Patents by Inventor Knut Hofmann

Knut Hofmann 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).

  • Patent number: 7117635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trapping protector (1) including a hollow profile (12) for a power-operated closing device, more particularly for a motor vehicle sunroof. The hollow profile (12) is provided at at least one of its ends (14) with an appendage (21) of less thickness than the hollow profile (12). Due to the ends (14); 15) of the hollow profile (12) overlapping a trapping protector on all sides is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile
    Inventors: Andreas Thal, Johann Hertel, Knut Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6896268
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped seal for sealing a power-operated closing device comprising a jam-protection zone, which has at least two electrically conductive areas, situated at a distance from each other. According to the invention, to save space and reduce weight and cost, the carrier is used as a metallic conductor for the conductive area so as to reduce volume resistance. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a frame can be used to which the shaped seal can be fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Knut Hofmann, Bernd Westerhoff
  • Publication number: 20050017460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaped seal for sealing a power-operated closing device comprising a jam-protection zone, which has at least two electrically conductive areas, situated at a distance from each other. According to the invention, to save space and reduce weight and cost, the carrier is used as a metallic conductor for the conductive area so as to reduce volume resistance. Alternatively or in addition thereto, a frame can be used to which the shaped seal can be fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Applicant: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GMBH
    Inventors: Knut Hofmann, Bernd Westerhoff
  • Publication number: 20040247725
    Abstract: The invention relates to a form tool for producing particle foam molded parts having at least one tool part consisting of a finite number of layers which are parallel to each other, at least in segments, in which the individual layers have contours such that a stack formed by the totality of all layers defines at least one part of a form cavity which can be filled with expandable beads of a thermoplastic material, and having means for supplying and discharging gaseous and liquid heat transfer media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Eberhard Lang, Rudiger Jahnke, Maik Ziegler, Jurgen Bruning, Kai Wacker, Knut Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20030042766
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trapping protector (1) including a hollow profile (12) for a power-operated closing device, more particularly for a motor vehicle sunroof. The hollow profile (12) is provided at at least one of its ends (14) with an appendage (21) of less thickness than the hollow profile (12). Due to the ends (14); 15) of the hollow profile (12) overlapping a trapping protector on all sides is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Metzeler Automotive Profiles GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Thal, Johann Hertel, Knut Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6463698
    Abstract: A trapping protector (1) for disposition about an opening in a vehicle body such as a sun roof includes a hollow profile (12) for a power-operated closing device (14) for closing the opening. Terminals (16) are provided at one end of the hollow profile (12) and a function-checking arrangement (28) is provided at the other end of the hollow profile (12). The two ends (23, 24) are brought close together and are axially aligned along a longitudinal centerline and the function-checking arrangement (28) as well as the terminals (16) are arranged laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline (13) of the hollow profile (12) to thus achieve a trapping protector function along substantially the entire periphery of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profiles GmbH
    Inventor: Knut Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6358459
    Abstract: A method for the production of molded bodies comprising foam particles is proposed in which the foam particles are shaped and welded together using microwave energy. The foam particles are accommodated in a foil-like bag and the bag is manually shaped or shaped through the use of a shaped mold with simultaneous change of the shape of the foam particles, and evacuated into a dense package. Microwave energy is subsequently used to melt together at least the surfaces of the foam particles. The method in accordance with the invention is particularly well suited as an economical manufacturing technique for packaging, in particular specialized packaging for models, small production runs, prototypes and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschunge. V.
    Inventors: Maik Ziegler, Adam Geissler, Axel Kauffmann, Lars Ziegler, Knut Hofmann, Peter Elsner