SOUTHCO, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160130840 | CAM LATCH - A latch for capturing a striker includes a latch cam, a trigger, a drive cam, a motor coupled to the drive cam, and a switch coupled to the motor. The latch cam is biased to rotate toward an open position and configured to capture the striker in a closed position. The drive cam uses at least one cam surface to contact the trigger, and the switch permits actuation of the motor to rotate the drive cam when sensing the trigger or the drive cam, thereby rotating the drive cam to urge the trigger toward an unlocked position, disengage the trigger from the latch cam, and allow the latch cam to rotate from the closed position toward the open position. A system incorporating the latch and method of capturing a striker is also provided. | 05-12-2016 |
20160109058 | DISPLAY SUPPORT APPARATUS - The display supporting apparatus includes a base, a first arm, a second arm, and a display attachment bracket designed to be fixedly securable or attachable to a display. The display support apparatus further includes a mechanism for providing a constant orientation in relation to the base for the plane bisecting the range of rotation of the second arm about the pivot axis between the first arm and the second arm even as the first arm moves pivotally relative to the base. | 04-21-2016 |
20150345543 | DEVICE FOR POSITIONING AN OBJECT AT A USER-ADJUSTED POSTION - A device is provided for positioning an object with respect to another object. The device includes a linkage having an extended condition and a collapsed condition, the linkage including at least one pair of links coupled to one another about a pivot rotation axis. The device also includes a friction element positioned at the pivot rotation axis of the at least one pair of links of the linkage, A spring of the device is positioned to apply bias to the links of the at least one pair of links of the linkage. The device is configured to resist unintended movement of the object from the user-adjusted position along the path and to facilitate intended movement of the object proximally toward or distally away from the other object. | 12-03-2015 |
20150121654 | VARIABLE FRICTION HINGE - This invention provides a hinge assembly having variable friction resistance. The hinge assembly includes an elongated element having a generally cylindrical surface extending longitudinally. It also includes at least one torque element having a generally cylindrical surface compressively engaged with the cylindrical surface of the elongated element, the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element having end portions. An actuator of the hinge assembly is configured for changing friction resistance generated by the at least one torque element by changing the relative position of the end portions of the at least one torque element, thus reducing compressive engagement between the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element and the cylindrical surface of the elongated element. | 05-07-2015 |
20140321942 | FLOATING CAPTIVE SCREW - A captive screw for securing together two panels has a screw and a spring extending between the screw head and a ferrule. A collar is formed on the screw shank under the ferrule to limit penetration of the screw threads in a bottom panel so that the upper panel floats on the spring. | 10-30-2014 |
20140284946 | LEVER ACTUATED COMPRESSION LATCH - A lever operated compression latch has an elongated, hook-ended pawl carrying a longitudinal slot, and is cam guided and pin rotated while translated to engage and withdraw from a keeper cup. The compound movement of the pawl includes a lateral translation towards the keeper cup while rotating there into, followed by a lateral withdrawal to exert a compression force between the latch body which is attached to a door and the keeper cup which is attached to a door frame. A series of interconnected links is operated by a lever handle to fold into one another to provide a compact envelope when the latch is closed and to expand outwardly to open the latch and disengage the pawl from the keeper when operated by the lever. Of this series of links, a pair of release links operates in contact with one another, and rotates on respective individual pivot points to extend outwardly from the latch envelope to engage a striker plate portion of the keeper cup. This striker engagement causes the release links to push the latch and the door from a sealing engagement with the keeper and door jamb for a short distance, prior to the latch and the door thereafter being fully opened. This striker engagement of the release links also causes the latch links to fold inwardly which rotates and translates the pawl into keeper engagement and compression. This operation is facilitated with a floating spring having one end operating as a pivot member. A detent engages one of the links to provide a physical indication to the handle lever between the hard closed position and the closed about to open position. | 09-25-2014 |
20140026363 | HINGE ASSEMBLY WITH A MULTI-LAYER TORSION BAR SPRING - A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design. | 01-30-2014 |
20120006767 | Display Support Apparatus - The display supporting apparatus includes a base, a first arm, a second arm, and a display attachment bracket designed to be fixedly securable or attachable to a display. The display support apparatus further includes a mechanism for providing a constant orientation in relation to the base for the plane bisecting the range of rotation of the second arm about the pivot axis between the first arm and the second arm even as the first arm moves pivotally relative to the base. | 01-12-2012 |
20110227351 | Electromechanical Compression Latch - The present invention is directed to improvements in latch design. The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is a rotary pawl latch with the capability to provide a compressive force between the first member and the second member. The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is of an electromechanical type. The control circuit of the latch detects when a striker attached to one member, for example a door, has moved the pawl to a first latched position. A motor is then activated that drives the pawl to a second latched position to provide compression between the first member and a second member, for example a door frame. | 09-22-2011 |
20110047750 | HINGE ASSEMBLY WITH A MULTI-LAYER TORSION BAR SPRING - A friction hinge assembly includes a spring that assists the opening of a first member relative to a second member by storing energy in the spring during the closing operation. The spring is of a unique multilayered torsion bar design. | 03-03-2011 |
20100253096 | LOAD-FLOOR LATCH - A latch having a housing, handle, actuators pawl and rotary pawl torsion spring and two actuator torsion springs. The rotary pawl torsion spring biases the pawl toward the unlatched or opened position. The handle is pivotally attached to the housing and has two paddles tat engage the actuator. The actuator is slidably supported by the housing. Lifting the handle to the open position causes rotating movement of the actuator which in turn causes the pawl to rotate to the unlatched or retracted position. | 10-07-2010 |
20090308118 | Dual Locking System And Latch Incorporating Therefor - A dual locking system having a manual lock and an electrical lock, and a shuttle connected to both the manual lock and the electrical lock. The shuttle is moveable by either the manual lock or electrical lock between an engaged position in which a hook on the shuttle can engage a prong and a disengaged position in which the hook does not engage a prong. Upon de-energization of the electrical lock, the shuttle remains in the engaged position if the shuttle was in the engaged position prior to de-energization and the shuttle remains in the unengaged position if the shuttle were in the unengaged position prior to de-energization. The dual locking system is incorporated in a latch. | 12-17-2009 |
20090284026 | T-HANDLE ACTUATOR AND LATCH - A T-handle actuator has one or more retractable ball bearings for selectively engaging a socket to operate a latch mechanism. The ball bearings are allowed to retract using a pushbutton for removal of the actuator from the socket. A latch mechanism is operated by rotationally moving a drive plug. The drive plug can be a socket that can be engaged by the T-handle actuator. | 11-19-2009 |
20090267360 | PAWL ASSEMBLY - The present invention is directed to a pawl assembly that can be installed to the output shaft of a latch mechanism more easily, and in some embodiments without the use of tools, as compared to prior art pawls. | 10-29-2009 |
20090235767 | Rotary Pawl Latch - A latch including a housing, a rotary pawl, catch means for releasably holding the pawl in a closed configuration, and means for operating the catch means are disclosed. | 09-24-2009 |
20090230699 | Latch with Dual Rotary Pawls - A latch with dual rotary pawls is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary pawl engages a striker attached to a respective one of the doors to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. | 09-17-2009 |
20090230279 | Leverage Device and System Using Same - The present invention relates to a leverage device for leveraging a first member into a final position relative to a second member. Also disclosed is a leverage system that uses the leverage device. The leverage device of the present invention at least includes a mounting bracket, an actuating lever, a first linkage member, a second linkage member, and a cam. | 09-17-2009 |
20090179438 | Rotary Pawl Latch - A latch assembly for releasably securing a first member in a closed position relative to a second member is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a frames a rotary pawl, a locking member, a handle, and a lock plug. The frame is adapted for attachment to the first member. The handle is pivotally attached to the frame and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The locking member retains the pawl in the latched position when the locking member is in an undeflected configuration. The handle causes the locking member to deflect and release the pawl from a latched position when the lacking member is in an unlocked position and the handle is moved to the open position. The lock barrel is supported by the frame and can selectively move the locking member to a locked position where the locking member cannot be actuated by the handle. | 07-16-2009 |
20090133219 | DROP-IN DAMPED HINGE MODULE - A damped hinge module is disclosed and includes a first member, a second member and a torsion spring. The second member is rotationally movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position. The second member being received at least in part within the first member. The torsion spring is located internally with respect to the first member and biases the second member toward the first position relative to the first member. The spring has a preload with the second member in the first position relative to the first member. | 05-28-2009 |
20090115196 | LATCH ACTUATOR AND LATCH USING SAME - The latch actuating mechanism uses both an electric motor and a cylinder lock as alternative means for selectively locking a handle to a cam that in turn can operate a latch mechanism in order to allow the handle to be used to open the latch mechanism. A biasing means urges the handle to the closed position. | 05-07-2009 |
20090058102 | ELECTROMECHANICAL PUSH TO CLOSE LATCH - An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions. | 03-05-2009 |
20090001733 | ELECTROMECHANICAL PUSH TO CLOSE LATCH - An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions. | 01-01-2009 |
20080265588 | Magnetic Latch Mechanism - A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. | 10-30-2008 |
20080256752 | Articulating Hinge - An articulated hinge is provided which is capable of supporting a panel member and permitting the panel member to be moved away from an opening and at the same time permit the panel member to be rotated approximately 90 degrees. The hinge has a scissor arm mechanism which provides for smooth opening and closing of the hinge thereby eliminating a possible sticking of the hinge during opening. | 10-23-2008 |
20080252083 | ELECTROMECHANICAL ROTARY PAWL LATCH - The present invention is directed to improvements in latch design. The illustrated embodiment of the present invention is a rotary pawl latch with the capability to provide a compressive force between the first member and the second member. | 10-16-2008 |
20080231060 | Magnetic Latch Mechanism - A latch with dual rotary magnets is disclosed. The latch is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment. Mechanical hook-like rotary pawls supplement the action of the magnets. In addition, the latch is provided with a safety feature that prevents the latch from opening in the event that the vehicle in which the latch is installed is involved in a collision. | 09-25-2008 |
20080196201 | Sliding and Rotating Hinge Module - A sliding and rotating hinge module for supporting a display screen or the like, includes a bracket, a slider and a support member. The slider is capable of sliding movement relative to said bracket and said support member is capable of pivotal movement relative to said slider. A drum is rotationally supported by the bracket. A constant force spring is attached to the drum at one end and the bracket at another end. The constant force spring is biased to wrap around the drum, the constant force spring unwrapping from the drum as the slider moves toward the retracted position. The constant force spring biases the slider toward the extended position. A damping mechanism damps the rotational motion of the drum relative to the bracket for smooth, non-abrupt movement of the slider. | 08-21-2008 |