Patents by Inventor Franz Horneffer

Franz Horneffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090049943
    Abstract: A process for the prevention of unintentional gear shifting from a non-friction locked position of a transmission is proposed, which is comprised by an electrical or electronic gear shift control and a friction-locked gear shift or selector device, within the scope of which the requested friction-locked position detected by the electrical or electronic gear shift control is outputted and is displayed to the driver by way of a position display during position shifting from a non-friction locked position, at the latest when the friction-locked gear shift or selector device has reached a position or a range within which it can remain in an automatic lockup, whereupon this position is implemented in the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Franz HORNEFFER, Bernd Zanglein, Stephane Klein
  • Patent number: 5080207
    Abstract: Servo-assisted gear selection for a vehicle gearbox and gear change controlled by the driver by actuating the clutch, wherein the driver is informed of the selection having been performed in the gearbox by a haptic or tactile signal at the clutch pedal. The signal is transmitted mechanically from an electromagnet to the clutch pedal, or the electromagnet is arranged in the pedal plate of the clutch pedal. The signal generator may also consist of an electromagnet in conjunction with a pressure piston, which acts on the pressure line of the clutch actuating mechanism, or of an electropneumatic valve in conjunction with a differential piston signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Franz Horneffer