Wedges Patents (Class 292/342)
  • Patent number: 11761198
    Abstract: A hold down system for a building wall comprises a first rigid member and a second rigid member, the second rigid member being vertically spaced apart from the first rigid member, the first rigid member is supported on a horizontal member of a stud wall, the first and second rigid members including first and second openings, respectively; a tie-rod with a lower end portion for being anchored to an anchorage, the tie-rod extending transversely through the first and second openings, the tie-rod dividing the first and second rigid members into a first lateral section on one side of the tie-rod and a second lateral section on a diametrically opposite side of the tie-rod; first support and second support disposed between the first and second rigid members, the first support being disposed in the first lateral section, the second support being disposed in the second lateral section, the tie-rod extending through the first and second rigid members outside of the first support or the second support; and a nut threade
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CETRES HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas M Espinosa
  • Patent number: 11512500
    Abstract: An improved tilt latch bolt for a double-hung window with a groove or channel formed in either the biased or planar portion of the bolt nose for engaging a portion of the window frame when the window is under duress is disclosed herein. The grooves and channels define a depth of at least five thousandths of an inch (0.127 cm). The deformable cantilever, by virtue of being formed above, and extending over the channel, is resilient such that were a portion of the window jamb to clear the width of channel, the deformable cantilever provides a small degree of tolerance to capture the wayward window jamb before it inadvertently rotates out of the sash, for example in inclement weather conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Inventor: Barry G. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 11459806
    Abstract: A door prop includes a rectangular wedge secured horizontally by a first elastic cord in a horizontal position adjacent the door frame upon a door when the door is open. A second elastic cord enables a user to move the wedge away from propping the door when the door is desired to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventor: David Bishop
  • Patent number: 11454055
    Abstract: A fenestration system is disclosed. In some examples, the fenestration system includes one or more movable window sashes and a toggle assembly. In some examples, the toggle assembly operates to limit the degree to which the window sashes are opened or otherwise moved relative to one another. In some examples, a window sash may be opened a designated amount before the toggle assembly operates to obstruct it from being further opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Pella Corporation
    Inventor: Jesse Van Essen
  • Patent number: 10995787
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a quick locking piece, comprising a shaft sleeve and a rotary shaft which are cooperatively installed; the rotary shaft has a locked section and a sliding section, and the locked section is located at one end portion of the rotary shaft; an outer contour surface of the sliding section is provided with a first guide slot for guiding the rotary shaft to move and lock and a second guide slot for guiding the rotary shaft to rotate; the locked section of the rotary shaft is sleeved with a connector pivotally connected with the shaft sleeve; a first positioning post is provided on the connector at a position corresponding to the first guide slot, a second positioning post is provided on the shaft sleeve at a position corresponding to the second guide slot. The quick locking piece has a simpler structure, which can improve the installation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ROE Visual Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Danhu Cai, Zhanqiang Li, Yongfei Yu, Shunwen Tian, Chen Lu, Dries Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 10188210
    Abstract: The described leveling device includes a substantially planar bottom surface that intersects a substantially constantly sloped top surface at a front portion to form a substantially wedge shaped device. The front portion of the device may include a non-linear profile. The top surface may include a zone of increased friction configured to receive at least a portion of an object to be leveled. The bottom surface may include at least one continuous channel spanning from side-to-side of the leveling device. The leveling device may also include a contoured depression on a top surface and a matching contoured depression on the bottom surface. The contoured protrusion of one leveling device is configured to mechanically engage the contoured depression of another leveling device when the leveling devices are stacked, thereby interlocking the two leveling device and preventing motion of one leveling device in relation to the other leveling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: Alexander I. Gajowskyj
  • Patent number: 9822572
    Abstract: A foot-operated door opener including a base secured to a door and an extension having a top surface and a bottom surface, side surfaces and side edge surfaces. The foot-operated door is configured such that a door may be pulled open using either the top or bottom of a user's foot or foot covering. The side and side edge surfaces allow for operation in a confined space where the user needs to stand to the side of the door when operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: Vincent Stephenson Brown
  • Patent number: 9044341
    Abstract: To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones. If the wedge member is connected to only one bone, the joint may be capable of being flexed after the wedge member is inserted into the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Bonutti Skeletal Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Peter M. Bonutti
  • Patent number: 9027972
    Abstract: A vehicle door locking apparatus is equipped with a movable wedge, a fixed wedge, and an elastic member. The movable wedge is movable in the open/close direction of the vehicle door towards the vehicle body opening. The elastic member impels the movable wedge toward the fixed wedge. A slanted surface on the movable wedge and a slanted surface on the fixed wedge are configured to come into contact when the door is closed. The movable wedge is assembled on the end surface on the vehicle body opening side along with the base plate of a door lock striker that is assembled on the end surface on the vehicle body opening side. The fixed wedge is immovably assembled on the mounting section of the end surface on the vehicle door side, which is involved in a door lock assembly that is assembled on the end surface on the vehicle door side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Muramatsu, Kosuke Tsukamoto, Kimito Shimizu, Kenji Oriishi, Yoshiki Odaka
  • Publication number: 20150108774
    Abstract: A mechanism or apparatus enables stowing a hinged surface chock at a stowage position near a deployment position. Said stowage and deployment positions separated by a gap between a first hinged surface and a second hinged surface, where said hinged surfaces are attached by at least one hinge. The apparatus enables the transition of said chock through said gap when one of said hinged surfaces is sufficiently open. Said apparatus will enable stowing said chock by holding said chock at the side of the gap where said chock does not obstruct the closing path of either hinged surface and said apparatus will enable deploying said chock by holding said chock where, at least partially, said chock obstructs the closing path of at least one of said hinged surfaces. Said apparatus may further enable arranging said chock at a wider angle at the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Marina Yurii Fortmann
  • Publication number: 20150091313
    Abstract: A safety device for doors of lockable receptacles and a method of use are disclosed herein. The disclosed safety device generally comprises a base member attachable to a lockable receptacle; an arm member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is attached to the base member; and a wedge member forming a portion of the arm member. Upon opening the door of the lockable receptacle, the wedge member becomes positioned between the open door and the lockable receptacle, thereby preventing closure of the door on a user's body part positioned between the door and the lockable receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hal Braselton
  • Patent number: 8955891
    Abstract: There is a door stop including a block having a top surface and a bottom surface. The block includes an engaging perimeter and a non-engaging perimeter opposite the engaging perimeter and is disposed between the top surface and the bottom surface. The block includes a protrusion extending therefrom at a boundary region between the engaging perimeter and the non-engaging perimeter. The door stop includes a plurality of magnets disposed in an array along an exterior of the engaging perimeter. The door stop includes a recessed portion disposed about the engaging perimeter and is configured to rest about a hinge of a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Michael R. Millsap
  • Patent number: 8944479
    Abstract: A vehicle door fixing apparatus, a fixed wedge configured to be fixedly attached to one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, a base plate configured to be fixedly attached to the other one of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, a movable wedge slidably provided at the base plate, a biasing member biasing the movable wedge toward the fixed wedge, and a cover fixedly attached to the base plate and covering around the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Muramatsu, Kosuke Tsukamoto, Yoshiki Odaka
  • Patent number: 8876514
    Abstract: In a mold used for manufacturing a composite material structure of the present invention, first segments and second segments each having a plate shape and a convex-shaped obverse surface are each fastened at its end surface to support rings one by one, with the obverse surface being at an upper side, and adjacent segments are joined together at side surfaces thereof, to retain them as a cylindrical mold. In this configuration, in the mold having a substantially cylindrical shape and being dividable into a plurality of segments, the segments are assembled in the cylindrical shape with high position accuracy and in a simplified manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Sana, Tomoya Takahashi, Chuzaburou Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8550509
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a hand-insertable window wedging mechanism. When positioned in an interior corner of an automobile door frame, the wedge keeps the window of the door from sliding down, and may secure the window in a fully closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: James Eric Krotzer
  • Patent number: 8439409
    Abstract: A door panel of a side door of a machine has a latching mechanism, and a frame of the machine includes a striker. The striker includes a pair of vertically arranged mounting base portions, a pair of slanted shimmy-stopping surface portions formed on the mounting base portions so as to protrude in a V-like shape towards the latching mechanism, and a metal hooking portion protruding from a flat end portion that is provided between the slanted shimmy-stopping surface portions. The latching mechanism includes a mechanism body portion including main body plates. A U-shaped latch groove portion for engaging the metal hooking portion of the striker is formed by cutting away a part of each main body plate, and shimmy suppressing portions that are vertically arranged in a V-like shape are provided at the open end of each latch groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Ryoji Uto, Shigemi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8322762
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body defining an opening, a door, and an adjustable wedge assembly. The door is mounted to the body for movement between an open position, wherein doors are disposed within the opening, and an open position, wherein the doors are at least partially outside of the opening. The adjustable wedge assembly includes a base portion fixed to one of the vehicle body and the door, and a wedge portion movable relative to the base portion between a plurality of positions including an outboard position, an inboard position and at least one intermediate position between the outboard position and the inboard position. A contact surface os disposed on one of the vehicle body and the door opposite the wedge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Richard Watson
  • Patent number: 8276240
    Abstract: A door check device to be mounted to a door for selectively maintaining a gap when door closing is attempted. This prevents injuries to children's fingers and the like. The door check includes a base with a journal having action arm pivoted at its proximal end. The arm has a distal end extending outwardly to engage a doorstop. Indexing sockets are formed along the arm's proximal end. Each socket collaborates with the nose of a spring-biased detent to retain the action arm in a preselected position. The arm may be set in a first position to directly engage the doorstop to form a gap. Set in a second position the arm allows door closing but, upon next opening, the arm automatically reverts to door checking position. In a third position the arm is fully lowered to disable the check device. This device may find application to a variety of closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Roman Ritachka
  • Publication number: 20120169074
    Abstract: An adjustable lock for a sliding member such as a sliding door, sliding panel, or sliding window is provided by a tubular mechanism adapted to be placed into a position wedging the tubular mechanism between the frame and the sliding member, with the tubular mechanism including an inner tubular member selectively threadably extendable from within an outer tubular member attached to the frame to a locked position locking the outer and inner tubular members together, with a free end of the inner tubular member is proximate an edge portion of the associated sliding member, whereby the locked together outer and inner tubes are rotatable in one direction for extending and forcing a free end of the inner tubular member into intimate contact with the edge portion of the sliding member, thereby wedging the sliding member into a locked position preventing movement thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas D. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20120112474
    Abstract: A movable wedge device of a vehicle door fixing apparatus, includes a base plate fixedly attached to one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, a movable wedge slidably provided at the base plate and pushed against a fixed wedge provided at the other one of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, a biasing member positioned between the base plate and the movable wedge and biasing the movable wedge toward the fixed wedge, a guide rail provided at one of the base plate and the movable wedge, a guide groove which is provided at the other one of the base plate and the movable wedge and with which the guide rail engages for allowing the movable wedge to slide, and an elastic member provided in a compressed state between a surface of the guide rail and a wall of the guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira MURAMATSU, Kosuke TSUKAMOTO, Yoshiki ODAKA
  • Publication number: 20120112477
    Abstract: A movable wedge device for a vehicle door fixing apparatus includes a base plate configured to be fixed to one of a vehicle body panel and a door panel, a mounting hole formed on the base plate and configured to be inserted with a mounting member, a movable wedge provided at the base plate to be movable between a position where the movable wedge covers the mounting hole and a position where the mounting hole is exposed, the movable wedge configured to press onto a fixed wedge configured to be provided at the other of the vehicle body panel and the door panel, a biasing member biasing the movable wedge towards the position where the movable wedge covers the mounting hole, and a hold member detachably provided for stopping a sliding movement of the movable wedge and retaining the movable wedge at the position where the mounting hole is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira MURAMATSU, Kosuke Tsukamoto, Yoshiki Odaka
  • Patent number: 8061741
    Abstract: A movable barrier drive case (300) and a clamp (301) wherein the clamp can be configured and arranged to securely and non-temporarily attached the movable barrier drive case to a mounting channel (100). The movable barrier drive case can be configured and arranged to attach securely and non-temporarily to a movable barrier drive assembly. By these teachings, this movable barrier drive case can further comprise an installation safety latch (402) that is configured and arranged to securely and only temporarily maintain a selected disposition of the movable barrier drive case with respect to the mounting channel during installation of the movable barrier drive case. So configured, the installation safety latch can serve to maintain the movable barrier drive case in an installer's selected position with respect to the mounting channel during installation prior to using the clamp to non-temporarily attach the movable barrier drive case to the mounting channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Chambers
  • Patent number: 8042846
    Abstract: A wedge apparatus includes a first wedge member and a second wedge member. A pivot pin is interconnected between a front end of the first wedge member and a front end of the second wedge member. A compressible spring is interconnected between the first wedge member and the second wedge member at a location distal from the pivot pin. The first wedge member can be substantially U-shaped and can include upwardly oriented first flange portions. Similarly, the second wedge member can be substantially U-shaped and can include downwardly oriented second flange portions. The U-shaped second wedge member is nested within the U-shaped first wedge member when the compressible spring is fully compressed between the first wedge member and the second wedge member. Preferably, a quantity of high friction material is bonded to the first wedge member bottom surface, and a second quantity of high friction material is bonded to the second wedge member top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: James L. Ruggerio
  • Patent number: 7862317
    Abstract: A mold includes at least one axial member carrying at least one sidewall molding surface for molding a sidewall of a tire, radial segments each carrying at least one surface for molding a tread of the tire and locking surfaces for connecting the axial member with the radial segments. First radial and axial locking surfaces which are displaceable and carried by the axial member cooperate with second radial and axial locking surfaces. The sidewall molding surface is integral with a fixed portion of the axial member. The first radial and axial locking surfaces are integral with at least one locking member mounted in the axial member and are movable relative to the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Gilbert Menard, Adrien Mondolo, Jean-Charles Ferrand, Gérard Alegre, Jean-Claude Aperce
  • Patent number: 7845693
    Abstract: A hatch stop for a wind turbine having an enclosure with a hatch, including a first prong arranged between an external surface of the hatch and an external surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rui Li, Hua Yan, Jianhua Han
  • Patent number: 7651140
    Abstract: A door security device for arranging on a floor surface proximate a bottom portion of an inwardly opening door includes a chock. The chock has a front surface extending substantially parallel to a plane of the door when the chock is in an operative position and a bottom surface adapted to rest against the floor surface. The bottom surface extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the door when the chock is in the operative position. The chock has a top surface disposed between the front and bottom surfaces. An opening extends through the chock from the top surface to the bottom surface. The device also includes a pin sized to be received in the opening, a hollow tube for inserting into a hole in the floor surface and a cap for covering a top portion of the hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Leggio
  • Patent number: 7644964
    Abstract: A door wedge is provided for maintaining a door at a user-desired position. The door wedge includes a base extending along a first axis. The base has upper and lower surfaces and first and second ends. An inclined plate extends along a second axis at a predetermined angle to the first axis. The inclined plate has upper and lower surfaces and first and second ends. The first end of the inclined plate intersects the first end of the base. A hook projects from the inclined plate. The hook has a terminal end vertically spaced from the upper surface of the inclined plate. A pad is affixed to the lower surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Richard D. Bushey, Bret L. Bushey
  • Patent number: 7588272
    Abstract: A door handle assembly comprises a handle mount having an opening therethrough and a manually engageable handle rotatable about an axis, the axis aligned with the opening positioning structure is fixed relative to the handle mount. The positioning structure has a plurality of locking regions defined by locking surfaces, the locking regions being spaced at predefined distances from the axis. A pair of mounting studs, are adapted to extend through an associated pair of apertures in a door. The mounting studs have lock surfaces that are engageable with the spaced locking surfaces of the positioning structure to enable the elongated mounting studs to be selectively fixed relative to the positioning structure at desired predetermined distances from the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: National Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: John D Gephart
  • Publication number: 20090195001
    Abstract: The invention provides a distance piece e.g. to replace a traditional wedge e.g. for fitting a window to an opening of a building. The distance piece has two parts (2, 3) which are separable by a separation part. During use, the separation part is inserted between the two parts which are forced apart. In this condition, the separation part is locked to leave the distance piece in the expanded condition. After final fixation of the building component, the separation part can be released and moved to a position wherein the two parts are allowed to revert to a collapsed state. In that way, the distance piece facilitates reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: ITOOLS APS
    Inventors: Ulrik Bruhn, Stig Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7559588
    Abstract: An improved vent stop for use in sliding sash windows or sliding doors. The vent stop has a housing adapted to be disposed in a recess of either a door or window. This housing includes a cavity with a bottom plate therein. Inside the cavity is a tumbler that may be in a retracted position, to allow the sash or door to move, and an extended position to prevent the sash or door from moving. The tumbler may move from the retracted position to the extended position via at least one pivot connection. Also within the housing is a spring for biasing the tumbler into the extended position. The tumbler has a pivot member that has a bottom plate contact surface that contacts a side edge of the bottom plate when the tumbler is in an extended position, thus preventing further travel of the tumbler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Luke K. Liang
  • Publication number: 20090039660
    Abstract: A multi-purpose wedge, with a body having two generally opposed tapering surfaces that meet at a real or imaginary edge, a core made from a first fire resistant material, a coating of a second fire resistant material, and an optional layer of photoluminescent material disposed over at least a portion of the coating of second fire resistant material is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7448657
    Abstract: A door stop which includes a bracket that is mountable on a face of a door and has an elongate leg pivotally connected adjacent one end thereof to the bracket. The leg has a laterally extending floor engagable foot on the other end thereof that slopes downwardly in a direction toward the floor and terminates in an edge that digs into the floor as the door is being force open. The leg is squeezingly engaged between a pair of grommets on the bracket which holds the leg is a raised position. A tension spring biases the foot from its raised position in a direction toward the floor. An actuator is mounted on the door and has a hand engagable portion disposed adjacent the door knob. The actuator is a rod that is reciprocally mounted on the door and spring biased to a neutral position. The rod upon being pushed downwardly engages and released the leg so that it is free to snap downwardly into its floor engaging door blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: James J. Blair
  • Patent number: 7393027
    Abstract: A doorstop includes a base secured to a floor; the base containing a buffer in relation to the direction of a door panel; a magnetic member being inserted into the center of the buffer; an elastic member being disposed to the inner end of the magnetic member; the elastic member enabling the buffer to engage in reciprocal compression; and when the door is opened, a door panel contacts the doorstop; impact applied by the door panel being absorbed and offset by a coil disposed to the inner end of the buffer; and the door panel being attracted to the magnetic member to prevent possible bouncing back by the door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Tong-Sin Chen
  • Patent number: 7325844
    Abstract: Latch device composed of a container (51) in which there is a slider (52), inserted in a guide (60), controlled in translation by a spring (53) and comprising a hook (68) to catch a hooking element (59) placed on a door. A track (40), with the bottom defining the profile of a cam on one side of the guide (60), is travelled along by a ball (73) placed on the slider (52) and held pressed by a spring (72) against the bottom of the track (40) to determine the four open, closed, released and locked positions of the door according to the position of the ball in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Arturo Salice S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luciano Salice
  • Patent number: 7261344
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting handicapped people in opening doors. The apparatus is used primarily for individuals in wheelchairs, who typically have difficulty in opening doors. The apparatus has a long shaft with two ends, and has a handle attached to one end of the shaft. The other end of the shaft has both a wedge and a pull pin attached to it. The wedge is used to keep an opened door in an open stage by placement underneath the door in between the bottom of the door and a ground surface. The pull pin is used for placement behind a door handle to effectively “pull open” a door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventors: William Drake, Jr., Kenneth Hill
  • Patent number: 7156431
    Abstract: Wedge couple for fixing and wedging-up of windows and doors in connection with their mounting in a wall opening, and associated with mounting shears with which the wedges can be located and tightened by means of a shearing operation with one hand. The wedge couple includes two flat wedges oriented in mutually opposite directions, each with a thick end and a thin end. The thin end of one wedge is connected to the thick end of the other wedge by means of a thin deformable plate which ensures that the two wedges are correctly arranged in relation to each other and able to be displaced only parallel towards each other in their longitudinal direction, when they are being forced together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Keld Norgaard
  • Patent number: 7014229
    Abstract: A door stop and holder apparatus (10) including a generally wedge shaped stop member (20) connected by a tether member (50) to a hollow receptacle member (40) the rear face (41) of which is affixed to a door (100) and the front face (42) of which is provided with at least one receptacle element (45) dimensioned to receive a portion of a bumper member (60) that projects outwardly from the front face (42) of the holster member (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: John Stelmach
  • Patent number: 6727805
    Abstract: A signaling retention device that is configured to retain an element in a particular position and to emit an audible and/or visual signal. The signaling retention device may include a power source, memory, a central processing unit (CPU), sensor(s), audible indicator(s), light source(s), switch(es), camera(s), a transceiver, a microphone, impact tool(s), and aromatic element(s) and may be configured in the form of a character, such as a cartoon character or the like. The power source may be any suitable power source, such one or more batteries (rechargeable or non-rechargeable) or the like, and may be removable or non-removable. Similarly, the memory, CPU, audible indicator(s), light source(s), switch(es), camera(s), transceiver, microphone, impact tool(s), and aromatic element (s) may be any types well known in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fire Factory, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Hollister, Kenneth R. Altberg
  • Patent number: 6609739
    Abstract: A locking device (20) for double-wing gates (10, 12). The lock comprises a pair of base plates (16, 18), each secured to one of the wings so that in the closed position thereof the members (18d, 16d) are located side by side. At least one of the projecting members is formed with a dead-body receiving cavity (16g, 18g). A lock body (20) is provided, having a side portion formed with respective recesses (20a, 20b) configured and located so as to fit over both the projecting members. The lock body (20) is equipped with a key-operated locking mechanism (22) comprising at least one dead-bolt receiving cavity of the respective anchor member thereby preventing the disengagement of the lock body (20) from both anchor members. The projections (16d, 18d) may be in the form of elongated ribs, or cylindrical pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Meir Avganim
  • Patent number: 6572160
    Abstract: A door safety barrier for being positioned adjacent a doorway having a door mounted therein for interfering with movement of the door relative to the doorway. The door safety barrier defines a security opening between the door and the doorway for preventing entry therethrough, and includes a housing for being embedded into a floor adjacent the door. The housing defines a chamber therein. An elongate plunger is positioned within the chamber for reciprocating movement between an extended, operative position above the floor for engaging a side of the door to prevent movement of the door past the plunger, and a retracted, inoperative position below the bottom of the door for permitting passage of the door over the plunger. A latch assembly cooperates with the housing and the plunger for alternately locking the plunger in the extended, operative and retracted inoperative positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Bunting
  • Patent number: 6557912
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a door is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body member configured to be coupled to a floor. Further, the apparatus includes a locking member movably coupled to the body member, and having an end that is configured to engage the door. Further still, the apparatus includes a stop arrangement coupled to the locking member and configured to hold the locking member in a predetermined position relative to the body member. The predetermined position associating with a predefined door position, such that the holding prevents the door from moving past a predefined door position when the locking member is engaged with the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: International Business and Technology Corporation
    Inventor: David Truong
  • Patent number: 6510587
    Abstract: A door closure preventing device is mounted on the inside surface of a door and has a pivotal stop moveable between a deactivated position within the periphery of the door and the extended position extending beyond the periphery of the door to prevent closure of the door. The pivotal stop is moved to its extended position following opening of the door by a user and is then released to move by a spring to an intermediate position projecting beyond the door periphery following which closure of the door results in engagement of the door jamb by the stop to prevent complete closure. Engagement of the stop with the door jamb also returns the stop to is fully extended position and actuates a rotary latch so that upon subsequent opening movement of the door by the user the stop is automatically returned to its fully retracted position to permit a conventional door closure apparatus to fully close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sargent & Greenleaf, Inc.
    Inventors: Ned R. Urschel, Wilbur Bewley, Gary Murphree
  • Patent number: 6471260
    Abstract: A rotary latch employs at least one rotary jaw that is releasably retained in its latched position by a rotary pawl. Housing side plates sandwich the rotary jaw, the rotary pawl and one or more torsion coil springs that bias the rotary jaw from an unlatched position toward a latched position, and the rotary pawl from a jaw-releasing position toward a jaw-retaining position. Improvements that enhance service longevity include the use of C-shaped hook formations defined by reaches of spring material that extend from torsion spring coils located alongside one or both of the rotary jaw and the rotary pawl to engage convexly shaped C-shaped formations of the rotary jaw and/or the rotary pawl that are located in the same plane as the torsion spring coils to provide long-lived connections between the torsion spring or springs and one or both of the rotary jaw and the rotary pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: Lee S. Weinerman, Arthur J. Kuminski
  • Patent number: 6431616
    Abstract: A latch assembly for releasably maintaining the drawer in a closed position with respect a drawer frame includes a latch guide attached to the interior surface of the front panel of the drawer. The latch guide has a guide channel defined therein, a latch member is slidably received. The latch member engages the drawer frame in its locked position and includes a body to which a spring is mounted for biasing the latch member upwardly into engagement with he drawer frame. The latch member has a ramp along which a slide member moves. The slide member is connected to a rod which, in turn, is connected to a drawer knob. When the knob is pulled forwardly, the latch member is moved downwardly against the force of the spring to disengage the latch member from the frame to enable the drawer to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Ian M. Julian
  • Patent number: 6345849
    Abstract: A safety door stopper for use in trip, including a wedge stopper block and a coupler member. The coupler member is used to fix the wedge stopper block under a lower edge of the door board. A bottom face of the wedge stopper block is disposed with an unsmooth face. When the wedge stopper block is fixed under the lower edge of the door board, the unsmooth face is able to enlarge the frictional coefficient between the door board and the ground and enlarge the frictional force. Therefore, the resistance against the door board is increased to make it difficult to push open the door board and ensure safety in trip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Si-Kang Yen
  • Patent number: 6340184
    Abstract: A security device has two telescoping arms and a hinge plate at the center for releasing the locked telescoping arms which can be actuated by a persons foot. A spring tensioned telescoping arm prevents unintentional engagement of the security device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: Alan Paul Kuzmich
  • Publication number: 20010050486
    Abstract: A door safety barrier for being positioned adjacent a doorway having a door mounted therein for interfering with movement of the door relative to the doorway. The door safety barrier defines a security opening between the door and the doorway for preventing entry therethrough, and includes a housing for being embedded into a floor adjacent the door. The housing defines a chamber therein. An elongate plunger is positioned within the chamber for reciprocating movement between an extended, operative position above the floor for engaging a side of the door to prevent movement of the door past the plunger, and a retracted, inoperative position below the bottom of the door for permitting passage of the door over the plunger. A latch assembly cooperates with the housing and the plunger for alternately locking the plunger in the extended, operative and retracted inoperative positions, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Christopher Bunting
  • Patent number: 6244636
    Abstract: A door latch assembly for preventing unwanted entry into a hotel room, apartment, dwelling, or the like. In certain embodiments, the door latch assembly includes an approximately L-shaped member which is selectively pivoted between locking and non-locking positions. In certain embodiments, the latch may not be readily utilized to prop open a door, as a closing door will cause the latch to move from a locking position to a non-locking position during door closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Rissone
  • Patent number: 6161252
    Abstract: A door holder assembly used to maintain a door in an opened position. The assembly is made up of a door stop, a locking plate mounted on the door and a floor mounted door holder. The door stop and the door holder are fixed to the floor while the locking plate is fixed to the lower portion of the door and is positioned to engage the door holder when the door is opened. The locking plate has two joined segments one of which is planar and flat while the other of which has a right angled groove. Depending on the vertical elevation of the door's bottom above the floor, the same locking plate can be mounted to the door in one of two different positions. If the elevation is slight then the right angled groove portion is mounted on the vertical front door surface. If the elevation is larger and sufficient space exists, the locking plate may have the right angled groove portion mounted to the lower edge of the door between the door and the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Miguel Angel Loera Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6131869
    Abstract: A device for deflecting ladders and other moving structures away from sensitive and readily damageable stationary equipment. More particularly, disclosed is a device in the form of a wedge-shaped ramp structure which is mounted at the end of a guard rail located at the bottom of the stationary equipment which is arranged in an uneven lineup and presenting protruding end edges which the ramp structure will prevent from being struck by moving aisle ladders or the like through deflecting the latter. Pursuant to a specific aspect, the device is a wedge-shaped deflector ramp structure mounted at the end of the guard rail which is located to extend along the lower end of a forward surface of unequal flange cable duct (UFCD) racks which are frequently employed in telephone or communication equipment central offices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: James H. Durham, Charles W. Cramp