Operators With Knobs Or Handles Patents (Class 292/336.3)
  • Patent number: 11988025
    Abstract: The invention relates to a concealed door handle and a vehicle. The concealed door handle comprises: a handle body; a handle base fixed in a body of a vehicle, the handle body being concealed in the handle base, and the handle body being rotatably connected to the handle base; and a deployment microswitch arranged on the handle base and configured to detect a deployed position of the handle body and to maintain communication with a vehicle control module, wherein when the deployment microswitch jumps from a triggered state into an untriggered state, the deployment microswitch sends an input signal for unlocking an electronic lock to the vehicle control module. The concealed door handle of the invention has a simple structure and low costs, and a signal source can be arranged in a limited structural space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: NIO TECHNOLOGY (ANHUI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yanzhou Yang, Ke Shen, Ping Ai
  • Patent number: 11989040
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling vehicle movement comprises processing means configured to receive first signals from a receiving means arranged to receive transmitted signals from a remote control device indicating a requested motion of the vehicle. From the first signals or an additional signal received from a sensing means, one or more distance values indicative of a distance from a point on the vehicle to an object is determined, and a maximum speed value for the vehicle is determine in dependence on the one or more distance values. The processing means provides an output signal for controlling speed of the vehicle based on the requested motion. The output signal is arranged to control the speed of the vehicle to be less than or equal to the maximum speed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Cund, Martyn Lathbury, Allan Howling, Paul Widdowson, Colin Teed, Parvinder Devgun, Tony Davis
  • Patent number: 11959311
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a bracket, a handle, and a clip. The handle, with the bracket mounted at an exterior door handle region of a vehicular door, is movable relative to the bracket by a user to actuate a latch mechanism for opening the door. The clip is attached at the bracket and engages a pivot end of the handle when the pivot end is inserted into the bracket, and retains the pivot end of the handle at the bracket when the pivot end of the handle is engaged with a pivot element of the bracket. The clip (i) limits movement of the handle relative to the bracket in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the bracket or handle, (ii) allows pivotal movement of the handle about the pivot element of the bracket, and (iii) allows for removal of the handle from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Ruse, Brett A. Gorby
  • Patent number: 11952809
    Abstract: An actuating device (1) for a lock of a vehicle, which is arranged, or can be arranged, on a vehicle, wherein the actuating device (1) has an actuating component (10), which is to be grasped manually and which can be brought from a stowed position into a standby position, wherein the stowed position is a position in which the actuating component (10) to be grasped is stowed and wherein the standby position is a position in which the actuating component can be grasped by a user, wherein the actuating component (10) is operatively connected, or can be operatively connected, to at least the lock of the vehicle in such a way that the lock can be opened by actuating the actuating component. A vehicle door having such an actuating device and a vehicle having such a vehicle door are also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Roland Och, Joachim Oberst
  • Patent number: 11933080
    Abstract: A closing system for a door or hatch of a motor vehicle includes: a bearing piece and a cylinder lock situated on the bearing piece, the cylinder lock having a cylinder bushing and a cylinder core; and a locking clamp which is held on the bearing piece, engages the cylinder bushing from behind and has a holding lug which is oriented parallel to the cylinder bushing, a fastening screw passing through the holding lug, and the tip of the screw lying in a receiving depression in the cylinder bushing in order to preload the locking clamp against the cylinder bushing. A protective element rests on an outer side of the bearing piece and has at least one retaining lug which is oriented parallel to the cylinder bushing, and the fastening screw also passes through the retaining lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengsellschaft
    Inventors: Larissa Ludmann, Arne Behrens, Joerg Lederer, Swantje Schick, Oliver Mix
  • Patent number: 11933069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking arrangement for a switch cabinet, having a switch cabinet door which has on its inside a push-rod lock which projects through the switch cabinet door to the front side of the switch cabinet door via a coupling piece, wherein an actuating member is fixed to the front side via a handle adapter and is coupled to the coupling piece, for which purpose the switch cabinet door has at least one adapter plate, onto which the handle adapter is placed in a form-fitting manner via at least one aperture, the adapter plate having, on its side facing the actuating member, a fastening element, by means of which the actuating member is fixed to the adapter plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: RITTAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jacob Herr, Carsten Bäumer
  • Patent number: 11926196
    Abstract: A handle device for a vehicle includes a handle body, a latch release lever, a door latch device, an electric actuator and a push portion forming member. The handle body moves between an initial position, a pop-up position and to a latch operation position. The door latch device is released by the latch release lever rotating to a latch release position. The push portion forming member moves from an initial corresponding position to a latch operation corresponding position and has a lever push portion to, when the push portion forming member is at the latch operation corresponding position, rotate the latch release lever to the latch release position. The push portion forming member has a restriction wall to prevent, when the push portion forming member is between the initial corresponding position and a pop-up corresponding position, the latch release lever from rotating toward the latch release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Toyama
  • Patent number: 11918114
    Abstract: A drawer assembly includes a member having a first locking element. A drawer includes a frame and a handle having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the frame. The second portion is coupled to the first portion. A drawer release includes a first end and a second end and is rotatably coupled to the drawer. The first end includes a second locking element. The second portion is rotatable relative to the first portion to move the drawer release between a first orientation in which the second locking element directly engages the first locking element to prevent the drawer from translating relative to the member and a second orientation in which the second locking element is spaced apart from the first locking element to allow the drawer to translate relative to the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: DEJANA TRUCK AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
    Inventor: Charles L. Hanley
  • Patent number: 11920373
    Abstract: An embodiment door outside handle assembly includes a door lock body configured to be attached to an outside of a door panel of a vehicle, a grip cover covering an outside of the door lock body and including a key hole configured to receive an emergency key, and a door lock cap on an outside of the grip cover, the door lock cap being slidable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to cover or uncover the key hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Hong-Mi Kim, Myeong-Rok Choi
  • Patent number: 11913261
    Abstract: A handle base bracket has a first handle receiving section and a fastener opening that extends through the first handle receiving section. In a fully assembled state the outboard surface of the handle base bracket overlays a portion of an inboard surface of a door panel. A first fastener member extends through the first handle opening and into the fastener opening. A head portion overlays a portion of the outboard surface of the door panel adjacent to the first handle opening. A metallic bracket has a main section fixedly attached to the handle base bracket. First and second side flanges of the metallic bracket extend toward the inboard surface of the door panel. An operation handle has a grip portion outboard of the door panel and a protrusion extending into the first handle receiving section of the handle base bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshio Muta, David Kovie, Richard Dryja, Mahiuddin Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11905737
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides an electric lock, comprising: (a) a knob; (b) a lock body; (c) a rotatable shaft comprising a rotatable-shaft front end and an opposing rotatable-shaft rear end, wherein the rotatable-shaft rear end is fixedly connected to the lock body to control a locking and unlocking of the lock body; (d) a gear assembly comprising a gear and a movable piece with a common axis center; and (e) a motor assembly for driving the gear to rotate. The knob and the rotatable shaft are connected via the movable piece; the movable piece interacts with the gear via a mechanical barrier, such that electrically driving the gear by the motor assembly causes the movable piece to rotate; and the movable piece can pass over the mechanical barrier when a sufficient rotational force is applied to the knob, such that the movable piece is free to rotate relative to the gear, thereby allowing a user to manually control the locking and unlocking of the lock body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CONSUMER 2.0 INC.
    Inventors: Zhong Liang, Xuefeng Gu
  • Patent number: 11897320
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a belt structure and a rigid handle having a rigid base and a rigid outer grip portion. The rigid outer grip portion includes a portion that is spaced apart from the base to form a gap. The base of the handle is rigidly connected to the belt structure whereby the outer grip portion of the handle does not move relative to the belt structure. The vehicle door may include a powered door opening mechanism that moves a portion of the door away from a vehicle body when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Francis Raymond Gillis, Rajesh K. Patel, Thomas Michael Herline
  • Patent number: 11885158
    Abstract: A vehicular door actuation system for a door of a vehicle includes a handle assembly, a latch and an actuator. The handle assembly includes a handle portion and a base portion. The base portion is disposed at the door of the vehicle and the handle portion is movable between a recessed position, where the handle portion nests at least partially in the base portion, and a ready position, where the handle portion extends from the base portion. The actuator is disposed at the door of the vehicle separate and remote from the handle assembly. A handle linkage operatively couples operation of the actuator to the handle portion to move the handle portion from the recessed position to the ready position. The latch mechanism latches the door in a closed state, and unlatches the door responsive to a user pulling the handle portion from the ready position to open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Francesco Cumbo, Franco Ottino
  • Patent number: 11885167
    Abstract: Emergency actuating device, especially for vehicle doors, is provided. The device includes: a support base; a manual actuation element adapted to assume rest and actuation configurations; an electromagnetically driven locking mechanism adapted to lock the actuation element in its rest configuration; a protective shell adapted to assume a closed configuration in which the shell isolates the actuation element from the outer environment when the actuation element is in its rest configuration, and makes it impossible to reach the actuation element with a hand, and an open configuration, in which the actuation element can be reached with a hand to be brought from the rest configuration to the actuation configuration and vice versa; and an opening sensor adapted to generate an electric signal indicative of the open configuration of the protective shell, the signal being processable by an electronic control unit for controlling locking and/or unlocking of the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Claudia Bonetto, Claudio Bonetto, Paola Bonetto, Oriana Pampolini
  • Patent number: 11885151
    Abstract: A keycam assembly including a rotatable member, a stem, a locking member coupled to the stem for joint longitudinal movement therewith, and a cam driver. The rotatable member includes an aperture. A proximal end portion of the stem is rotatably seated in the rotatable member and defines a cam track. The locking member extends between the aperture and the cam track. The cam track includes a first passage including a locking pocket, a second passage including an unlocking pocket, a first ramped passage including a locking ramp extending from the second passage to the locking pocket, and a second ramped passage including an unlocking ramp extending from the first passage to the unlocking pocket. Relative rotation of the rotatable member and the stem causes the cam driver to travel along the track to thereby cause movement of the locking member between a locking position and an unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Pradeepkumar Balasubramaniam, Harikrishnan Mannattil, Sundar Raj Dore Vasudevan
  • Patent number: 11883234
    Abstract: A probe cable support (146) includes a leg (202) with a top side (208) and a bottom side (210). The leg further includes a plurality of supports (2161, 2162, . . . , 216N) protruding from the bottom side and intermittently arranged with non-zero gaps there between. The leg further includes an arm (226) protruding from the top side. A system (101) includes an ultrasound imaging system (100) configured with at least one probe (102) and a console (104), a cable (116) configured to electrically connect the probe and the console, a cart (106) configured to support the ultrasound imaging system, and a probe cable support (146) configured to support the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: BK Medical Aps
    Inventor: Paul G. Wood
  • Patent number: 11879276
    Abstract: A door handle device for a vehicle includes a handle base including an inertia stopper and an operation handle including a stopper protruding portion. The operation handle is movable from an initial position to a use position and to a latch operation position. The inertia stopper has two stopper surfaces and is to rotate from a standby position to a regulation position due to inertia when a collision force is applied to the vehicle. The stopper protruding portion includes a first stopper to, when the operation handle is at the initial position, limit a movement of the operation handle toward the use position by abutting against one of the stopper surfaces, and a second stopper to, when the operation handle is at the use position, limit the movement of the operation handle toward the latch operation position by abutting against another one of the stopper surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takao Toyama
  • Patent number: 11879270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-barricade door handle assembly which comprises an integrated auxiliary door handle for use in an emergency. The auxiliary door handle can be configured between a stowed configuration and an activated configuration. The auxiliary door handle is operable to operate a lock when in the activated configuration and inoperable when in the stowed configuration. The auxiliary door handle can only be configured to the activated configuration by an authorized user. The auxiliary door handle is configured to override a primary door handle which operates the lock in normal, non-emergency use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SAFEHINGE PRIMERA LIMITED
    Inventors: Max Szczerkowski, Martin Izod, Shaun Ridley
  • Patent number: 11873667
    Abstract: A door handle and locking system includes a base, a latching mechanism, a handle, a safety latch mechanism, and a biasing member having a biasing force. The latching mechanism is movable from a latched position to an unlatched position. The handle is connected to the base and is movable in response to a first force from a first position to a second position. Moving the handle from the first position to the second position moves the latching mechanism from the latched position to the unlatched position. The safety latch mechanism moves from a first position to a second position upon application of a force to the biasing member exceeding the biasing force. The safety latch mechanism remains in the first position upon movement of the handle from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Global Link Distribution, Corp.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Waites
  • Patent number: 11866964
    Abstract: A door handle arrangement for a vehicle includes a housing which is fastenable to a body part of a vehicle body, and a handle lever which is mounted in a handle cutout of the housing so as to be movable between an inoperative position and an actuating position in order to unlock and/or open a vehicle door. The handle lever is mounted with play in the housing. At least one compensating element is provided which is designed to be fastened to at least one fastening portion of the body part. The compensating element forms at least one contact portion for the handle lever. The handle lever is pretensioned into its inoperative position against the at least one contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Zsolt Wilke, Matthias Seubert, Roland Och, Brian Svec
  • Patent number: 11859415
    Abstract: A door handle assembly intended to be mounted on a door of a motor vehicle and its mounting/dismounting method includes a handle linked to a base via a an arm slidably mounted in a housing of the base and including a hook at one of its ends, an actuation device including a first lever engaging the hook, the actuation of the handle causing the sliding of the hook of the arm of the handle and the displacement of the first lever of the actuation device toward the outside of the base along a sliding axis and the actuation of the door opening mechanism to open the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: U-SHIN ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Savant, Anthony Guerin
  • Patent number: 11851919
    Abstract: A door handle includes a door handle case and an electrostatic sensor provided in the door handle case. The electrostatic sensor includes a detection electrode that is formed of a flat conductor plate, or that is formed on a surface of a flat substrate or within a flat substrate. The detection electrode includes a middle portion in a longitudinal direction of the detection electrode and includes peripheral portions proximal to both end portions of the detection electrode in the longitudinal direction. For a width of the detection electrode in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, each peripheral portion is wider than the middle portion, and the width of the detection electrode gradually increases toward each end portion in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Nakamura, Takashi Sasaki, Yoshiyuki Kikuchi, Yuzuru Kawana, Heishiro Fudo, Yukimitsu Yamada, Hiroshi Shigetaka
  • Patent number: 11834872
    Abstract: A vehicle door opening assembly adopting three positions: a hidden position, a ready position, and a release position. Guiding means comprising a slider support a handling element and can be moved by elastic means from the hidden position into the ready position. The slider is movable in translation from the hidden/retracted position, in which the slider and the handling element are contained in a release mechanism sheath, to the ready/deployed position when the elastic means are released. The handling element is fixed to the slider so as to be rotatable between a position coaxial with the slider and an inclined position protruding laterally from the release mechanism sheath. Secondary elastic means cause the handling element to rotate in a visible inclined position when the slider reaches the ready/deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: U-Shin Italia S.p.A
    Inventors: Anthony Guerin, Manu Sharma, Sachin Sharma
  • Patent number: 11828091
    Abstract: A structure of preventing door opening in vehicle collision may include a handle housing including a housing stopper, a door handle rotatably mounted around a door handle rotation axis on the handle housing, and of which a rotation contact end portion formed at one end portion thereof, and a blocking lever assembly including a blocking lever rotatably coupled to the handle housing and having an inertia portion formed on a portion of the blocking lever, and an assist lever selectively protruded from the blocking lever, wherein, when the blocking lever assembly is rotated by an external impact applied to the blocking lever assembly, the assist lever protrudes out of the blocking lever to be caught by the housing stopper and positioned in a movement path of the rotation contact end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jungho Han, Jinwoo Nam, Kyoung Taek Kwak, Dong Jun Kim, Do Won Sung
  • Patent number: 11821238
    Abstract: A push pad exit device comprising a horizontal push bar actuator mechanically linked to a vertical door handle assembly, for use on the interior side of entrance doors where a means of emergency egress is desired, is presented. The operating mechanisms of the push bar actuator and vertical door handle assembly are concealed presenting a smooth uncluttered appearance. In one mode of operation, the push pad actuator may be moved inwards towards the door face causing the door to unlatch. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a “dogging feature” which locks the push bar actuator in the unlatched position. In this mode of operation the door is unlatched and the push pad actuator may be used as a fixed door handle. The push pad exit device may also be equipped with a keyed lock on an external face of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: C.R. LAURENCE CO., INC.
    Inventor: Gary Sprague
  • Patent number: 11821245
    Abstract: A door handle arrangement may have a carrier element, a handle element, which is movably arranged on the carrier element between a non-use position and a use position, and an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the handle element relative to the carrier element. The adjusting mechanism may have at least one lever and a cam carrier having at least one main cam for the controlled movement of the handle element between the non-use position and the use position. The main cam may interact with a cam counter surface arranged on the lever and may have a variable curve shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Witte Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Herdering, Zdenek Slovan
  • Patent number: 11820484
    Abstract: Aircraft door (1) having an inside door opening lever (6) coupled to a vent flap (5) by a conditional opening mechanism having two modes and including a flap stop (20) to cooperate with a stop surface (21). The stop (20) has a first trajectory, the stop surface (21) being arranged outside this first trajectory of the flap stop (20). The stop (20) has a second trajectory, the stop surface (21) being arranged on this second trajectory of the flap stop (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LATECOERE
    Inventors: Fabian Louvel, Denis Chabot
  • Patent number: 11788324
    Abstract: An outer handle device for a vehicle door includes: an outer handle having a supported portion on one end part thereof in a longitudinal direction; a support member having paired leg portions sandwiching the supported portion from opposite sides; and a base having paired support side walls sandwiching the leg portions from opposite sides. The supported portion is pivotably supported on the support member attached to the base by the leg portion engaging with the support side wall. A restriction device is provided between the supported portion and the support member, the restriction device restricting displacement of the support member toward a side on which engagement of the support member with the base is released at least when pulling the outer handle. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain a state in which the support member is attached to the base, even when the outer handle is forcibly pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Tatsuya Ooyama, Yasuhiro Saitou
  • Patent number: 11767690
    Abstract: A door handle module for a movable part of a vehicle, in particular for a side door, tailgate, bonnet or luggage compartment hatch, comprising a handle support that can be mounted on the outer skin of the movable part, a handle mounted movably on the handle support and having an operating mechanism that can be hidden at least in part by the outer skin, the operating mechanism being operatively connectable to a latch or a latch drive so that an, in particular mechanical, operation of the latch of the movable part can be performed, and further comprising a sensor unit having at least one sensor element in order to detect a user intention in an operating region of a door handle depression of the movable part so that the lock or the latch drive is electrically actuatable in the operating region in the event that a user intention is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Marco Eggert
  • Patent number: 11746575
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a base portion and a handle portion. A bellcrank link pivotally connects the swing end of the handle portion to a bellcrank. An actuator engages a portion of a crank to impart pivotal movement of the crank to cause the crank to pivot relative to the base portion and move the handle portion from a recessed position toward a deployed position. When the handle portion is at the recessed position, the base end of the handle portion is manually movable inward to cause the swing end of the handle portion to move outward from the base portion to move the handle portion towards a manually deployed position without operation of the motor. A crank locking mechanism that limits pivotal movement of the crank when the handle portion is in the manually deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Connor G. Cervone, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Patent number: 11725426
    Abstract: A vehicle door locking device includes a case fixed to a door, a latch that locks a striker, a ratchet that holds the latch in the latching orientation, and shifts the latch from the latching orientation to the unlatching orientation, an outer handle lever that is rotated in conjunction with an opening operation, and an inertia part that maintains the orientation of the inertial part while being urged by an urging member, and that, when an external force from the one end side toward the other end side of the vehicle body, restricts rotation of the outer handle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUI KINZOKU ACT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Taichiro Nagata, Yasuhiro Kubota
  • Patent number: 11725431
    Abstract: A lever is configured to be rotatable around a rotational support axis among a storage position where the lever is flush with a door outer panel, a gripping position where the lever is projected from the door outer panel by driving of a driving unit so that a user is able to grip the lever, and an open position where the lever is further projected from said gripping position. The driving unit is fixed in an opposite area of a hinge arm which is opposite, relative to the rotational support axis, to an area of the hinge arm where the lever is arranged. The above-described area of the hinge arm where the lever is arranged and the driving unit are provided to face each other relative to the rotational support axis when the lever takes the storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Moriyama, Eisuke Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 11713595
    Abstract: A door lock chassis has a gauge insert that defines different dimensions corresponding to different door thicknesses. The gauge insert is positionable in the lock chassis in different orientations corresponding to the different dimensions used to align the lock chassis for different door thicknesses. Additionally, a door lock may include an anti-rotation assembly for preventing rotation of the lock chassis. The anti-rotation assembly may include a retention member that is secured to an inside hub of a lock chassis. As an anti-rotation member is displaced in a first axial direction along the inside hub to a mount position, the anti-rotational member may deflect resilient members of the retention member. With the anti-rotation member at the mounted position, the anti-rotation member may be in a frictional engagement with the previously deflected resilient members so that anti-rotation member is retained at the mount position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian E. Walls, Rich D. Shelinbarger, Scott D. Welsby, Peter Malenkovic
  • Patent number: 11708710
    Abstract: A glove compartment lock device includes: a base member attached to a glove compartment; a knob member supported by the base member so as to be rotatable around a shaft portion between a closed position and an opened position; an arm member supported at a center portion in a longitudinal direction thereof by the base member so as to be swingable between a locked position and an unlocked position of the glove compartment and configured to come into contact with the knob member at one end portion thereof; and a spring member locked at one end portion thereof to the knob member, locked at another end portion thereof to another end portion of the arm member, and configured to generate a biasing force that rotates the knob member to the closed position and swings the arm member to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Takai
  • Patent number: 11699912
    Abstract: A data reading system for predicting the removal of a data reader from a charging base unit based on the approach of a user's hand. The data reading system includes a data reader with a power supply, a base unit configured to receive the data reader and to charge the power supply of the data reader responsive to the data reader being coupled to the base unit, a sensor configured to detect the approach of a user's hand, and a processor in operable communication with the sensor and the data reader or the base unit. The processor is configured to apply an appropriate action, such as adjust an amount of current used to charge the power supply of the data reader in the base unit responsive to the sensor detecting the approach of the user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luca Stanzani, Riccardo Rosso, Simone Stefanini, Mauro Pecorari
  • Patent number: 11686133
    Abstract: The opening control includes a handle pivotally mounted on a support prone to adopt a pushed position, an intermediate rest position and an ejected position as well as electrical and mechanical means for driving in movement the handle and coupled with the handle of the vehicle such that the application of a predefined force on the handle causes the mechanical or electrical activation. It includes a hard point crossing means configured to define a pattern of evolution of a value of a force applied on the handle as a function of a push-in stroke of the handle between its rest position and the pushed position, including a crossing of a hard point separating first and second portions of the stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: AKWEL VIGO SPAIN SL
    Inventors: Delmiro Javier Couto Maquieira, Alberto Diez Estevez, Javier Casal Gomez, Jose Oscar Vazquez Carballo, Julio Garcia Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11686126
    Abstract: A method of controlling a lock mechanism of an active door includes transiting an access controller of the lock mechanism to an authorized access mode and transitioning the access controller from the authorized access mode to an entry mode. Transitioning the access controller to the authorized access mode is in response to an authorized user being sensed approaching the active door from an exterior side of the active door or in response to input on a remote device. In the authorized access mode, an exterior handle of the active door is decoupled from a main latch of the lock mechanism. Transitioning the access controller to the entry mode is in response to sensed contact with the exterior handle. In the entry mode, the exterior handle is capable of rotating to transition the access controller to an unlocked mode in which the exterior handle is operably coupled to the main latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Endura Products, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Simon, Tomasz Jaskiewicz
  • Patent number: 11680743
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a door opening device and a handle assembly including a handle body and a handle cover assembled with each other. The handle body may have a structure for rotating the handle assembly, and when the handle cover is coupled to the handle body, the handle cover may constitute at least a portion of a surface of the handle body. Additionally, a driving arm may be provided in the handle cover and configured to push a push rod while the driving arm rotates with the handle body. The driving arm is made of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young Hun Son
  • Patent number: 11674342
    Abstract: A door silencing mechanism and methods to eliminate latch noise associated with a door latch having a spring latch bolt and a bolt housing are described. This mechanism and methods can include an actuator having a first end and a second end and moveable between a first position and a second position. This mechanism can also include a device coupled to the first end of the actuator to maintain the spring latch bolt within a bolt housing using the second end of the actuator when the device holds the actuator in the first position and to release the spring latch bolt from within the bolt housing by moving the second end of the actuator in response to the actuator moving to the second position in response to contact with a doorjamb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel Joseph Riel
  • Patent number: 11661762
    Abstract: A retractable handle arrangement includes a handle movable between stowed and deployed states, a motor and transmission mechanism arranged to couple the motor to the handle for moving the handle from the stowed state to the deployed state when the motor is driven in a first direction, and to modulate the force exerted on the handle and the speed at which the handle is deployed as the handle travels from the stowed state to the deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Sean Smart
  • Patent number: 11661767
    Abstract: A drawer assembly includes a member having a first locking element. A drawer includes a frame and a handle. The handle includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is coupled to the frame. The second portion is coupled to the first portion. A drawer release includes a first end and a second end. The drawer release is rotatably coupled to the drawer. The first end includes a second locking element. The second portion is rotatable relative to the first portion to move the drawer release from a first orientation in which the second locking element directly engages the first locking element to prevent the drawer from sliding relative to the member to a second orientation in which the second locking element is spaced apart from the first locking element to allow the drawer to slide relative to the member. Systems and methods of use are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DEJANA TRUCK AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
    Inventor: Charles L. Hanley
  • Patent number: 11649659
    Abstract: A mechanism for opening a vehicle door, comprising: a door opening component for opening the vehicle door, a cover plate, and a first fixed rotational axle. The door opening component is disposed in an operating cavity. The cover plate covers the operating cavity such that the cover plate is concealed in the door. The first fixed rotational axle is mounted adjacent to the operating cavity. A side edge of the cover plate is mounted on the first fixed rotational axle such that when an external force is applied to the cover plate, the cover plate is rotatable about the first fixed rotational axle to enter the operating cavity such that the door opening component is accessible to an operator via the operating cavity to open the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Chen, Wenquan Sha
  • Patent number: 11624218
    Abstract: An electronic handle for a vehicle door includes a bracket, a grip movably mounted on the bracket between a first position and a second position, the grip configured to move from the first position to the second position when a pulling force is applied on the grip by a user, a magnetic retainer configured to hold the grip in the first position, an electronic system configured to electronically cooperate with a latch for opening the vehicle door when activated in a first configuration corresponding to a normal use, and a back-up system configured to cooperate with the latch for opening the vehicle door when activated in a second configuration corresponding to an emergency or a lack of electrical power. The electronic system is configured to activate in response to a detection of a pulling force applied on the grip that is lower than a predetermined force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: U-Shin Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Anthony Guerin, Massimo Frattini
  • Patent number: 11607932
    Abstract: The opening control device includes a fixed support configured to be mounted on the door leaf, a handle movably mounted on the support, a mechanism for electrical and mechanical activation of an unlocking of a latch of the motor vehicle door leaf respectively for electrically and mechanically actuating the unlocking of the latch, the mechanism being mechanically coupled with the handle of the vehicle such that the application of a predefined pulling force on the handle causes the electrical or mechanical activation of the unlocking of the latch. The activation mechanism includes a first lever for electrical activation of the latch and a second lever for mechanical activation of the latch movably mounted relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: AKWEL VIGO SPAIN SL
    Inventors: Delmiro Javier Couto Maquieira, Alberto Diez Estevez, Javier Casal Gomez, Javier Gonzalez Novo
  • Patent number: 11597270
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for opening and closing a cover in or on a vehicle has a blocking device for blocking the cover in a locked position. The blocking device has a transmission mechanism with a rotation part (64.1; 50) mounted rotatably and driveable by an actuator (34), and a blocking bar (62) which is operatively connected to the rotation part. The transmission mechanism converts a rotation movement of the rotation part into an axial movement of the blocking bar. The blocking bar is transferable with the aid of the rotation part from a release position into a blocking position. The transmission mechanism is self-locking so that, at least whenever the blocking bar is in the blocking position, the rotation part is not driveable via an axial movement of the blocking bar, and the rotation part prevents an axial movement of the blocking bar out of the blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Matthias Hegwein, Jan Dvorak
  • Patent number: 11591831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle door handle (1), comprising a handle frame (5) to be attached on a vehicle door panel (100), handle lever (3) with a total length L movable with respect to the handle frame (5) between at least one rest position (F, R) and an opening position (O) in rotation around a handle lever axis (A) at one of its longitudinal ends, said handle lever (3) having an axially protruding axial finger (35), characterized in that it further comprises a kinematic lever (37), rotatively mobile with respect to the handle frame (5) around a kinematic lever axis (B) between a rest position and an active position, said kinematic lever (37) comprising a first radial arm (39), adapted to interact with a latch mechanism, configured to unlatch the door when the kinematic lever (37) reaches its active position, and a second radial arm (41), intersecting a path of the axial finger (35) of the handle lever (3) and being pushed by said axial finger (35) during rotation of the handle lever (3), so that when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: U-SHIN ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Savant, Anthony Guerin, Antonino Cannavo
  • Patent number: 11591828
    Abstract: A handle device includes a handle case disposed on a member on a vehicle body side, a cylindrical in supported by the handle case, and an operation member housed in the handle case and pivotally supported by the pin so as to be rotatable. The handle case includes a pin insertion hole into which the pin is configured to be inserted from an outer side of the handle case, and a rib which is provided to face a head portion of the pin inserted into the pin insertion hole and prevents the pin from slipping off. The rib extends from the handle case along as in-plane direction of a case region around the pin insertion hole, and includes an elastic piece elastically deformed in a direction orthogonal to an insertion direction of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lan Kin
  • Patent number: 11554646
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a belt structure and a rigid handle having a rigid base and a rigid outer grip portion. The rigid outer grip portion includes a portion that is spaced apart from the base to form a gap. The base of the handle is rigidly connected to the belt structure whereby the outer grip portion of the handle does not move relative to the belt structure. The vehicle door may include a powered door opening mechanism that moves a portion of the door away from a vehicle body when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Francis Raymond Gillis, Rajesh K. Patel, Thomas Michael Herline
  • Patent number: 11549288
    Abstract: A transmission mechanism for a vehicle door handle is provided, the handle including a handle lever, movable between a flushing position and a ready position, the mechanism attachable to the lever and to an electric motor, and including a lever shaft connectable to the lever, a rotation of which causes motion between the positions; a reduction mechanism to adapt an output torque of the motor into a rotational motion of the shaft, including first and second reduction stages each having a worm drive, the first including a first worm and a first worm gear, and the second having a second worm and another worm gear rotationally coupled to the shaft; and a brake mechanism frictionally engaging a rotating element of one of the stages when the shaft reaches a rotational braking position between the positions to stop the shaft in a position where the lever is in the ready position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: U-SHIN DEUTSCHLAND ZUGANGSSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Regis Grenouillat, Anton Linder, Norbert Lehmeier, Tomas Smeringai
  • Patent number: 11542729
    Abstract: The system includes a bracket, a handle pivotally mounted about a handle axis and including a main gripping branch and a secondary branch each extending on either side of the handle axis, a safety device configured to block an ejection of the handle towards its open position in the event of an impact. The device includes a blocking pawl elastically biased into a position of blocking the pivoting of the secondary branch according to a handle ejection direction and at least one lever for releasing the secondary branch in the ejection direction, the release lever being configured to drive the pawl, against its elastic biasing force, into a release position of the secondary branch, consecutively to a manual mechanical action of pushing in the handle from its flush position and/or to the triggering of an electric actuation for ejecting the handle from its flush position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: AKWEL VIGO SPAIN SL
    Inventors: Delmiro Javier Couto Maquieira, Alberto Diez Estevez, Jose Oscar Vazquez Carballo