Patents by Inventor Lothar Thommes

Lothar Thommes 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: 10710438
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying sealing profiles to vehicle bodies or parts thereof, includes drawing off the sealing profile from an unwinding unit and rolling the sealing profile onto the vehicle body or the part of the vehicle body along an application line provided for application purposes, by a pressure-exerting roller of an application head. An arrangement of an automatic optical inspection system within the application apparatus provides for direct detection of defects and discontinuities of the sealing profile by the user without any need for markings on the sealing profile wound up on the roll or for data handling between the manufacturer of the sealing profile and the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TESLA GROHMANN AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Lothar Thommes
  • Patent number: 10703183
    Abstract: A method for fitting sealing profiles on vehicle bodies or the parts thereof includes withdrawing the sealing profile from an unwinding unit and, by way of an adhesive layer arranged on the sealing profile, rolling of the application device the sealing profile on the vehicle body or the part of the vehicle body, along an application line provided for fitting purposes, by a pressure-exerting roller of an application head. Defects and discontinuities in the sealing profile are detected immediately by the arrangement of an automatic optical inspection system within the application device, on the user side, i.e., in particular without there being any need for markings on the wound-up sealing profile or for data handling between the manufacturer of the sealing profile and the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TESLA GROHMANN AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes
  • Publication number: 20190105976
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for applying sealing profiles to vehicle bodies or parts thereof, includes drawing off the sealing profile from an unwinding unit and rolling the sealing profile onto the vehicle body or the part of the vehicle body along an application line provided for application purposes, by a pressure-exerting roller of an application head. An arrangement of an automatic optical inspection system within the application apparatus provides for direct detection of defects and discontinuities of the sealing profile by the user without any need for markings on the sealing profile wound up on the roll or for data handling between the manufacturer of the sealing profile and the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventor: Lothar THOMMES
  • Publication number: 20180345774
    Abstract: A method for fitting sealing profiles on vehicle bodies or the parts thereof includes withdrawing the sealing profile from an unwinding unit and, by way of an adhesive layer arranged on the sealing profile, rolling of the application device the sealing profile on the vehicle body or the part of the vehicle body, along an application line provided for fitting purposes, by a pressure-exerting roller of an application head. Defects and discontinuities in the sealing profile are detected immediately by the arrangement of an automatic optical inspection system within the application device, on the user side, i.e., in particular without there being any need for markings on the wound-up sealing profile or for data handling between the manufacturer of the sealing profile and the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus GROHMANN, Lothar THOMMES
  • Patent number: 8870518
    Abstract: A device and to a method for stacking plate-like products into a straight, cylindrical stack having an upper and a lower side and at least two side surfaces arranged at a distance from each other. In order to create a desired pretension in the stack already during stacking, which can even be maintained when individual products are added, the plate-like products are lifted against gravity from the bottom to the top into a stack nest, the products are held in the stack nest by applying a force on the side surfaces thereof to prevent dropping in the direction of gravity. While the force application is maintained, further products are added to the stack in the stack nest from the bottom side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Charles W. McClure
  • Patent number: 8806730
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting rail (8) for mounting and positioning a seal, having attachment devices (12) disposed on a longitudinal side (15) of the mounting rail and each separated from each other by an interruption (13). In order to propose a mounting rail comprising high flexibility allowing simple insertion of the seal even after a long period of use and allowing more uniform pressure distribution when pressing on the seal, the invention proposes that the mounting rail (8) comprises a web (19) running through on the other longitudinal side (16), and at least one opening (1ha-c) is disposed in the mounting rail between the web and each attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes
  • Publication number: 20140072867
    Abstract: An electrode (1) for an electrochemical energy storage apparatus has a contour (2) exhibiting two side edges, wherein a first side edge (3) and a second side edge (4) are interconnected by a connecting section (5). The connecting section (5) comprises a substantially linear region (5a) which transitions into the first side edge (3), and a substantially curved region (5b) which transitions into the second side edge (4). When manufacturing such an electrode the first side edge (3) is created by a first cut, the second side edge (4) is created by a second cut, and the connecting section (5) is created along with the first cut or the second cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert VONDERHAGEN, Lothar THOMMES, Steffen LEGNER, Claus-Rupert HOHENTHANNER
  • Patent number: 8408097
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screwing tool that comprises a drive arranged in a housing and an output shaft connected to said drive, a screwdriver point being arranged at the front face of the output shaft. The aim of the invention is to provide a screwing tool with which different connecting elements, in particular actuating and clamping elements consisting of a screwable sleeve and an inner screw can be screwed with only a single screwing tool. In order to achieve this aim, the screwing tool comprises a receiving part (500) which surrounds the output shaft and is displaceably guided in the direction of the axis (202) of the output shaft (200) against the force of a return element (505).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes
  • Patent number: 8398808
    Abstract: A method for attaching a sealing profile to a vehicle body part includes the steps of pulling the sealing profile from a storage unit; passing the sealing profile through a first buffer which compensates for differences between incoming and outgoing speeds of the sealing profile; attaching an adhesive strip to the sealing profile continuously, the adhesive strip having a first adhesive layer facing the sealing profile and a second adhesive layer facing away from the sealing profile; passing the sealing profile with the attached adhesive strip through a second buffer which compensates for differences between incoming and outgoing speeds of the sealing profile; and rolling the second adhesive layer onto the vehicle body part. The adhesive strip is attached to the sealing strip in an assembly unit which heats the first adhesive layer as it moves around a press roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Martin Weinandy
  • Publication number: 20120174364
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting rail (8) for mounting and positioning a seal, having attachment devices (12) disposed on a longitudinal side (15) of the mounting rail and each separated from each other by an interruption (13). In order to propose a mounting rail comprising high flexibility allowing simple insertion of the seal even after a long period of use and allowing more uniform pressure distribution when pressing on the seal, the invention proposes that the mounting rail (8) comprises a web (19) running through on the other longitudinal side (16), and at least one opening (1ha-c) is disposed in the mounting rail between the web and each attachment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes
  • Publication number: 20110305553
    Abstract: A device and to a method for stacking plate-like products into a straight, cylindrical stack having an upper and a lower side and at least two side surfaces arranged at a distance from each other. In order to create a desired pretension in the stack already during stacking, which can even be maintained when individual products are added, the plate-like products are lifted against gravity from the bottom to the top into a stack nest, the products are held in the stack nest by applying a force on the side surfaces thereof to prevent dropping in the direction of gravity. While the force application is maintained, further products are added to the stack in the stack nest from the bottom side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Charles W. Mcclure
  • Patent number: 7914642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for process automation, for connecting the edge of two correspondingly profiled ends of at least one profiled sealing element, said profiled sealing element being already applied to a surface of a vehicle or a vehicle component. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Bernhard Kohlen
  • Publication number: 20100199811
    Abstract: The invention relates to a screwing tool that comprises a drive arranged in a housing and an output shaft connected to said drive, a screwdriver point being arranged at the front face of the output shaft. The aim of the invention is to provide a screwing tool with which different connecting elements, in particular actuating and clamping elements consisting of a screwable sleeve and an inner screw can be screwed with only a single screwing tool. In order to achieve this aim, the screwing tool comprises a receiving part (500) which surrounds the output shaft and is displaceably guided in the direction of the axis (202) of the output shaft (200) against the force of a return element (505).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes
  • Publication number: 20100024976
    Abstract: A method for attaching a sealing profile to a vehicle body part includes the steps of pulling the sealing profile from a storage unit; passing the sealing profile through a first buffer which compensates for differences between incoming and outgoing speeds of the sealing profile; attaching an adhesive strip to the sealing profile continuously, the adhesive strip having a first adhesive layer facing the sealing profile and a second adhesive layer facing away from the sealing profile; passing the sealing profile with the attached adhesive strip through a second buffer which compensates for differences between incoming and outgoing speeds of the sealing profile; and rolling the second adhesive layer onto the vehicle body part. The adhesive strip is attached to the sealing strip in an assembly unit which heats the first adhesive layer as it moves around a press roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Martin Weinandy
  • Publication number: 20090126868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for process automation, for connecting the edge of two correspondingly profiled ends of at least one profiled sealing element, said profiled sealing element being already applied to a surface of a vehicle or a vehicle component. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Bernhard Kohlen
  • Patent number: 7055228
    Abstract: At least one installation plate is mounted on a base frame, every installation plate having at least one movable plate segment and means for changing the position of every movable plate segment. In order to exactly position the sealing strip to be bonded relative to the installation surface of the vehicle door, every movable plate segment is associated with a reference plunger that is mounted on the base frame so as to be displaceable in the axial direction. The reference plunger extends from the base frame in the direction of the movable plate segment and can be locked relative to the base frame. The reference plunger has on one end an adjustable cam that can be brought into the released from engagement with the vehicle part. At a distance from the earn projection, the reference plunger is provided with a stationary stop against which the associated plate segment can be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Lothar Thommes, Bernhard Kohlen, Klaus Grohmann
  • Publication number: 20040211044
    Abstract: At least one installation plate is mounted on a base frame, every installation plate having at least one movable plate segment and means for changing the position of every movable plate segment. In order to exactly position the sealing strip to be bonded relative to the installation surface of the vehicle door, every movable plate segment is associated with a reference plunger that is mounted on the base frame so as to be displaceable in the axial direction. The reference plunger extends from the base frame in the direction of the movable plate segment and can be locked relative to the base frame. The reference plunger has on one end an adjustable cam that can be brought into the released from engagement with the vehicle part. At a distance from the cam, the reference plunger is provided with a stationary stop against which the associated plate segment can be moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Lothar Thommes, Bernhard Kohlen, Klaus Grohmann