally swivel with the active lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshio Machida, Shinsuke Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 9482037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for locking a motor vehicle lock. The aim of the invention is to design an easy-to-make and compact locking module for a lock. Said aim is achieved by a locking module comprising a housing, a switching nut that can be connected to a locking cylinder so as to rotate the switching nut by means of a key, and mechanism for converting a rotary movement of the switching nut into a linear movement to lock and unlock a lock. The mechanism comprises a dog which is linearly moved by a rotary movement of the switching nut. In the mounted state of the locking module, the linear movement of the dog actuates a mechanism that causes the lock to unlock or lock. In order to minimize the number of parts, the switching nut is rotatably mounted by the module housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ludger Graute, Heiko Hemmer
  • Patent number: 9103140
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ornamental ignition switch cover for a motorcycle that provides a decorative and functional appearance while concealing the underlying ignition switch, ignition key, or the keyhole. The device takes the form of a knob or a lever made from metal or other suitable material. The knob portion includes a hollow cavity that provides coverage for the underlying ignition key or the keyhole. The knob portion connects to the ignition switch by an attachment mechanism, such as screws or magnets, which are provided on the knob portion or are provided about the ignition switch perimeter. In this way, the device provides an ignition cover with an outward look of a firearm cylinder or other personalized cover while concealing the presence of the ignition key or the keyhole. The device rotates clockwise or counterclockwise so that it may be locked and unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Arellanez, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150096337
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly for housing an unlocking mechanism provided within a vehicle passenger compartment which is operably connected to a locking device of a trunk lid includes an interior body panel having an outer surface including an opening portion for receiving an unlocking mechanism. A lid is removably mounted to the body panel and has a closed position for covering the opening portion and an opened position. The lid defines a lid body having an exterior surface. An edge portion of the exterior surface is continuous and without interruption about a periphery of the exterior surface so that the lid body exterior surface is flush with the body panel outer surface about the entire periphery of the lid body exterior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Emily G. Lawrence, Toshimitsu Shimizu, Jason Dilley
  • Publication number: 20150096339
    Abstract: A pull handle (1) to unlock a lock of a vehicle door or lift-gate having a pull handle housing (1a) with a bearing part (2) for securing on a vehicle door or lift-gate and a handle part (3) connected to the bearing part (2) rotatable around a rotation axis (170). The handle part (3) is rotatable by pulling from a non-activated to an activated position. An activation mechanism (4) mounted in the pull handle housing (1a) unlocks the lock, and can be activated by pulling on the handle part (3) and having a coupling element (56, 146) mounted in the pull handle housing (1a) to couple with external elements to unlock the lock. A locking mechanism (5) is located completely in the pull handle housing (1a) and the activation mechanism (4) can be disabled so that a pulling on the handle part (3) does not unlock the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Behnke, Viktor Komkin
  • Publication number: 20150096338
    Abstract: A pull handle (1) for a lock of a vehicle door or lift gate featuring a pull handle housing (1a) having a bearing part (2) and a handle part (3) connected so as to swivel around a swivel axis between non-actuated and actuated positions. An actuation mechanism (4) mounted in the pull handle housing (1a) and can be actuated by the handle part (3). A coupling element (56) mounted in the pull handle housing (1a) couples with external lock elements. A locking mechanism (5) locks and unlocks the actuation mechanism (4). The coupling element is displaceable in the bearing part along an actuation axis (209), perpendicular to the swivel axis, and connected to the handle part (3) for linear movement in the actuation direction (204) parallel to the actuation axis (209).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Behnke, Viktor Komkin
  • Patent number: 8985648
    Abstract: A handle device for a lock unit of a vehicle includes a handle part which is movably mounted relative to a door of the vehicle and which can be displaced between a rest position and an operating position. The handle part is flush with the exterior of the door in the rest position and projects from the exterior of the door in the operating position. The handle part can be manually actuated to open the door when in the operating position. The handle device further includes an actuating unit which can be used to transfer the handle part at least from the rest position to the operating position when the actuating unit is activated. The actuating unit includes a cover which can be detached from the actuating unit and a lock cylinder arranged in the handle device, such that the lock cylinder can be released by detaching the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Mario Christensen, Stefan Mönig, Christof Brauner, Martin Witte, Norbert Heller
  • Patent number: 8950225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a handle device (10) for a closing device (12) for a displaceable door (11) or similar on a vehicle, comprising a first module (30) which comprises a handle support (31) and which is arranged on the inner side (11.4) of the door (11) by means of the handle support (31), and a second module (50) which is arranged on the outer side (11.5) of the door (11), and contains a handle part (51). Said handle part (51) is displaceably mounted in relation to the door (11) for operating said handle device (10). According to the invention, the second module (50) comprises a handle shell (54) which is arranged on the outer side (11.5) of the door (11), and said handle part (51) is displaceably mounted on said handle shell (54). The invention also relates to a method for mounting a handle device (10) which is used to operate a closing device (12) of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dirk Muller, Mario Christensen, Stefan Monig, Cristof Brauner, Martin Witte, Norbert Heller
  • Publication number: 20150033809
    Abstract: A lockable locking device (1) for a vehicle seat (3) includes an unlocking handle (42) for unlocking the locking device (1) and a locking cylinder (50) for locking the locking device (1). The locking cylinder (50) is fastened to the unlocking handle (42). The unlocking handle (42) is substantially arranged within an unlocking housing (40) and is pivotable relative to the unlocking housing (40) about an unlocking axis (43). The locking cylinder (50) is configured approximately in the shape of a cylinder, wherein the cylinder axis (54) thereof runs in a plane perpendicularly to the unlocking axis (43). A vehicle seat (3) is provided with at least one such locking device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Mueller, Bernd Heimann, Kadir Yasaroglu
  • Patent number: 8924087
    Abstract: A motor vehicle has a plurality of doors, each secured by a lock, peripheral control units, each connected to one of said locks, for sending a command signal to an actuator of the lock, a central control unit for sending command signals to the actuators of the locks, and an accident detector. If the accident detector has detected an accident, at least one of the actuators is switchable from a central operating mode in which it executes command signals of the central control unit and its associated peripheral control unit into a peripheral operating mode in which it executes only command signals from its peripheral control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Heberer, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Frank J. Arabia, Jr., Matthias Ruehr, David T. Proefke, Jeffrey James Hoorn, Peter Eduard Schuessler, Richard J. Lange
  • Patent number: 8869575
    Abstract: An antitheft steering lock device with an insertable bolt particularly for a motor vehicle, including an antitheft lock body including a first portion with a locking mechanism capable of immobilizing a movable steering element, and a second portion where a bolt is inserted and positively connected inside the second portion, and wherein the bolt is capable of controlling the use of the locking means, wherein the antitheft lock device further includes blocking means capable of inhibiting the use of the locking means when the bolt is removed after the bolt has been positively connected inside the second portion of the antitheft lock body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Guillaume Lesueur, Frédéric Maltaverne
  • Patent number: 8801055
    Abstract: A door lock mechanism 100 comprises a door handle 110 including a turning grip part 110A, an open rod 120 which engages with the turning of the grip part 110A and opens a door by moving in a first direction, a key rod 140 which is linked to a key cylinder 115 and locks the door by moving in a second direction, a first engaging part 150 which is attached to open rod 120 and protrudes in a direction which intersects a movement direction of open rod 120, a second engaging part 160 which is attached to key rod 140 and protrudes in a direction which intersects a movement direction of key rod 140, and a displacement restricting part 170 which is fixed to the vehicle body and positioned further to the inside of the vehicle than first engaging part 150 and second engaging part 160.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8803657
    Abstract: The RFID-mechanical dual-mode entry key includes a key blade attached to and extending away from a housing. A double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch is disposed on the key blade housing. A microantenna disposed in the housing is connected to the switch. An unlock passive Radio Frequency microcircuit disposed in the key blade housing is operably connected to a first pole of the DPDT switch to activate the unlock passive RF microcircuit when the switch is thrown to the first pole, exclusively connecting the unlock passive RF microcircuit to the microantenna. A lock passive Radio Frequency microcircuit disposed in the key blade housing is operably connected to a second pole of the DPDT switch to activate the lock passive RF microcircuit when the switch is thrown to the second pole, exclusively connecting the lock passive RF microcircuit to the microantenna, The key supports remote/mechanical locking/unlocking of a vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Fawzi Q. M. A. O. A. Behbehani
  • Publication number: 20140165676
    Abstract: A power port lock device locks a locking subject to restrict removal of a charge cable from a power port arranged in a vehicle or restrict connection of the charge cable to the power port. The lock device includes a lock mechanism that locks and unlocks the locking subject. A door monitoring unit monitors a locking state of a vehicle door. A detection unit detects an operation to a door locking-unlocking unit which is operated to lock or unlock the vehicle door. A lock control unit controls operation of the lock mechanism based on a monitoring result of the door monitoring unit and a detection result of the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tomohiro INOUE, Koichi KOJIMA
  • Publication number: 20140157841
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of a combination wheel locking system are provided herein. The combination wheel locking system can be used to prevent access to one or more lug nuts on a wheel. The combination wheel locking system and anti-theft device can include a combination master lock system for operatively engaging and releasing from a portion of a wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: William Eugene Thomas, Cliff J. Scribner, Rogerse Rimmer, Nakul Jeirath, Edward G. Alvarado, JR., Paul B. Hvass, Nicholas A. Herrera, Terrence M. Tomlinson
  • Patent number: 8726705
    Abstract: A door opening and closing device for a vehicle is provided in which a pivoting force of a rotor pivoting in response to a key operation of a cylinder lock is transmitted to a key operating force input member side of a door lock device via a pivot rod, wherein pivoting force transmission means (18) is provided between a pivot rod (17) and the key operating force input member, the pivoting force transmission means (18) being formed by housing within an extension case (103) a driven-side pivot member detachably linked to the key operating force input member in a relatively non-pivotable manner, a drive-side pivot member detachably linked to the other end part of the pivot rod (17) in a relatively non-pivotable manner, and a transmission member transmitting a pivoting force from the drive-side pivot member to the driven-side pivot member, and the extension case (103) is detachably mounted on a casing (25A) of a door lock device (16A) so as to extend from the casing (25A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Koichi Tabe, Koichi Takenoshita, Yuki Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8720240
    Abstract: A rotary output member that is a motor vehicle door catch and a rotary input member of a mechanism that is a motor vehicle door lock is disclosed. The arrangement includes a movement transmitting device that is inserted between the two rotary members, the transmission shaft of the two ends of which, together with the rotary output and input members, form articulated universal joints allowing some degree of axial misalignment. Each end of the shaft is ball shaped, collaborating with a complementary rotary member part. The ball at the door catch end of the transmission shaft is a faceted ball, the number of facets of which is defined according to the angle between the door catch and the door lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Christian Flandrinck, Anthony Guerin
  • Patent number: 8671623
    Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lisa J. Dodson, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Richard K. Mette, Carolyn J. Thor, Frank J. Arabia, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140042964
    Abstract: A locking mechanism secures a plug of a charging cord in a charging receptacle of a vehicle and includes an actuator, a linear-actuated cam connected thereto and driven along a linear travel path thereby (the cam defining a slot therein positioned at an angle relative to the path), and a locking arm pivotally mounted at a pivot point to a component disposed adjacent the arm. The arm includes a follower pin that engages the slot. The arm pivots about the point to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to movement of the cam along the path. A housing of the vehicle includes the receptacle, a charging interface connected with the plug to allow current to flow from a charging unit to a system of batteries of the vehicle during a charging operation, and the mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Arabia, JR., Jeffrey L. Konchan, Scott A. Sorbie, Michelle Zirngibl Taylor
  • Patent number: 8648689
    Abstract: A system includes a controller that executes a method for determining failure of the door latch sensor using both the door latch sensor and a door lock sensor. If the door latch sensor is faulty, the controller adjusts an automatic feature of the vehicle based on a door lock signal instead of a door state signal. The controller is also configured to mark the door latch signal as faulty if the door latch system is not functioning properly by using a fault counter that tracks the door lock sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Reynolds Hathaway, Brian J Deurloo, Christopher Lee Danks, Mark Edward Zyskowski, Jeffrey James Tumavitch, Todd Curtis Spaulding, Charles C Poon
  • Patent number: 8635892
    Abstract: An outside locking lever of a lever mechanism section in a lock mechanism of a vehicle door lock apparatus includes a hub portion being rotatable relative to a housing and having a connection subportion to which an inner end portion of a rod is connected in a torque transmittable manner; an arm portion extending radially outward from the hub portion and linked to an active lever; a hub-side engagement subportion provided on the hub portion and engaged in the vehicle interior-exterior direction with a first support portion of the housing; an arm-side engagement subportion provided on the arm portion and engaged in the vehicle interior-exterior direction with a second support portion of the housing; and a fragile portion provided between the two engagement portions and being breakable with a force of a predetermined value or greater. A space for allowing breakage at the fragile portion is provided within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Suzumura, Takashi Nishio, Nobuko Watanabe, Masayuki Tomochika, Masanari Iwata, Yasuhiko Sono, Ryujiro Akizuki
  • Publication number: 20140000326
    Abstract: A vehicular anti-theft mechanism having cradles for the vehicle's wheels connected to opposing ends of a central shaft. Two sliding locks are mounted on the central shaft and are moveable relative to the shaft. Each of these sliding locks, e.g. chains, secure the vehicle's axle to the anti-theft device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Kristopher Juel Dowdy
  • Patent number: 8607602
    Abstract: Passenger portable safety brake, a safety devise for passenger to control the speed or stop a car driven by a student driver. The passenger portable safety brake includes a handle, elongated tube and U-shaped tip with a latch. This device is designed to easily and temporarily attached to the car brake and controlled by the passenger, driving instructor, parents or any one that is helping the student driver with on the road instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Godwin Okoye, Mathias Okoye
  • Patent number: 8601841
    Abstract: A hood and wheel brace comprising of a horizontal bar, encased in a plastic sleeve, being hollow and having two ends, with extendable bars slideably mounted and extending from each end of the horizontal bar operationally adjustable for sizing of a vehicle's hood and wherein each extendable bar is received in an insertion hole defined in one end of a retractable tower to align with the insertion hole and locked within the retractable tower; said retractable towers each having two ends, with a hook extending downward at one end inclined to allow the hook to embrace an inner side of the vehicle's front wheel; and a vertical shaft which includes a plurality of ratchet teeth longitudinally extending over a portion thereof, configured to allow the vertical shaft to slideably extend the sizing of the retractable tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: Royce Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20130312466
    Abstract: A locking device for a fold-over backrest of a seat, has a locking housing in which a handle is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position, by which handle a pawl of a locking mechanism can be carried between a locked position and an unlocked position. A blocking bolt is movable manually by a closable lock between a blocked position blocking the handle and a released position releasing the handle. A transmission element is driveable displaceably in a guide from a first end position into a second end position. The transmission element has a retaining element and, upon movement of the handle out of the locked position, is movable into a retaining recess of the blocking bolt and prevents the blocking bolt from being able to move from the released position into the blocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Ingo Teufel, Peter Reimer
  • Publication number: 20130255333
    Abstract: A lock device locks a lid, which protects the inlet, and a power supplying plug. The lock device includes a helical gear rotated by the motor. A helical gear is connected to a control shaft. The control shaft is moved to a hook lock bar lock position when the helical gear rotates counterclockwise from the reference position. The helical gear is connected by a transmission member to a lid lock bar. The lid lock bar is constantly urged toward a lid lock position by a coil spring. When the helical gear rotates clockwise from the reference position, the lid lock bar moves to the lid unlock position against the urging force of the coil spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Naoto Kurumizawa, Keiji Kahara, Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20130226795
    Abstract: A vehicle immobilizing device includes a lock, a user interface, memory configured to store an unlock code, and a processor. The lock has a latch mechanism and the processor controls movement of the latch mechanism from a locked position to an unlocked position so that the immobilizing device can be removed from a vehicle. A person installing the immobilizing device on a vehicle utilizes the user interface to enter and store an unlock code and an identification code in the device memory at the time of installation. Upon payment of an outstanding fine, a vehicle owner is provided with an unlock code. To remove the device from the vehicle the owner utilizes the user interface to enter unlock code and the processor causes the latch mechanism to move to the unlocked position upon determining that the unlock code input via the user interface matches an unlock code stored in the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hopper, Peter Kent McCammon, Neal Harris Stern, Elizabeth Wells Shumadine
  • Patent number: 8499596
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antitheft device (2) for the steering column of a vehicle, comprising: a locking portion including a bolt for locking the steering column, and a mobile member capable of controlling the locking-in-position of the bolt; and an access portion including a latch, wherein said device includes a rocker arm for converting a movement of the mobile control member into the release of a super-lockout element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Frédéric Maltaverne, Christophe Perrin
  • Publication number: 20130133385
    Abstract: A device to prevent removal of fuel and oil caps includes a pin having a shaft with a first and second end; a head at the first end of the shaft; a locking element at the second end of the shaft; a pad having an adhesive surface that fixes to the cap; a grommet that forms an aperture in the pad that receives the shaft of the pin so that the pad rotatably retains the pin to the cap; and a cover that is rotatably retained over the cap by the pin and the locking element so that the cap generally covers the cap and rotates independently from the cap, thereby deterring removal of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Charles Mike Payne
  • Publication number: 20130125597
    Abstract: A theft prevention assembly for use on an externally threaded outer end of a fuel tank filling neck includes an outer cap, an internally threaded inner cap for mounting on the filling neck, and a lock assembly defined by a cup attached to the inner cap, a sleeve slidably in the cup and a lock in the sleeve. The outer cap is normally freely rotatable relative to the fixed inner cap, the cup and the sleeve which are releasably interconnected by the lock. When the cup is released from the sleeve, the inner cap is latched to the outer cap by the sleeve, and the two caps can be rotated as a unit to open the filling neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Michel Beaudoin
  • Patent number: 8443638
    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: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: VSI, LLC
    Inventor: Dimiter S. Zagoroff
  • Patent number: 8438888
    Abstract: A door lock device includes a lever mechanism which carries out lock/unlock operation in response to turn operation of a key cylinder. The lever mechanism includes a key rotor which includes a coupling hole to which an inner end of a rod is coupled in a torque transmittable manner and is rotatably assembled to a housing, and a key lever which includes a hub which is coupled to the key rotor in a torque transmittable manner and is arranged in the housing. The key lever includes a first arm which extends to radial outward direction from the hub and is capable of engaging with a first engagement portion of the active lever, and a second arm which extends to radial outward direction from the hub and is capable of engaging with a second engagement portion of the active lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryujiro Akizuki, Takashi Nishio, Nobuko Watanabe, Kazunori Kojima, Sho Sannohe, Yusuke Yamada, Yasuhiko Sono
  • Patent number: 8429942
    Abstract: A vehicle starter switch device including a cylinder, a rotor rotatable in the cylinder to a plurality of rotational positions including a first position and a second position, an ignition switch connected to the rotor, and a restriction mechanism that restricts and permits the rotation of the rotor. The restriction mechanism includes a single solenoid that restricts rotation of the rotor from the first position to the second position when de-energized. The solenoid also permits rotation of the rotor from the second position to the first position when de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masashi Kakizaki
  • Publication number: 20130091907
    Abstract: In a vehicle theft preventing device that is used in a chargeable vehicle, a prohibition request signal, that requests the prohibition of execution of vehicle function is transmitted from a terminal to the vehicle when power is received by the vehicle. The vehicle theft preventing device disallows authentication using a key when the prohibition request signal is received from the terminal. The authentication using the key is disallowed unless the authentication is enabled by the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshifumi Nishijima, Toshiro Hikita
  • Patent number: 8408031
    Abstract: An operation restricting device for an ignition switch includes a body including a turning restriction portion at a first position and a second portion, a rotor rotatably disposed in the body, a locking pin held movably in a turning plane of the rotor by the rotor, for restricting a first turn of the rotor from the second position to the first position, and a second turn of the rotor from the first position to the second position, the first turn and the second turn being opposite to each other, and a plate disposed movably or immovably in a movement plane of the locking pin, for permitting the first turn and the second turn of the rotor by switching an actuator. The turning restriction portion at the second position includes a turning lever to turn in the turning plane of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Takahiro Hirashita
  • Patent number: RE44785
    Abstract: A vehicle immobilization system has an electronically controlled locking mechanism which requires interconnection with an electrical supply for it to be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking mechanism remains in the state to which it is switched when disconnected from the electrical supply. The immobilization system includes control means which operates to connect the locking mechanism to the electrical supply to switch it from one state to the other, and to disconnect the locking mechanism from the electrical supply when the vehicle engine is running or the vehicle is moving. The immobilization system also includes means to prevent cranking of the engine when the locking mechanism is in it's locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Steven Christopher Howell, Nigel Clark