3359results about "Vehicle locks" patented technology

An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and / or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area.

The present invention relates to a method for sensing information about the position and / or movements of the body of a living being or a part of the body inside the body, in particular for use in a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps:Send (18) an electromagnetic signal (15) that includes, according to the invention, frequencies in the radar range, to a predetermined area of the body of a living being,Receive (20) an electromagnetic signal (22) reflected from the area of the body,Evaluate (30) the captured receive signal (22) with regard for the difference in delay time and / or frequency relative to the transmit signal (15) to determine the information.With the method according to the present invention, the breathing and heart rate and the position of the body of a driver of a motor vehicle can be monitored in contactless fashion during the drive.

Smart, rollable, mini-pallet cargo container system comprising robust, auditable, secure, sealable, lockable, trackable and pollable, universal, half / quarter-sized boxes particularly useful for moving highly valuable or sensitive, personal, political, military or commercial materials, embodiments include truly verifiable ballot boxes, verifiably secure moving containers. Blast attenuation inserts are disclosed. The boxes include electronic locks containing event memory, sensors and alarms, and RF communications and GPS locator module(s) that radio to a base station the time, location and status of the inventive box, and anomalous events as they occur, including unauthorized attempts to open or break into the container, or potential damage events. In addition, both the locks and comm modules are programmable, and provide extensive, and selectably pollable and down-loadable, printable event, access and transport history and audit trails. The comm system permits remote tracking and real time status check via the Internet, LAN or WAN wireless networks.

PCT No. PCT / CA97 / 00941 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 16, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 16, 1999 PCT Filed Dec. 10, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98 / 26144 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 18, 1998A hood latch assembly (10) has a housing (14) having a mouth (13). A ratchet (16) is pivotally mounted within the housing (14) to cooperate with the mouth (13) to pivot between an open, a secondary closed and a primary closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper of a striker (80). The ratchet (16) is biased to the open condition. A pivotally mounted primary pawl (18) is biased for engagement with the ratchet (16) to releasably retain the ratchet (16) in the primary closed condition. A pivotally mounted secondary pawl (62) is biased for engagement with the ratchet (16) to releasably retain the ratchet (16) in the secondary closed condition. The secondary pawl (62) has a release lever (20) which rotates between a deployed position and a retracted position. As the ratchet (16) engages the striker (80), the ratchet (16) will rotate in a latching sense from the open condition to the secondary closed condition. As the ratchet (16) further rotates from the secondary closed to the primary closed condition, fully engaging the striker (80), the secondary pawl (62) follows the ratchet (16), allowing the release lever (20) to rotate from a deployed position to a retracted position. Upon release of the primary engagement by disengaging the primary pawl (18), the ratchet (16) will rotate from the primary closed to the secondary closed condition. The secondary pawl (62) will follow the ratchet (16) rotating the release lever (20) from the retracted position to the deployed position. The operator then manipulates the release lever (20) to release the ratchet (16), allowing the ratchet (16) to rotate from the secondary closed to the open condition.

An illumination module for a vehicle includes at least one illumination source for illuminating a target area at the vehicle. The illumination module may be mounted at a handle of a vehicle door and may be operable to illuminate the handle region and / or pocket region of the vehicle door and to illuminate a ground region adjacent to the vehicle and generally below the door handle assembly. The illumination module may include an icon established thereat and the at least one illumination source may back light the icon so that the icon, when the illumination module is activated, is viewable by a person viewing the vehicle. The illumination module may project or direct the illumination toward a targeted area so that the icon is discernible at the targeted area.

A keyless entry system include a key device 13 for carrying out locking and unlocking operations, a mobile terminal 14 including a mobile terminal transmitting / receiving unit 18 for transmitting user-ID number data a1 used for identifying a user of the key device 13, and a key security system 15 including a key device transmitting / receiving unit 20 for receiving the user-ID number data a1 from the mobile terminal 14. The key security system 15 includes an ID-number data comparison unit 23 for recognizing a fact that key-device ID number data a2 pre-stored in the key device 13 is identical to the user-ID number data a1 transmitted from the mobile terminal 14 and a key-device ECU 16 for receiving an unlock enable signal b and outputting a lock control signal f to the key device 13. According to the above-described configuration, when operating and activating the key device, such as a door lock device of a vehicle and a house, using a mobile terminal, such as a cell phone, which many people usually carry around with them, a keyless entry system and a keyless entry method that are reliable and convenient for users can be provided.

The present invention relates to an opening and closing device of push-push type for lids, with particular reference to the lids of fuel tanks in cars and motorcycles, which uses a mechanism comprising a heart-shaped cam (6) and a roto-translating pin (3), in which the cam (6) is positioned in detached and parallel position with respect to the roto-translating pin (3) and in which the heart-shaped cam (6) and the pin (3) are connected by means of a rocker (8).

A combined individual authentication system includes a license information acquiring device for acquiring license information from a storage media which a driver carries before or after a vehicle runs, a biometric information acquiring device for acquiring biometric information of the driver, and a pre-stored information storing device for storing pre-stored license and biometric information of the driver. The authentication system also includes a license information authenticating device for authenticating the driver based on the pre-stored license information, a first permitting device for permitting at least one of functions which the vehicle equipped, when the license information authenticating device authenticates the driver as an authenticated driver, a biometric information authenticating device for authenticating the driver based on the pre-stored biometric information, when the license information authenticating device authenticates the driver as an authenticated driver, and a second permitting device for permitting at least one of functions which the vehicle equipped.

A shipping apparatus for small, high value or accountable items comprises: a substantially rigid housing comprising two opposed sections connected to one another, forming a container capable of being opened and closed, typically in a clamshell arrangement; and an integral locking device to secure the container in the closed position. The locking device includes: a microprocessor; a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a power supply; and an electromechanical latching mechanism to actuate the locking device and to unlock the locking device upon signal from the microprocessor when the shipping container has reached a selected geographic location. The locking device may further contain additional sensing and communication functions.

A system for hands-free vehicle door operation can selectively open a vehicle door on the approach of an operator. Thus, for example, with this system, a rear loading door of a delivery vehicle may open when the operator approaches so that the operator may enter the cargo bay when both hands are busy managing a load.

A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate; an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an engagement or a disengagement of the pin or the gate from the other of the pin or the gate; and a spring in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the spring is configured to provide a force opposite to a force provided by the active material, wherein the activated active material is effective to overcome the force provided by the spring

A vehicle door handle assembly for opening a door of a vehicle includes a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle and a handle portion which is operable to open the door via movement of the handle portion relative to the base. The handle portion includes a first portion having a first material hardness and a second portion having a second material hardness. The first material hardness is greater than the second material hardness, such that the second portion provides a softer feel to a user of the door handle assembly when opening the door of the vehicle. The door handle assembly may further include an illumination source for illuminating the handle portion and / or a heating element for heating the handle portion.

An aftermarket, sound activated, wireless, vehicle door unlocking device comprising a sound sensor, processor, memory, and an RF transmitter, transponder, or transceiver capable of generating an unlocking signal, and method of using the device. The device may be easily installed by unskilled users without modifying the vehicle wires or structure. The operator of the device will program the device with an unlocking sound sequence, and the RF unlocking codes needed to unlock the vehicle door. The device continually monitors the sensor for unlocking sounds, and delivers a door unlocking signal when this sound is detected. Various embodiments, including embedded RF key embodiments, solar powered embodiments, and alternative ways of programming the device are also discussed.

A system, method, and apparatus for monitoring and detecting movement of components of a shipping container latch. A latch monitor may embody an electromagnetic sensing unit and a nearby magnet or light emitter for measuring and characterizing the profile of a nearby electromagnetic field. The field profile is monitored to detect a change in the profile, log the change, and report any abnormal disturbance to the electromagnetic field, indicating a breach of the integrity of a latching mechanism on a shipping container. An alert of a breach event may be sent via a communication network to an authority for response. The invention can distinguish authorized, incidental, and tampering events, and also store and upload an electronic manifest for a shipping container.

A latch for engaging and disengaging two opposing surfaces includes a pin disposed on one surface and a gate disposed on an opposite surface; an active material in operative communication with the pin or the gate, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an engagement or a disengagement of the pin or the gate from the other of the pin or the gate, wherein the disengagement without the activation signal is opposed by a lifting force.

A lid lock apparatus for a glove box is attached to inside of a lid to engage hook portions with the glove box. The lid lock apparatus includes a swing member a swing axis of which is rotatably supported by a lid of the glove box; a pair of lock arms, which are disposed in a symmetrical manner with respect to the swing axis, extend in a horizontal direction, and each includes the hook portion at a tip end thereof; and a subassembly member for bringing the lock arms close to each other and forming the lock arms and the swing member in a subassembly. The swing member is disposed in a symmetrical manner with respect to the swing axis and includes a pair of cam grooves extending with slanting. The lock arms include cam pins for engaging with the cam grooves to move the lock arms in opposite directions.

To ensure that an energy supply operation can be performed safely and smoothly on a vehicle having a plurality of energy ports such as a charging port, charging ports for supplying electric energy to a high voltage battery and a fuel supply port for supplying fuel to a fuel tank are provided in a vehicle body as energy supply ports. The fuel supply port and charging ports are respectively provided with lid members that are switched between a closed state and an open state by respective lock mechanisms. When closure of one lid member is released, all of the other lid members are prohibited from being switched to the open state, and therefore the number of energy supply ports having an open lid member is limited to one.

A locking canceling operation is made to be performed using as a driving force a restoring force produced when a deformable canceling member made of a shape memory alloy is heated to restore its memorized shape.

A portable transmitter of vehicle key system comprising a fingerprint detecting portion for detecting the user's fingerprint, a sending component for sending the fingerprint data from this fingerprint detecting portion, and a sender switch for triggering the transmission of fingerprint data from this sending component, this sender switch and the fingerprint detecting portion being disposed integrally, whereby the sender switch is activated in accordance with the user operating the fingerprint detecting portion.

A lock box assembly for enclosing and protecting a plastic security seal on the latch assembly of the door on a cargo container or trailer. The lock box includes first and second box members that together form an enclosure for the hasp assembly that holds the seal. Cooperating latch arm slots in the sides of the box members capture the latch arm, thereby securing the lock box to the latch assembly and preventing access to the seal. Aligned holes in the sides of the box members receive a lock pin. This configuration provides a lock box that is simple in design and easy to attach and remove using any conventional lock pin. The box is secured to the latch assembly by capturing the latch arm in the slots, eliminating the need for any structure to pass through the hasps, leaving the seal undisturbed.

An electro-mechanical lock for cargo containers or similar enclosed spaces such as storage units. The locking mechanism includes a dual-ratcheting mechanism, which is normally in the locked position, and which firmly secures doors of a container or other enclosure. To unlock the device, the user obtains a temporary access code and unlocks the device, either by a wireless interface or by, for example, a key pad. The device incorporates a rolling access code algorithm that changes the access code based upon a pre-defined customer selected time period during which the code is valid. Once the validity period expires the user must obtain a new access code from a secure access code source to unlock the device. When access is desired, the user contacts a remote secure access code source, which provides the access code for the associated lock and time period.

A semitrailer cargo door locking system is described for use with a semitrailer cargo door having as part of its opening mechanism a rotatable handle which secured within a hasp mechanism comprising a rigid lower hasp and a swivelable upper hasp. The locking system includes a shackleless keyed lock having an internal bolt for engaging aligned holes provided in the upper and lower hasps, thereby preventing unauthorized opening of the cargo doors when in a locked state. The lock housing is provided both with a protective extension to minimize attempts to pry the lock, and with a tapered side wall to prevent removal by the application of a destructive torque applied by a wrench or other like device. The lock is further provided with a anchor line for either permanently or removably securing the lock to the cargo door. To provide the lock with the ability to be used with regulated loads, a means may also be provided to attach a sealing structure to the lock.

A door-handle warning lamp for an automobile includes a door handle having its front side bored with a recessed chamber. A circuit board is installed in the recessed chamber and provided thereon with a plurality of LED lamps. A leak-preventing gasket is fitted in the recessed chamber and a transparent cover is covered on the recessed chamber of the door handle. Thus, when the automobile is to turn leftward or rightward and the left side or the right-side directional lamp is turned on, the warning lamp on the door handle will be lit up at the same time for warning. In addition, when the car door is opened, the door handle warning lamp will also be lit up to warn other cars and pedestrians passing by the left or the right side of the automobile.

An assisted manual actuating device includes a controlled member, which can be displaced from a first position into a second position, a control member, which is designed to actuate the controlled member, and a mechanical transmission, which connects the control member to the controlled member. The mechanical transmission includes a shape-memory element, which is supplied by an electrical-supply that can be activated when the control member reaches an actuation position. The assisted manual actuating device includes an activation device having an anchor for constraining the mechanical transmission when the control member reaches the actuation position of the device in such a way as to enable the mechanical transmission to move only in the direction useful for bringing the controlled member into the second position.

A vehicle security apparatus includes an immobilizer ECU, a remote security ECU, a display, an operation unit, and a power supply control unit. The immobilizer ECU controls a drive prohibition and drive permission for an engine based on an identification signal transmitted from a key and / or a remote setting signal and a remote unsetting signal output from the remote security ECU. When a remote setting signal has been transmitted to set an immobilizer, the power supply control unit causes a power supply transition to an accessory-on state or an ignition-on state when an authorized identification signal from the key is transmitted. Thus, the remote immobilizer is enabled to be unset by the display and the operation unit.

A vehicle door handle device for attaching to a door panel for operating a door latching device and a door locking device comprises an operation handle and a lock knob. The operation handle operates the latching device to unlatch and open the door. The lock knob operates the locking device to lock and unlock the door. An open cable links the operation handle to the latching device. A lock cable links the lock knob to the locking device. An inner handle housing houses the operation handle and the lock knob. The handle housing includes a cable support part defining a first space for receiving an end portion of the open cable, and a second space for receiving an end portion of the lock cable. The cable support part is configured to prevent one of the end portion of the open cable and the end portion of the lock cable from being received in one of the first space and the second space.