Key-controlled Patents (Class 70/427)
  • Patent number: 10710970
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods to produce 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including 5-(chloromethyl)furfural, by acid-catalyzed conversion of C6 saccharides, including isomers thereof, polymers thereof, and certain derivatives thereof. The methods make use of acids with lower concentrations, and allows for conversion of sugars into 5-(halomethyl)furfural at higher temperatures and faster reaction or residence times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: MICROMIDAS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex B. Wood, Makoto N. Masuno, Ryan L. Smith, John Bissell, Dimitri A. Hirsch-Weil, Robert Joseph Araiza, Daniel R. Henton, James H. Plonka
  • Patent number: 9347733
    Abstract: A rotary auger bow mounting stand for removably holding a bow upright on the ground. The stand includes an upright rod with a helical coil or flights forming an auger base having a point at the lower distal end to be fixedly and removably screwed into the ground to support the stand in an upright position. The top end of the rod forming the stand body defines an S-shaped loop configured, sized and shaped and disposed at a selected angle to support a the arm of a bow holding the bow in a substantially vertical position above the ground. The integral loop which supports the is bow forms a handle for the purpose of rotating the auger into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin Brooks
  • Patent number: 9010161
    Abstract: A protective device, particularly for a lock of a door or leaf, comprising a covering element which is associated slidingly with a plate that can be fixed to the door or leaf and can be positioned selectively so as to close an opening for access to the lock which is provided in the plate. Two pins are associated transversely with the plate and are adapted to block temporarily the sliding of the covering element with respect to the plate. The device has at least one cam, freely mounted rotatably within a cavity provided in the plate. At least one first recess and at least one second recess are provided in the lateral surface of the at least one cam, which have, in plan view, a mutually different shape and are adapted respectively to allow and prevent the sliding of the covering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Pier Luigi Oliana
  • Patent number: 8820128
    Abstract: An anti-picking device for a lock includes a casing, a rotating body, a key guiding seat and a linking member. The casing has a compartment. The rotating body is rotatably received in the compartment and has an actuated member adapted to rotate the rotating body relatively to the casing and an insertion hole axially connecting two end faces of the rotating body. The key guiding seat is received in the compartment and has an arc guiding groove and a receiving hole. The arc guiding groove communicates with the receiving hole, and the receiving hole penetrates through the key guiding seat in the axial direction. The linking member is received in the receiving hole of the key guiding seat and has an engaging part at a first end, while a second end of the linking member extends out of the receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Shih-Te Liu
  • Patent number: 8800332
    Abstract: A protective device comprising a covering element associated slidingly with a plate which can be fixed to the door or leaf and can be positioned selectively so as to close an opening for access to the lock which is provided in the plate. Two pins associated transversely with the plate block temporarily sliding of the covering element. The pins interact with the arms of a rotor, associated rotatably, within a cavity provided in the plate. Pivots protrude from the rotor and cooperate selectively with at least three cams, freely associated rotatably proximate to a surface of the cavity. The cams have an axis at the vertices of a polygon and interact with a magnet-based combination element adapted to modify the angular position of the cams to allow or prevent the rotation of the rotor and temporary mutual release of the pins and the covering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Pier Luigi Oliana
    Inventor: Pier Luigi Oliana
  • Patent number: 8359889
    Abstract: A vehicle door handle device, includes a cylinder lock for locking and unlocking a locking mechanism of an opening/closing panel, and a pair of pivot members pivotally attached to the opening/closing panel. One pivot member of the pair of pivot members is formed of a shutter capable of opening and closing a key insert hole of the cylinder lock, and another pivot member of the pair of pivot members has a pivotal force transmitting portion for transmitting a pivotal force in a direction to open the key insert hole to the one pivot member and is formed of an operating handle for opening and closing the opening/closing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshiharu Katagiri, Yoshiyuki Seki
  • Patent number: 8347679
    Abstract: An unlocking device includes a casing mounted to a side of a lock having a keyhole. A movable body is rotatably received in the casing about an axis. The movable body has a closed end having a through-hole. A key receiving seat is received in the movable body and has a passage. The keyhole is normally blocked by the closed end of the movable body. The movable body can be rotated to align the through-hole with the keyhole and the passage. A manually rotatable linking rod extends through the passage and has an engaging portion for coupling a key received in the passage. The key can be moved into the keyhole by moving the linking rod along the axis and can be rotated for a locking or unlocking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Shih-Te Liu
  • Patent number: 8297089
    Abstract: A theft deterrent enclosure that eliminates unauthorized access is disclosed. The enclosure includes a door assembly having three sides and a wrapper assembly having three sides that mate to form a lockable enclosure. A key lock cylinder is mounted in a lock opening of the door assembly such that it blocks the lock opening in a locked position. A keyed interface operates a fastener, such as a compression latch, threaded coupling or lock plate, which is mounted on the door assembly such that the fastener secures the door assembly and the wrapper assembly in a closed position. The keyed interface is positioned on an interior side of the enclosure that is opposite and aligned with the lock opening. A guide sleeve is positioned inside the enclosure that guides a security keyed tool inserted through the lock opening toward the keyed interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Johnny Edward Walker
  • Patent number: 8176758
    Abstract: A swivel lever can be locked in a trough in a swiveled in position and comprises a locking device which is accommodated in the swivel lever and which can be unlocked by way of an access opening in the swivel lever. The access opening can be made inaccessible by means of a cover. According to the invention, the cover can be blocked mechanically, particularly electromechanically, in its covering position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Dirak Dieter Ramsauer Kontruktionselemente GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Ramsauer, Sebastian Koch, Andreas Langenberg
  • Patent number: 8132436
    Abstract: The invention relates to a secured device for locking and unlocking a plug on a frame with a wrench. The device has an obstructing component that is mobile with respect to a plug and can be brought from an obstructing position to an unobstructing position in which the wrench can engage a rotor of a bolt when an identification code of the wrench, read by a reader, is in agreement with the code stored in an electronic module that is associated with the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Norinco
    Inventor: Philippe Dutilleul
  • Patent number: 7971459
    Abstract: A door lock and alarm in the form of a case which is attached to the exterior door handle by a clamping mechanism that stops movement of the case with respect to the door in all degrees of freedom, but allows the handle to turn inside the case. The case is provided with a lockable cover so as to permit an authorized user to open the cover and operate the door handle. An alarm device can be provided within the case to indicate tampering with the door lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignees: Bournemouth University, Matthew Price
    Inventor: Mathew Price
  • Patent number: 7866194
    Abstract: An unlocking device includes a casing mounted to a side of a lock having a keyhole. A movable body is rotatably received in the casing about an axis. The movable body has a closed end having a hole. A key receiving seat is received in the movable body and has a key receiving hole. The keyhole is normally blocked by the closed end of the movable body. The movable body can be rotated to align the hole with the keyhole and the key receiving hole. A block is fixed to the movable body and includes a through-hole extending along the axis. A manually rotatable linking rod extends through the through-hole and has an engaging portion for coupling a key received in the key receiving hole. The key can be moved into the keyhole by moving the linking rod along the axis and can be rotated for locking or unlocking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Shih-Te Liu
  • Patent number: 7861564
    Abstract: A slot device for holding a portable device that communicates with a controller installed in a vehicle. The slot device includes a retainer for retaining the portable device, a shutter for closing the retainer, and a spring received in a spring receptacle for urging the shutter to close the retainer. The spring is supported in an inclined state to contact the inner surface of the spring receptacle and prevent vibrations and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ito, Shozo Kito
  • Patent number: 7735347
    Abstract: An ignition switch device is provided with a switch having a key hole allowing a regular ignition key K to be inserted thereinto, and capable of being rotationally operated in a predetermined direction with the ignition key K inserted to start and stop an engine of an industrial machine, a case covering the switch and formed with an insertion hole allowing the key hole to face the outside, and a main guide shape composed of a groove having a V-shaped cross-section, which is formed on the surface of the case, and extending toward the insertion hole to allow the tip Ka of the ignition key K to be guided to the key hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: Asahi Denso Co., Ltd., Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Tsuchikiri, Takehiro Sakai, Masaki Ueda, Keisuke Miura, Hiroshi Kawanami, Ikuhiro Uotani, Yoshiaki Miyahara, Tadayoshi Umemoto
  • Patent number: 7591159
    Abstract: An ignition switch device is provided with a switch having a key hole, and capable of being rotationally operated in a predetermined direction with an ignition key inserted to start and stop the engine of an industrial machine, a case covering the switch and formed with an insertion hole allowing the key hole to face the outside, a shutter rotatable between a closed position where the insertion hole of the case is closed, and an open position where the insertion hole is opened to allow the key hole to face outside, and a gutter formed on the surface of the case, and extending toward an outer end of the case while a base end communicates with the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Asahi Denso Co., Ltd., Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Tsuchikiri, Takehiro Sakai, Masaaki Ueda, Keisuke Miura, Hiroshi Kawanami
  • Patent number: 7581423
    Abstract: A protective cover for a keyway disposed on an end surface of a lock is provided. A housing is adapted to be assembled over the lock end surface. The housing includes an opening that surrounds the keyway. At least one door is disposed in the housing opening. The door includes an edge for aligning with the keyway in a key insertion position. When a key is pressed against the door, the door moves away from the keyway, providing a key opening in the housing opening for insertion of the key into the keyway. At least one door biasing member engages the door and biases the edge of the door toward the keyway. The door is mounted on a pivot member disposed in the housing opening such that the pivot member and door pivot within the opening when the key is inserted into the keyway and turned in the lock. At least one pivot biasing member engages the pivot member to hold the edge of the door in alignment with the keyway when the keyway is in the key insertion position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Master Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Mike Brojanac, Gary Burmesch, Frank Scott
  • Patent number: 7441430
    Abstract: A device for opening a locked door or drawer, which device comprises; a) means for facilitating the insertion of a key into a lock; and b) means for rotating said key when inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Axis (NE) Limited
    Inventors: Philip William Bull, George Robert Daintree
  • Patent number: 7392675
    Abstract: A slot mechanism having an accommodation space into which an insertion object is inserted through a slot. The slot mechanism includes a shutter located in the accommodation space. The shutter is movable along an insertion direction of the insertion object. When the insertion object is inserted into the accommodation space, the shutter is pressed by the insertion object and moved toward the back of the accommodation space. When the insertion object is removed from the accommodation space, the shutter is moved toward the slot to close the slot. The shutter has a guiding portion that stabilizes the attitude of the insertion object when the insertion object is pressed against the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Shozo Kito
  • Patent number: 7140214
    Abstract: An electromechanical cylinder lock-key combination includes a cylinder housing and a cylinder core rotatably arranged in the cylinder housing and having a key-way for receiving a key. A plurality of key actuated moveable blocking elements block the rotation of the cylinder core unless a correct key is inserted in the key-way. An optical code reader in the lock reads an optical code element provided on an inserted key. At least one of said blocking elements functions as a bar element barring insertion of the key into the key-way unless a correct optical code element is provided on the key. By using at least one of the mechanical elements already present in the lock as part of the electronically controlled blocking mechanism, in combination with the use of an optical code requiring no moveable parts for the reading thereof, space requirements in the lock device are kept to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ruko A/S
    Inventor: Erik Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 6935147
    Abstract: The key with a lock-unlock indicator is operable with a complementary lock set. The key has a body and an elongated key stem extending therefrom. A toggle bar is pivotally mounted or disposed on the key stem. The toggle bar operates in conjunction with a lock cam and an unlock cam mounted on the face of the complementary lock set. When the operator turns the key in one direction, the lock cam motivates the toggle bar thereby shifting its position. An indicator disposed in the key body displaying a lock condition and an unlock condition. The lock cam is shielded with a retractable shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Harold St. Felix
  • Patent number: 6912881
    Abstract: The security reversible key with an assigned cylinder (Z) has a blocking groove (BN) with a coded blocking depth (B1, B2, B3), which runs parallel to the axis of the key (x) from the tip of the key to at least the first position (P1) of a row of tumbler pins (A2) on the key. In the assigned cylinder, at least at the rearmost coding position (P1), a pair of tumbler pins corresponding to the blocking groove (BN) with a blocking tumbler pin (BZ) and an extended blocking counter pin (BG) are foreseen, whereby the blocking counter pin (BG) impinges on the cylinder housing (10), if the blocking groove is insufficiently deep and, with this, the complete insertion of a key with an insufficiently deep blocking groove is blocked by the pair of blocking tumbler pins. Simultaneously, the blocking tumbler pin (BZ) with the counter pin (BG) at the position (P1) also serves as coding tumbler pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Kaba Schliesssysteme AG
    Inventor: Arno Kleinhaeni
  • Patent number: 6843084
    Abstract: A security system for a storage container including a latch assembly disposed on an interior side of a door for latching the door in a closed position with the storage container. A plurality of reciprocating latch elements are included in the latch assembly for latching the door in a closed position with the storage container. A latch actuator included in the latch assembly moves the latch elements to latch the door. A master lock assembly controls operation of the latch actuator by having a first locking part of the master lock assembly interlocking with a second locking part carried by an elongated shaft connected to an operator on the container exterior. A tamper-resistant control blocks access to the master lock assembly from outside the storage container whereby access to the container interior is prevented when the latch assembly is closed and the master lock assembly is in an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Dave Porter
  • Patent number: 6843517
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch has a lever displaceable between a locked position in which the latch is locked and an unlocked position in which the latch is unlocked and a plate carrying the latch and adapted to be exposed at a door edge. The plate is formed with a throughgoing hole, and the lever has a formation exposed at the hole and engageable through the hole to move the lever from the unlocked to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventor: Ludger Graute
  • Patent number: 6782723
    Abstract: A shackle lock includes a lock casing, a lock core received in the lock casing, and a shackle unit which has first and second shackle connecting members extendible into first and second shackle holes in the lock casing and a flexible shackle portion connected to the shackle connecting members at two opposite ends. The first shackle connecting member engages the lock core when the lock core is operated to be in a locking state, and is disengaged from the lock core when the lock core is operated to be in an unlocking state, thereby permitting removal thereof from the lock casing. The second shackle connecting member is provided with a spring-loaded retaining member for engaging the lock casing. The retaining member is accessible with the use of a tool inserted into the first shackle hole after removal of the first shackle connecting member, and is adapted to be actuated by the tool for disengaging from the lock casing in order to permit removal of the second shackle connecting member from the lock casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Waterson Chen
  • Patent number: 6550298
    Abstract: A lockset keyway cover-up mechanism is composed of a rotor, a retainer, a bushing, magnetic pins and springs adapted with a key, which is provided with an unlocking part containing multiples of magnets, characterized by that the keyway and multiples of pinholes to accommodate the springs and those magnetic pins are directly or with a rotor case cover provided on the front end of the rotor; multiples of insertion holes are provided in recess on the retainer so that the retainer holds against the end of the rotor by means of the bushing and those insertion holes of the retainer are held in position by the insertion of those magnetic pins protruding from the front face of the rotor for the through hole of the retainer to be at a location apart from the keyway, which in turn is covered up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Liang-Chin Su
  • Patent number: 6539762
    Abstract: The inventive device comprises a seat which is situated in the device housing and which is provided for the insertion of an identification provider. A holding element located inside the seat engages with a lateral indentation of the identification provider. The opening of the seat is normally closed by a spring-loaded cover element. In order to create a functionally reliable and economic design, the invention provides that the cover element is configured as a pivotal flap which can pivot from the identification provider out of an outwardly pivoted position covering the opening of the seat and into an inwardly pivoted position inside the seat. A projection is provided on the outer side of the flap and functions as a holding element for the identification provider. A recess is arranged next to the seat for the inward pivotal movement of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Wittwer
  • Patent number: 6370929
    Abstract: An apparatus for insertion of a key therein substantially prevents foreign matter from entering into a key insertion hole, and even if foreign matter does enter into the key insertion hole, discharges the foreign matter therefrom. A shutter is provided within the key insertion hole so as to be movable along a direction of insertion of a key. The shutter is always urged by a compression coil spring toward an opening of the insertion hole. In a state in which no key is inserted in the insertion hole, the shutter is urged by the compression coil spring and closes the insertion hole. As a result, foreign matter such as dust or the like can be prevented from entering into the insertion hole. Further, the shutter is provided with a reflecting surface, and when no key is inserted in the insertion hole, the reflecting surface reflects light from a light source so as to illuminate the opening of the insertion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Watanabe, Shoichi Harada, Keiji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6209369
    Abstract: The present invention provides a key actuated cam lock. The cam lock has a corrosion resistant metal cap. A weather resistant plug cap is rotatably mounted in the corrosion resistant metal cap. The weather resistant plug cap has an opening permitting the entry of the key. A plug body is located adjacent to the plug cap. The plug body has a key entering end and a cam actuating end, and a plurality of spring biased disc tumblers engaging the key when the key is inserted into the plug body. The cam lock also has a lock housing so that the plug body is rotatably positioned within the lock housing. The lock housing has at least one limit stop disposed thereon. The plug body has an internal O-ring providing a weather resistant seal located near the cam actuating end of the plug housing. The O-ring is disposed between the cam actuating end of the plug body and the lock housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Royal Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Freck
  • Patent number: 6035680
    Abstract: A combination key lock for a vehicle lock cylinder having a keyhole including two flanges, each having a throughbore, integrally disposed on either side of the keyhole. The throughbores receive the shackle of a conventional padlock. The invention also provides for aftermarket reconfiguration of manufacturer-installed lock cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Betty A. Harris
  • Patent number: 5986563
    Abstract: A digitally programmable protecting mechanism and a programmable key for a mechanical rotary lock for providing enhanced protection and enabling user to change mechanical and electronic security code configuration at any time without involving of special tools. The device includes a mechanical digitally configurable key where the protecting binary code configuration is formed by cylindrical binary coding members put on a central core of the key, and an electronic programmable digital module attached to a mechanical rotary lock for capturing the key code configuration, verifying, and releasing the lock if the verification proves that the key coding configuration and the electronic module coding are matched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Solomon Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5946957
    Abstract: A keyhole-shutter structure includes a cylindrical protector block. An upper portion of the protector block includes an approximately square housing portion. A shutter plate is fitted in the housing portion. A cap is placed on the protector block. The bottom of the housing portion has right and left receiving planes for receiving the shutter plate, and a recess formed between the right and left receiving planes in such a manner as to be curved downwardly. Since a recess is provided between right and left receiving planes for receiving a shutter plate, even if the shutter plate is somewhat deformed, the deformed portion interferes to a lesser extent with the recess. Accordingly, a key can be easily inserted into a keyhole even if the shutter plate is somewhat deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Shinji Goto
  • Patent number: 5916282
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catch for a door, especially a switchboard door, with a lock plate which can be secured to the door and bears a door lock and a bolt cover guided adjustably on the lock plate which can be secured in a position covering the door lock by means of a cover lock. Complete sealing with substantially increased security against unauthorized access to the door lock is attained in that the door lock takes the form of a casement lock and the cover lock that of a cylinder lock, a partial cover is secured to the lock plate which overlaps with the bolt cover in the locked position at the contact point and forms a sealed lock cover, and a cover for the cylinder lock is rotatably fitted on the bolt cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oskar Elm, Udo Munch, Thomas Weber
  • Patent number: 5823025
    Abstract: A lock for a motorcycle has a generally U-shaped construction. The open end of the U is slipped over the brake rotor of the front wheel or the sprocket of the rear wheel of the motorcycle. A bolt then extends across the open end of the U-12 shape to hold the device in place. This bolt is engaged by a spring loaded pin so as to hold it in position. Rotation of the wheels is then prevented by contact between the lock and the brake calipers on the front wheel or the chain or sprocket on the rear wheel. In order to release the bolt, a cam and a spring biasing the pin in the opposite direction are provided so that rotation of the cam allows the pin to be withdrawn from the bolt. The lock includes a lock-out mechanism which prevents the motorcycle from being started when the lock is in place because the lock-out mechanism retains the ignition key. In addition to the lock, a single loop cable can be provided for attachment about a stationary object and received within a channel in the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Sherwood Phifer
  • Patent number: 5819569
    Abstract: A lock with changeable warding positions wherein a rotationally indexable warding member selectively enables one of a multiple of keys for operation of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Rodrick A. Herdman
  • Patent number: 5737948
    Abstract: An access control system for preventing access to underlying fasteners, and otherwise preventing tampering with the underlying control panel. A base plate is affixed to a base that is fastened to the underlying structure with standard fasteners. A cover plate is slidably disposed over the base plate and includes a key operated cylinder plug. The cylinder plug is inserted through the cover plate, base plate and into a receiving aperture in the base. A locking mechanism within the cylinder plug engages the base, and prevents the sliding disposition of the cover plate from the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Jacob Lefkovits
  • Patent number: 5706681
    Abstract: An antitheft locking device has a steering wheel engaging member (30) with an end wall (32) covering the steering wheel (12) over its part that includes at least two ribs (16, 18), a peripheral wall (33) extending over at least a part of the outer periphery of a rim (14) of the steering wheel, and two spaced stops (34) protruding from end wall (32) and engageable with the ribs. A stop member (24) attached to steering wheel engaging member (30) extends at an angle with respect to its end wall (32) and is engageable with a fixed part (26) of a vehicle. A locking mechanism has a lock (60) made fast to steering wheel engaging member (30) and a locking member (72) connected to the steering wheel engaging member for movement to a locked position in which locking member (72) and steering wheel engaging member (30) fully enclose rim (14) of steering wheel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Mark Gorokhovsky
  • Patent number: 5680095
    Abstract: A security apparatus for buildings, vehicles and the like includes a switch mounted adjacent to a closure access member. A housing mounted adjacent to the closure access member receives a member movable between first and second positions. When the movable member is in the first position, a magnet mounted in the member is disposed in close proximity to the switch to magnetically move the switch contact to an open position. When the movable member is moved to a second position, the magnet is magnetically decoupled from the switch enabling the switch contact to close to ground completing a circuit to activating the alarm. In another embodiment, the magnet is mounted in a body. A rod extends from the body and carries a holder and a lock cylinder engagement member at another end. The lock cylinder engagement member is releasibly insertible into a lock cylinder to position the magnet adjacent to a switch mounted on the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Gordon Hartunian
    Inventor: Faris Nassouri
  • Patent number: 5467624
    Abstract: An improved dust shutter assembly for locks includes a floating hinge point which decreases the amount of axial key force that is necessary to overcome the spring bias in the dust shutter mechanism. When engaged by a key, the spring retention pin (hinge point) of the dust shutter mechanism moves within the pin slots of the lock plug cavity until it bottoms out against the back of these slots. Pin translation is primarily axial, in the direction of key insertion, which partially unloads the spring and reduces the amount of key force that is required to open the shutter door. Since less key force is necessary, a narrower shutter door can be used. The chief advantage of a narrower shutter door includes a corresponding reduction in the size and length of the entire lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Fort Lock Corporation
    Inventor: Gary L. Myers
  • Patent number: 5410898
    Abstract: A lock device includes a lock body with a lock shell, a key plug received in the lock shell, and an anti-dusting cover assembly secured on a front end of the lock shell. The key plug has a front end which is formed with a recess that has an end wall which is formed with a keyhole. The cover assembly includes a cover plate with a key slot that is aligned with the keyhole, and an anti-dusting plate mounted pivotally to a rear wall surface of the cover plate. A magnet is mounted on a rear wall surface of the anti-dusting plate. A magnetic conductor is provided on the front end of the key plug in a pivoting direction of the anti-dusting plate. A magnetic reed switch is provided on the lock shell and is normally disposed adjacent to the magnetic conductor. The magnetic reed switch is activated by the magnet via the magnetic conductor when the anti-dusting plate pivots rearwardly to locate the magnet adjacent to the magnetic conductor due to insertion of an article into the keyhole of the key plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Gary Shieh
  • Patent number: 5388435
    Abstract: To prevent the unauthorized unlocking of van doors equipped with safety rod locks, the lever of the safety rod lock is held to the door by a retainer clip. The retainer clip has an extending tongue with apertures in it that passes through the door into the van. In the van, there is a dead bolt which may be actuated by a key cylinder inserted from outside the van through the door to cause the dead bolt to enter an aperture and lock the extending tongue of the retainer and hold the retainer in place so that the lever cannot be moved to unlock the safety rod lock. A second key actuated member or solenoid actuated member is actuated to move a cam in front of the first key slot so that it cannot be unlocked until the second cam lever is moved out of the way. Thus, a sequence must be followed using two different actuating means to unlock the door or lock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Verdure Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5309743
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a door unlocking device adapted unlock a door by transmitting a signal in the air through a signal transmitter, which can unlock the door even when the power source of the signal transmitter, namely, the battery has consumed up. With a door unlocking device, upon insertion of an ignition key into the rotor of a key cylinder, a shutter is opened to operate a shutter switch. Under this condition, the rotor is turned in opposite directions from the neutral position according to a predetermined rotor turning pattern. The rotor turning pattern is discriminated by a rotor-turning-pattern discriminating circuit. Ensuring that the rotor turning pattern is the one predetermined for unlocking the door, the rotor-turning-pattern discriminating circuit activates an electric operating mechanism to cause a lock mechanism to unlock the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Sadao Kokubu, Hisashi Aoki, Yoshiyuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 5307658
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a key cylinder device which is simple in structure and is able to positively detect the presence or absence of the key. In a key cylinder device, a key cylinder body incorporates a rotor having a key inserting inlet, and a shutter made of a magnetic material is swingably mounted in the rotor to open and close the key inserting inlet, the shutter being urged by a spring to close the key inserting inlet. When the shutter is held closed, the magnetic force of a permanent magnet acts on a normally closed lead switch to hold the switch open. When the shutter is swung open by the key being inserted into the key inserting inlet, it covers the permanent magnet, thus interrupting the action of the magnetic force of the permanent magnet on the lead switch. As a result, the reed switch closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Sadao Kokubu, Hisashi Aoki, Yoshiyuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 5195342
    Abstract: An access cover plate is secured to a door by tamper-proof fasteners. A hole in the cover plate is concentric with a cylinder lock keyhole and provides access for the key and actuation of the primary lock. The cover plate access hole is closed off by a removable threaded plug which engages female threads in the hole of the cover plate. When secured in place, the plug is forcibly tightened against the face of the cylinder lock. The plug includes a recessed, tamper-proof wrenchable socket which permits removal of the plug only by a specially designed socket wrench. The tamper-proof socket has a polygonal wall and an axial guard pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Louis Werner
  • Patent number: 4884424
    Abstract: A mortise cylinder lock guard for providing protection to a mortise cylinder lock when installed in a door includes a collar for situating between a front face of the lock and the door and substantially surrounding the lock at an outer periphery thereof. A cover is attached to the collar to substantially cover and prevent access to a keyhole of the lock. A hinge attaches the collar and the cover together to allow the cover to be moved between an open and a closed position, the open position permitting access to the keyhole and the closed position preventing access to the keyhole. A hasp is coupled to the collar and the cover for permitting locking of the cover in a closed position by use of a padlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Inventor: David R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4881391
    Abstract: A movable cover device for an automobile lock, comprising a plate supporting the lock operating actuator and fixed to a wall of an automobile compartment, and a cover pivoted on the plate, the device having in the cover an area substantially equal to that of the plate and is provided with a pivot substantially orthogonal to its wall and rotatably supported by a bush which is rigid with the plate and is also orthogonal to its wall, so that the walls of the plate and of the cover are in contact, at least when they are completely superposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Alfa Lancia Industriale S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ezio Villa, Giuseppe Biazzi
  • Patent number: 4843853
    Abstract: Apparatus for securely locking the cabinet of a vending machine to prevent unauthorized access to the coin box and/or product being vended. The cabinet comprises a box-like housing having an access door hinged along one edge to a side wall of the cabinet. The opposite side wall from the one carrying the hinge includes a plurality of spaced-apart tubular members either integrally formed with the side wall or welded thereto along a length dimension thereof. Likewise, the edge of the door panel opposite the hinge also has spaced-apart tubular members along its length. The spacing between the tubular members on the cabinet's side panel and the door edge are such that when the door is closed, the tubes are longitudinally aligned with one another. An aperture is formed in the bottom wall in general alignment with the tubular members on the side panel allowing a locking rod to be inserted upwards through the aperture and into the central openings of the aligned tubes utilizing a special tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Protocol, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Bobert, C. Roger Van Horn
  • Patent number: 4838059
    Abstract: A hinged cover encloses a projecting portion of a deadbolt lock, the projecting portion having a keyhole therein. The cover includes two shells, each having an inwardly directed flange thereon. By means of a retainer unit provided with a groove, the flanges are received in the groove to prevent removal of the cover when an auxillary lock is employed to keep the cover in its mated relationship so as to conceal the projecting portion of the deadbolt lock and the keyhole contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Gordon E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4773242
    Abstract: A deck lid latch has a rotatable clock cylinder accessible through an escutcheon having a pivotally mounted cover. A detent is effective upon movement of the cover to the open position to hold the cover in the open position. The detent is released in response to rotation of the lock cylinder so that the cover is moved to the closed position by a bias spring. A gear is rotatably mounted on the escutcheon and has gear teeth meshing with gear teeth displayed on the cover in an arcuate path about the pivot axis of the cover so that pivotal movement of the cover rotates the gear. A viscous damper is associated with the gear to retard rotary movement of the gear and thereby retard the closing movement of the cover in a time delayed fashion which gives the operator time to withdraw the key and his fingers from proximity with the spring biased cover prior to the cover reaching the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis E. Smith
  • Patent number: 4732024
    Abstract: A security lock for a door or other closure in which it is desired to control access therethrough. More specifically, the invention relates to the addition of a tube rigidly affixed to a lock cylinder in enclosing relation to the key barrel and the key receiving slot in the barrel with the tube including a pair of diametrically opposed openings so that a padlock may be inserted therethrough to prevent access to the key slot in the barrel thereby preventing the insertion of a key and also preventing access to the slot to prevent the lock from being picked. The key used with the lock requires an extension in the shank or blade of the key so that the extra length required by the added tube will be accommodated by the extension in the key blade or shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: David Nagy
  • Patent number: 4723428
    Abstract: A cylinder lock with a cover that is held open with first and second engaging members during the time that a key is inserted in the lock. The lock further includes a mechanism for disabling the operation of a remote lock release device upon rotation in a predetermined direction of a key in the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Noboru Yamaguchi