Mark A Nickeas

US Patent:

6920894, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

Jan 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/758339

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Westlake Village CA, US
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA, US

Assignee:

Flow Security Systems, Inc. - Camarillo CA

International Classification:

F16K035/00

US Classification:

137385, 137382, 70178, 70180, 70186

Abstract:

A valve security device for releasably securing a fluid flow valve in an inoperable position including an inner body adapted to be disposed about the valve actuator such that rotation of the inner body effects corresponding rotation of the actuator to open and close the valve and an outer body rotatably mounted about the inner body. A valve cap defining a secondary actuator is mounted on the outer body. An operating pin assembly is carried by the outer body which, in an extended position, operatively couples the outer body to the inner body such that the valve can be controlled by the secondary actuator. In a retracted position, the pin assembly uncouples the outer and inner bodies such that the outer body is freely rotatable on the inner body. A lock secures the operating pin assembly in the retracted position thereby releasably securing the valve in an inoperable position.

US Patent:

7096882, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Jan 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/028021

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Westlake Village CA, US
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA, US

Assignee:

Flow Security Systems, Inc. - Camarillo CA

International Classification:

F16K 27/08

US Classification:

137385, 137382, 70178, 70180, 70186

Abstract:

A valve security device for releasably securing a fluid flow valve in an inoperable position including an inner body adapted to be disposed about the valve actuator such that rotation of the inner body effects corresponding rotation of the actuator to open and close the valve and an outer body rotatably mounted about the inner body. A valve cap defining a secondary actuator is mounted on the outer body. An operating pin assembly is carried by the outer body which, in an extended position, operatively couples the outer body to the inner body such that the valve can be controlled by the secondary actuator. In a retracted position, the pin assembly uncouples the outer and inner bodies such that the outer body is freely rotatable on the inner body. A lock secures the operating pin assembly in the retracted position thereby releasably securing the valve in an inoperable position.

US Patent:

7287404, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Dec 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/164876

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Lake Sherwood CA, US
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA, US

Assignee:

Flow Security Systems, Inc. - Camarillo CA

International Classification:

B65D 55/14
F16K 35/00

US Classification:

70163, 70176, 70232, 70179, 215207, 220210, 137382

Abstract:

A security device for engaging an threaded element includes an inner body configured to engage the threaded element and an outer body operatively coupled to the inner body. A lock is configured to engage the outer body and is operable such that the outer body moves with the inner body when the lock is in an extended configuration and freely rotates relative to the inner body when the lock is in a retracted configuration.

US Patent:

8341988, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Feb 28, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/037201

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Westlake Village CA, US
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA, US

International Classification:

E05B 47/00

US Classification:

70276, 70175, 70382, 70387, 70413

Abstract:

A locking device for securing a structure comprising an inner body having an inner surface for attachment to the structure, an outer cover located circumferentially about the inner body, the outer cover freely rotating around the inner body in its securing configuration and a key for insertion into an opening in the outer body. First and second magnets are located in spaced apart first and second cavities within the key such that the magnets are oriented with the south pole of the first magnet and the north pole of the second magnet facing in the same direction. The magnets act on a pin within the body of the lock such that, in a first embodiment, when the key is removed from the lock body the pin is magnetically held away from contact with the inner body resulting in a free turning, locked configuration. When the key is inserted into the locking device the pin relocates to a second position causing the inner and outer body to move simultaneously so that rotational force applied to the outer cover is transmitted to the inner body placing the locking device in an unlocked configuration.

US Patent:

20110209509, Sep 1, 2011

Filed:

Feb 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/034499

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Lake Sherwood CA, US
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA, US
Frank L. Gentile - Seymour CT, US

International Classification:

E05B 47/02

US Classification:

70276

Abstract:

A magnetic barrel lock assembly comprises a lock body that defines a chamber having a first end and a second end that is opposite the first end. A plunger is located within the chamber and is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A lock magnet is located between the plunger and the first end of the chamber. A resilient member is configured to bias the plunger toward the first or second end of the chamber. A detent is configured to be extendable when the plunger is in the locked position and retractable when the plunger is in the unlocked position. Positioning a key magnet near the lock magnet moves the plunger to the unlocked position such that the detent may retract.

US Patent:

20120291501, Nov 22, 2012

Filed:

Jul 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/561785

Inventors:

Frank L. Gentile - Seymour CT, US
Mark Nickeas - Westlake Village CA, US
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA, US

International Classification:

E05B 47/02
E05B 19/26

US Classification:

70276

Abstract:

A magnetic lock and key assembly includes a magnetic lock assembly. The magnetic lock assembly includes a plunger translatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A detent is extendable when the plunger is in the locked position and retractable when the plunger is in the unlocked position. A lock magnet is translatable with the plunger and has an end defined by a lock magnet north pole and a lock magnet south pole. The magnetic lock and key assembly further includes a magnetic key assembly having a key magnet. The key magnet has an end defined by a key magnet north pole and a key magnet south pole. At least one of the lock magnet and the key magnet is rotatably supported to facilitate automatic magnetic attractive alignment, attraction of the lock magnet toward the key magnet, and translation of the plunger to the unlocked position.

US Patent:

59921919, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

Apr 6, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/056203

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Westlake Village CA
Martin Nickeas - Oxnard CA
Pasco C. Ponticelli - Camarillo CA

International Classification:

B60R 2502

US Classification:

70218

Abstract:

An anti-theft device for motor vehicles which selectively disables the vehicle by interrupting the operative connection of the steering wheel to the steering column. The device includes an outer cylindrical boss which is affixed to the steering wheel and an inner cylindrical boss which is affixed to the steering column. The outer boss is disposed about the inner boss and axially movable thereon with the steering wheel between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position the inner boss is coupled to the outer boss by a plurality of engaged locking teeth for operation of the vehicle. In the disengaged position locking teeth on the outer boss are axially separated from locking teeth on the inner boss and the outer boss and attached steering wheel are freely rotatable about the inner boss, operatively disengaging the steering wheel from the steering column and effectively disabling the vehicle. A locking assembly employing a key actuated cam and associated spring biased latch provides a dual coupling of the outer boss to the inner boss to securely lock the steering wheel in either the engaged position or the disengaged position.

US Patent:

57351511, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Sep 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/706617

Inventors:

Mark Nickeas - Westlake Village CA
Martin Nickeas - Agoura Hills CA

International Classification:

B60R 2502

US Classification:

70221

Abstract:

An anti-theft device for motor vehicles which selectively disables the vehicle by interrupting the operative connection of the steering wheel to the steering column. The device includes an outer cylindrical boss which is fixed to the steering wheel and rotatably mounted on and about an inner cylindrical boss affixed to the steering column. A key actuated locking mechanism is carried by the outer boss which selectively engages the inner boss to operatively connect the steering wheel to the steering column. By unlocking the locking mechanism, this operative connection is interrupted and the vehicle cannot be controlled by the steering wheel and is thus disabled. As the disabling of the vehicle is obtained when the locking mechanism is in an unlocked position as opposed to a locked position, damaging the mechanism by the application of excessive force will not overcome its disabling effects.