Central Control Patents (Class 70/264)
  • Patent number: 4763498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a central locking installation having individual operating devices in each of which a push rod is longitudinally displaceable by means of a drive arrangement in the direction of a guide part formed by the housing of the operating device, while inhibitor means are provided for the inhibition of the displaceability of the push rod in one region of its displacement path. Thus without appreciable manufacturing expense it is achieved in the simplest manner that operating devices thus equipped can also be used at those locking points of a motor vehicle where merely in the manual pressing shut of this locking point a slight displacement of the push rod could occur which can result in unintended tripping of the microswitch and thus central locking of all locking points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Rainer Fey
  • Patent number: 4744231
    Abstract: A closure lock system comprising a lock assembly, a lock actuator for locking or unlocking the lock assembly and a lock circuit including a reed switch which when closed by a magnet of a key causes the lock actuator to lock the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Takagi, Haruo Mochida
  • Patent number: 4727735
    Abstract: An electropneumatic door lock control in which a pump activatable to generate a first or second pressure is controlled by a bistable pressure latch and communicated through passenger lock and auxiliary solenoids to pneumatic passenger lock and auxiliary actuators. Initiation means for first and second locking operations of a passenger door lock and a third locking operation of an auxiliary lock are interconnected with the bistable pressure latch, a bistable passenger latch and a bistable auxiliary latch and first and second timers to control the locking operations so that the first and second locking operations generate different pressures but activate the same timer for a duration of activation while the third locking operation generates one of the pressures but activates the other timer for a different duration of activation. With each activation of one of the initiation means the non-chosen latches and timer are deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald H. Haag, Lloyd W. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4719775
    Abstract: A central locking system for motor vehicles is provided in which, in addition to the key-actuated central function for the locking or unlocking of door locks, an automatic central locking takes place when the vehicle engine is started and on. However, the automatic central locking of the vehicle can be overridden when the engine is running so that entry and exit are possible. After the entry or exit while the engine is running, the doors of the vehicle are again automatically centrally locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fritz Pross, Rudi Kneib, Guenther Weikert, Klaus J. Heimbrodt
  • Patent number: 4709776
    Abstract: Circuits are provided that automatically lock electric power door locks of a motor vehicle at a predetermined speed.Also, the system includes circuits for automatically relocking the electric power door locks if the doors come open or ajar. Provisions are made to inhibit the dome light switch which turns on the dome light from actuating the automatic door lock system and automatically locking the doors since the door jamb switch and the dome light switch are usually connected in the same circuit to turn on the dome light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Chrysler Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Marcus C. Metz
  • Patent number: 4708378
    Abstract: The disclosure is concerned with an electrically operable central locking and unlocking device for vehicle doors with mechanical locks at each door or lid, and with electromechanical actuation for such door locks in which the actuation is transferred by a vertically movable actuating rod capable of moving between an unlocked position and a locked position, to a control rod of the associated door lock. The device includes a reversible electric motor, a transmission, and an actuating mechanism for the actuating rod. The device also includes exterior ridges on a spindle-nut and projecting formations which serve to carry along the actuating rod during the lock stroke and during the unlocking stroke. The ridges can override, after completion of the lock stroke, as well as after completion of the unlock stroke, the projecting formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Jurgen Ingenhoven
  • Patent number: 4676082
    Abstract: A central locking system in a motor vehicle, by means of which an automatic locking of at least the rear lid is effected in every case when the vehicle is driven with non-desired locking of the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: G. Huber, Rudi Kneib
  • Patent number: 4669283
    Abstract: An electrically operable device for actuating vehicle doors and the like from a central panel location is disclosed, especially for doors having an individual lock, and having electromechanical actuation including an actuating rod adapted to be reciprocatingly displaced, as well as being adapted to assume an unlocked position, a locked position, and an antitheft position. The actuating rod is further adapted to operate the respective control rod operatively connected to the respective door lock. The device includes a reversible electric motor, a transmission, and an actuating mechanism for the drive rod. The device also includes exterior ridges on a spindle-nut and projecting formations which can be overridden, upon completion of the locking stroke, as well as on completion of the unlocking stroke, as well as for carrying out of an antitheft stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Jurgen Ingenhoven
  • Patent number: 4652768
    Abstract: This invention relates to a locking mechanism for the locks of the rear doors of a motor vehicle with one locking device for each door lock acting against the unauthorized opening of the doors from the interior side of the doors, a so called child safety lock. Each locking device is assigned an electric-motor-driven control unit, the rotational direction of said control unit being reversible via a double pole changing switch (double throw switch) and said control unit being connected with it and being able to be remotely operated with respect to locking or unlocking of the lock by a switching element that can be operated from the front seats. The locking condition of the locking device is indicated by an optical display.To reduce manufacturing parts and expenses for the circuit controlling the optical display, this circuit is formed by parts of the circuit controlling the locking devices themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guenter Gmeiner, Rudolf Andres, Holger Seel
  • Patent number: 4637239
    Abstract: A vehicular lock system used in combination with a battery has at least one latch settable in an unlocked position, a locked position permitting manual opening only by a key, and an antitheft position preventing manual opening even with the key. An electric servomotor is powered by the battery to displace the latch between at least the antitheft and locked positions. This servomotor is unable to move the latch between the positions when the battery power is below a predetermined minimum. An externally operable control unit is connected between the battery and the servomotor for feeding the battery power to the servomotor for displacing the latch at least between the antitheft and locked positions. A reference signal corresponding to the minimum battery power is compared to the battery power to displace the latch from the antitheft position to the locked position when the battery power falls below the predetermined minimum represented by the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Kleefeldt, Peter Bartel
  • Patent number: 4593544
    Abstract: A central locking system with a two-door control for motor vehicles, in which certain locking operations are precluded in dependance on the position of the key of a starter switch of the driving engine. In order to prevent an unitentional locking of the vehicle doors under certain operating conditions, means are provided according to the present invention which enable a locking actuation of the central locking system exclusively by the interior actuating element of the driver door on the steering column side when the key is in the starter whereas only a mechanical locking of the individual front door on the passenger side is possible by way of the interior actuating element of this passenger door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Claar, Klaus-Juergen Heimbrodt, Hermann Kurth
  • Patent number: 4562710
    Abstract: A wheel lock for the steering system of an automotive vehicle can make use of the power-assist hydraulic cylinder whose piston is connected to the steering linkage. The device includes a slide valve connected between the distributor of the power-assist system and the power cylinder and has a slide plug which can be displaced between positions allowing normal power-assist functions and blocking flow to and from the power cylinder to lock the steering. A key-operated switch can energize an electric motor whose threaded spindle drives a nut connected to the plug to shift the latter when the ignition is turned off, into the wheel-locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Neiman S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Lipschutz
  • Patent number: 4537049
    Abstract: A power door lock control for vehicles includes a manually operable member which may be the conventional lock-unlock button. One door contains an electrically powered mechanism which operates a locking bolt. Connected to the mechanism is a contact which is cooperable with a second contact on the vehicle body when the door is closed. A pulse circuit in the vehicle is actuated when the driver presses the lock button toward its "locking" position, and supplies spaced pulses to the body contact. The pulses continue at a very low duty cycle, so as to draw minimal current, until the door is closed at which time the door contact and body contact engage one another, thereby completing a circuit from the pulse generator to the powered mechanism. This in turn operates the locking bolt to secure the door. At the same time, a current sensing circuit in the vehicle detects that a pulse of current has flowed through the powered mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Lupoli
  • Patent number: 4519227
    Abstract: The central locking installation for motor vehicle door locks blocks the locking element of the door lock by means of an additional, separately controllable blocking member. The locking element and the blocking member are driven by separate electrical drives which are connected into mutually parallel-connected current paths of one common drive current circuit. The drive direction of the two drives is controlled by common switches of a pole-changing circuit which reverses the current direction. Into the current path of the drives of the blocking member there is connected a control switch by way of which these drives can be switched on selectively. In the unlocking direction and the unblocking or releasing direction a time control system controllable by means of the door key in the unlocking of the door switches on the drives of the locking element and of the blocking member simultaneously. In the locking of the door lock only the drive of the locking element is switched on in its locking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Dumbser, Manfred Lutz, Rainer Fey, Kurt Weiss
  • Patent number: 4468942
    Abstract: A pneumatic central locking system for doors and/or lids in motor vehicles, with a pneumatic operating or locking element being provided for each lock mechanism of the doors and/or lids so as to enable the same to be locked and unlocked. An electrically drivable air pump is connectible with the locking elements by a line system and a selector valve is disposed at an outlet side of the air pump. The selector valve acts upon the line system and/or the locking elements in a desirable manner by means of an additional pneumatic operating or switching element connected fluidically in parallel at the locking elements. A response pressure of the switch element is higher than that of the locking elements. At least one lock mechanism contains a key operable first selector switch, with a second selector switch which may be operated by the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Grabner, Klaus-Jurgen Heimbrodt, Dieter Feichtiger
  • Patent number: 4466263
    Abstract: A device for the unlocking and locking of doors having pneumatic setting members in the individual door-locking mechanisms is provided centrally with a pneumatic pump (19) having a motor (18) of controlled direction of rotation. This motor can be controlled by means of a DC door switch (2). Immediately after a pressure build-up or vacuum build-up a holding-circuit switch (23) closes a holding circuit so that the DC motor (18) which drives the pneumatic pump (19) continues to operate even if it is immediately switched back directly after the making of contact by the door switch (2).Upon an increase in vacuum or pressure, a contact finger (26) of the holding-circuit switch (23) displaces a contact bridge in such a way that it actuates a bistable change-over switch (10) via mechanical transmission members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Klaus Rathmann
  • Patent number: 4465311
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fluid controlled door lock including a lock chassis, a lock bolt movable relative to the chassis, a door handle rotatable relative to the chassis along an axis, a clutch for interconnecting the lock bolt and the door handle, and a fluid control system operable in a direction substantially parallel to the axis and being connected to the chassis for operating the clutch. The fluid control system typically includes a cylinder having a fluid displaceable plunger therein which is adapted to selectively reciprocate in a direction parallel to the axis to operate the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Inventor: George K. Austin
  • Patent number: 4466044
    Abstract: The central locking system adapted especially to motor vehicles comprises a plurality of electric locking drives and a time control circuit triggerable by at least one control switch in switching over from a first switch position to a second switch position. The time control circuit switches on the locking drives for a predetermined time duration in a predetermined drive direction. A switch signal generator controlled by the control switch generates a first two-level control signal the control levels of which represent the switch positions of the control switch. The switch signal generator in the switching over of the control switch from the first switch position into the second switch position triggers a ramp signal generator which delivers a ramp signal varying in time with constant direction from a predetermined initial level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventor: Rainer Fey
  • Patent number: 4459834
    Abstract: A remote control door-lock device connected to front and rear door lock devices for an automotive vehicle used to lock/unlock the front and rear vehicle doors from a position near a driver seat comprises one or two guide plates having a slot formed therein and one or two actuation members having projection pins on one side thereof and an opening on the other side thereof. The guide plates are controlled by a remote control lever via a cable, and the slots thereof engage the pins so that the guide plates control the position of the actuation members, but with some mutual free travel. The actuation members also engage with front and rear door lock members, usable by passengers, so that if the remote control lever is actuated, the door lock members are in turn actuated to lock the respective doors, and to disable the door lock members. That is, the door lock members can be actuated either directly or by the remote control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Shojiro Seki
  • Patent number: 4452058
    Abstract: The latch comprises a latching mechanism, a locking mechanism, an electric motor actuating device for the locking mechanism and a key for manually actuating the locking mechanism and controlling the supply of current to the actuating device. The motor has an output gear which is located in the case of the latch and directly drives an element of the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle de Mecanismes
    Inventor: Jean P. Noel
  • Patent number: 4444032
    Abstract: A device for the unlocking and locking of doors has a pneumatic blocking device (41) by which, in a third switch position of a main lock (1), all secondary door locks (3) in addition to the main door lock (1) are blocked in such a manner that they cannot be opened either from the inside or from the outside and thus can now be opened only by a main key (8) for the main lock (1). A 3/2-way valve (30) for controlling the setting members (35) of the secondary door locks (3) and the blocking device (41) is so developed that it is movable into its one position by an electric setting device (29) and into the other by a pneumatic setting device (37). The pneumatic setting device (37) is controlled by the alternating pressure which is produced by the pump (21) which is so switched and controlled that each time that it starts up it definitely alternately supplies vacuum or pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Stier, Klaus Rathmann
  • Patent number: 4440006
    Abstract: A central door-lock system has a plurality of door latches each including a detent displaceable between an open position securing the respective door to the respective doorpost and a closed position permitting the respective door to separate from the respective doorpost, a manual door-opening handle, mechanism including a primary latch member connected to the handle and connectable to the detent and movable between a lock position preventing this handle from displacing the detent between its open and closed positions and an unlock position permitting the handle to displace the detent between the open and closed positions, and a secondary latch member displaceable between a lock position urging the primary latch member into the respective lock position while permitting the primary latch member to move into the respective unlock position, an unlock position permitting the primary latch member to move freely between the respective lock and unlock positions, and an antitheft position positively holding the primar
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Kleefeldt
  • Patent number: 4364249
    Abstract: A central door-lock system has a plurality of door latches each of which is provided with a detent displaceable between open and closed positions for allowing the door to open and for holding it closed. This detent can be acted on by a manual door-opening handle through mechanism including a primary latch member which is connected to the handle and connectable to the detent and which is movable between a lock position preventing the handle from displacing the detent between the open and closed positions and an unlock position permitting the handle to displace the detent between the open and closed positions. A secondary latch member is displaceable between a lock position urging the primary latch member into the respective lock position, an unlock position permitting the primary latch member to move freely between the respective lock and unlock positions, and an antitheft position positively holding the primary member in the respective lock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Kleefeldt
  • Patent number: 4346573
    Abstract: A fluid pressure servo motor comprises a body having two operatively independent fluid chambers each chamber having therein a piston means movable in response to a fluid pressure differential so as to alter in use a two condition device from one to the other of said two conditions. The two piston means each have a lost motion means connection with the device to allow idle return of the pistons on cessation of the pressure differential. The two chambers and their respective pistons are co-axial and the pistons work in opposition to each other, one piston being fixed to a stirrup which bridges the other piston and acts in use against the two condition device, while allowing said other piston to move independently of the stirrup. Also disclosed is a vehicle door locking system incorporating servo motors as described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignee: Automotive Products Limited
    Inventor: David Parsons
  • Patent number: 4342209
    Abstract: A central vehicle door-lock system has several door latches each including a detent movable between a lock position securing the door closed and an unlock position allowing the door to be opened by means of a mechanism inside the door latch. Each of these latches is associated with a servoactuator having an actuator that is engaged via this mechanism with the respective detent and that is in turn moved by an operator. This operator, therefore, can move the actuator and with it the latch detent between lock and unlock positions, and the operator itself is movable by a servomotor into an antitheft position. A lock pawl on the actuator can, in the lock position of the actuator and in the antitheft position of the operator, move from a freeing position permitting displacement of the actuator from the lock to the unlock position into a blocking position preventing such displacement to lock up the entire latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Kiekert GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventor: Frank Kleefeldt
  • Patent number: 4335909
    Abstract: An articulated linkage locks the various access panels, covers, and plates opening into an engine and its accessories. A spring loaded shaft is used to drive a bell crank and a set of catch bolts. Each catch bolt is matched with a catch plate joined to one of the panels, covers and plates granting access to the engine and its components. A pair of doors covering the instrument panel is used to reposition the spring loaded shaft and bell crank. Locking the doors together therefore locks the catch bolt and catch plates together in one stroke and with one lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1982
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Floyd A. Schmitz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4322959
    Abstract: A locking means for a trunk in an automobile is disclosed which can be unlocked by the rotation of a key inserted in a key cylinder of the trunk and which comprises a first switch provided at a proper location in the room of the automobile to open and close a D.C. circuit including an actuator means for unlocking the locking means. A second switch which is usually closed is provided in said D.C. circuit in such a way as to be opened by the rotation of said key inserted in the key cylinder of the trunk in a direction contrary to that for unlocking the locking means, thereby it becomes possible for a proprietor of the automobile who stands outside the automobile near the trunk to actuate the second switch so as to prevent the opening of the trunk by any other person against the will of the proprietor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Haruo Mochida
  • Patent number: 4282800
    Abstract: This invention relates to fluid pressure servo motors having two operatively independent fluid chambers, each chamber having a piston means therein movable in response to a fluid pressure differential so as to alter in use a two position device from one to the other of said two positions, each piston means having a lost motion means connection to allow the idle return of the piston in the event of cessation of the fluid pressure differential, wherein the two pistons are co-axial and move in opposite directions in response to the pressure differential and one piston is fixed to a stirrup formed as a wire loop which bridges the other piston to act in use against said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Automotive Products Limited
    Inventors: Alastair J. Young, John P. Burke
  • Patent number: 4273027
    Abstract: A pneumatic actuating arrangement for to and fro movements, especially of a central locking system for motor vehicles, with an excess pressure source and with a vacuum source and with at least one pneumatic working device whose working chamber is adapted to be selectively connected to the excess pressure source or to the vacuum source by way of a shifting valve shiftable between two end positions. An intermediate for the shifting valve is provided in which position the shifting valve becomes temporarily effective during the transition from the one end position into the other end position so that the working chamber is conected to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Theodor Reinhard, Ernst Haug, Rudiger Hoffmann, Dieter Feichtiger
  • Patent number: 4270371
    Abstract: A device for unlocking and locking of doors, particularly of motor vehicle doors, with a pump delivering low pressure and high pressure, the outputs of which are connectable via a two-way valve which is actuatable upon each unlocking and locking operation, respectively, with pneumatic positioning elements which act on the door locking mechanism and with electrical switches for switching the pump respectively on and off via a reversing switch, the electrical switches being actuatable by means of a door key and arranged in the several, lockable doors, the reversing switch being able to be switched-over by means of a delayed-responding actuating means. An additional pneumatic positioning element is provided as the delayed-responding actuating means, which additional positioning element is connected to an output of the two-way valve. The two-way valve and the reversing switch are actuatable by means of the additional positioning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Heinz Kalk
  • Patent number: 4266415
    Abstract: A door lock, in particular a lock for hotel room doors. Actuation of the exterior door handle creates a supply of compressed air which is directed through a coding assembly to actuate a lock release member. The operation of the coding assembly is controlled by a pair of matching punched cards. One of the cards is normally positioned within the lock and the other card is retained by an authorized user for insertion into the lock to operate the coding assembly. Two separate coding assemblies are provided with a hotel door lock, one being for use by a guest and the other under the control of the hotel management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: Walter W. H. Clarke
  • Patent number: 4253319
    Abstract: A pneumatic central locking mechanism for doors and/or hinged covers of automotive vehicles wherein one pneumatic operating member is provided at the doors or hinged covers to be locked by the central locking operation for locking and unlocking locking devices associated with such doors and covers. A pump, drivable by an electric motor, produces excess pressure and vacuum with a reversing valve being provided for selectively delivering the excess pressure and vacuum to the pneumatic operating members. The reversing valve is operated by a pneumatic operating member which is pneumatically connected in parallel, by way of a throttle, to the operating members associated with the doors and hinged covers. Two double throw switch arrangements are provided with one of the double throw switch arrangements being actuated by the further operating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Feichtiger, Ru/diger Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4181191
    Abstract: A pneumatic system for a central locking installation of motor vehicles with lines that conduct pressures to pneumatic elements, of which one each is coordinated to the parts to be locked, such as doors, tank lid, rear lid and/or front hood and the like, whereby key actuation of the locking mechanism at a vehicle door opens, respectively, closes the associated part(s); the pneumatic elements are constructed as single-chamber elements, to which excess pressure and vacuum are alternately fed through the same line; the excess pressure and vacuum are produced by a pump driven by an electric motor that is set into operation by a pulse transmitter engaged during the actuation of the locking mechanism of the driver door, and that is again automatically turned off after the termination of the opening or locking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudiger Hoffmann, Dieter Feichtiger, Theodor Reinhard, Ernst Haug, Bernhard Schulze, Emil Bleibtreu
  • Patent number: 4157534
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a locking mechanism and a related control system. It is intended for use in hotels and other private and public buildings which require a high degree of security, and which also make keys available to the general public, or to persons whose reliability is unknown. The system includes a plurality of expendable self-powered key elements each defining an individual code, a validator element under the control of hotel desk personnel for assigning the codes to specific rooms at checkin time, memory means at each room receiving information from the validator element and comparator means for comparing the information received from the validator element with the code on the assigned key for a match prior to activating the lock mechanism. The validator element cancels the memory means at the individual room at checkout time upon surrender of the key, or, in the event the guest leaves taking the key with him, the key can be invalidated by the assignment of a new code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventor: Jacob Schachter
  • Patent number: 4142167
    Abstract: An actuator for converting linear motion to alternating, opposite direction, rotary motion. The actuator is electrically operated and selectively activatable to produce rotary motion in a desired direction via separately incorporated electrical circuits. Included is an electric solenoid operated plunger which reciprocates a rotatable cam. The cam both drives a rotatable pivot member in alternating, opposite directions via cam followers and completes one or the other of two electrical circuits depending on the rotational position of the pivot member. The solenoid is activatable to produce rotational motion in a desired direction only if the cam is completing the appropriate electrical circuit. The cam is supported by a housing and is positioned for re-engagement with one of the pivot member cam followers by the housing after each stroke of the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: Keeler Corporation
    Inventors: Carl H. Little, W. Rex Deshaw
  • Patent number: 4135377
    Abstract: A system for locking the doors of a vehicle by central command includes a reversible motor driving a worm gear. A traveling nut operated by the worm gear engages a lock-actuating lever through an overload clutch. The overload clutch includes a cam and a cam follower. The cam has a normal central stable position bounded on either side by regions of neutral stability which permit override by small manually applied forces in case the motor or worm gear malfunctions. The system further includes a spring powered mechanism for unlocking the doors in the event of an accident. The spring powered mechanism is tripped electrically by an acceleration-sensing switch, and can be recocked by applying a relatively large force to a plunger located on the window sill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: Arn. Kiekert Sohne
    Inventors: Frank Kleefeldt, Lothar Krause
  • Patent number: 4005885
    Abstract: A lock mounted on a frame of a door or window by a U-shaped bracket includes an air cylinder attached to the bracket and adapted to be actuated by remote control to drive a dead bolt into a hole in the door or window. An electro-conductive pin carried by the bolt is moved between two contacts carried by the cylinder to light an indicator light at the remote control location, the cylinder being on electrical insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1977
    Inventor: George K. Austin, Jr.