Patents by Inventor Markus Altmann

Markus Altmann 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: 20070256803
    Abstract: A multiply fibrous structure product having two or more plies of fibrous structure wherein the fibrous structure has a Compression Slope from about 11 to about 30; a basis weight from about 26 lbs/3000 ft2 to about 50 lbs/3000 ft2; a Wet Caliper greater than about 18 mils; and a Flex Modulus from about 0.1 to about 0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sheehan, Markus Altmann, Osman Polat, Robert Ampulski
  • Publication number: 20070221487
    Abstract: A switch module includes a switch housing on which at least one operating button or operating rocker is movably guided. The switch module further includes a printed circuit board which is arranged in the switch housing and on which conductor paths with switching contacts are formed, a switching mat which rests on the conductor paths, and an actuating element which transfers the stroke of the operating button or operating rocker to the switching mat. The switching mat engages around the outer edge of the printed circuit board with a form fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Juergen Schmider
  • Patent number: 7071435
    Abstract: A toggle switch has a switching rocker having at least one arm and one guide plate that has at least one receptacle, in which at least one activation push rod is movably guided in a linear fashion. The arm of the switching rocker can exert a force on the activation push rod. A switching unit is provided, on which the activation push rod can act so as to close an electrical contact. The guide plate and the activation push rod each have a break line, along which, before the assembly of the toggle switch, they were joined to each other in an integral fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Publication number: 20060055247
    Abstract: A rotary light switch for motor vehicles is presented that ensures a feel that is not susceptible to mechanical influences. The rotary light switch has an actuator that can be rotated around an axis and that can be moved in the axial direction, and that is non-rotatably coupled to a rotational position indicator and axially coupled to an axial position indicator. Moreover, it has an electronic evaluation circuit to which the signals from the rotational position indicator and from the axial position indicator are fed and, according to a permanently stored decision matrix, said evaluation circuit uses the signals to derive discrete switching states that are converted into switching signals that serve to actuate the lighting system of the vehicle. The rotational position indicator comprises a potentiometer that generates a negligible resistance to the rotational movement, so that no mechanical influences are caused by the rotational position indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Stefan Seiler, Christoph Schostok, Matthias Rimmele
  • Patent number: 6987231
    Abstract: A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units that have pushbutton surfaces located close to each other in a shared operating surface. The switch has a shared switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided, and a cap mounted over the actuation tappets and onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique and consists of a relatively rigid plastic frame with recessed windows each of a shape and size that corresponds to the circumference of one of the pushbutton surfaces and of a silicone membrane extending over the recessed windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Schmon, Markus Altmann, Peter Schulte
  • Publication number: 20050241925
    Abstract: A rotary switch for installation in the dashboard of a vehicle has a switch housing, an actuation shaft that is arranged rotatably in the switch housing, a knob that is mounted on one end of the actuation shaft, and a ring-shaped faceplate that surrounds the knob and that is detachably fastened to the switch housing. The faceplate is connected to the switch housing by a locking mechanism. This locking mechanism can be released by a relative rotation between the faceplate and the switch housing. The knob can be moved axially in a predetermined rotational position and is coupled non-rotatably to the faceplate by means of this axial movement. In order to detach the faceplate from the switch housing, the knob is moved into the predetermined rotational position and then moved axially and turned at the same time, whereby the faceplate also turns and the latched connection between the faceplate and the switch housing is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20050184536
    Abstract: A device (10) for fastening a component to a steering column jacket (20, 20?), comprises a fastening sleeve (12) and an equalizer (14) associated with the fastening sleeve (12). The fastening sleeve (12) has at least one mounting section (18) and convexities (22) adjoining the mounting section (18). The mounting section (18) has a first mounting cross-section to receive the steering column jacket (20; 20?), and the equalizer (14) comprises equalizing jaws (16) laterally movable in the fastening sleeve (12), which are movable between a first position in which they are received in the convexities (22), and a second position in which they lie at least partially in the mounting section (18) and define a second mounting cross-section for the steering column jacket (20; 20?), which is smaller than the first mounting cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Markus Mauch
  • Patent number: 6888079
    Abstract: A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units with pushbutton surfaces that are close to each other in a common operating surface. The switch has a common switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided. A cap is mounted onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique of a relatively rigid plastic frame with a cutout window whose shape and size correspond to the circumference of a pushbutton surface and of a silicone membrane stretched over the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Publication number: 20050075741
    Abstract: A modular switch and control system for use in a motor vehicle is provided, that is easily and flexibly adapted to the particular needs and requires no additional wiring for added modules. The modular switch and control system comprises a main switch module and optional satellite modules of different types. The main and satellite modules have separate housings with matching engagement structures permitting each satellite module to be fitted to one side of the main module. Each satellite module is electrically connected with the main module through matching male and female connectors. Each satellite module is provided with electrical coding means accessible through the connectors and permitting each satellite to be provided with a code indicative of the module type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Dieter Bornhorst, Christoph Schostok, Karl-Heinz Wohlfahrt
  • Publication number: 20050051413
    Abstract: A toggle switch has a switching rocker having at least one arm and one guide plate that has at least one receptacle, in which at least one activation push rod is movably guided in a linear fashion. The arm of the switching rocker can exert a force on the activation push rod. A switching unit is provided, on which the activation push rod can act so as to close an electrical contact. The guide plate and the activation push rod each have a break line, along which, before the assembly of the toggle switch, they were joined to each other in an integral fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Publication number: 20050015887
    Abstract: The invention concerns the treatment of clothes for dry wrinkle resistance, in particular in-wear wrinkle resistance. The clothes are treated with an amphoteric polymer and secured in the desired configuration, preferably during a process of ironing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Bruno Hubesch, Heidi Soyez, Jurgen Detering, Ulrich Steuerle
  • Publication number: 20050015888
    Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising a lubricant, preferably a water-soluble one, and components having a deviation of fabric wrinkle recovery angle versus water of at least +15, whereby the combination imparts in-wear wrinkle resistance to the fabric treated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Bruno Hubesch, Els Goossens, Heidi Simonne Soyez
  • Patent number: 6781073
    Abstract: A switch 2 is provided, especially a motor vehicle brake-light switch, which can be actuated by a switch element 1, whereby an adjustment device 3 is arranged between switch 2 and the switch element 1. The adjustment device is designed as lever arm which is connected on one side with the switch element 1 and on the other side with an actuating part 20 of switch 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Zdenek Pavlis
  • Publication number: 20040089530
    Abstract: A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units that have pushbutton surfaces located close to each other in a shared a crating surface. The switch has a shared switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided, and a cap mounted over the actuation tappets and onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique and consists of a relatively rigid plastic frame with recessed windows each of a shape and size that corresponds to the circumference of one of the pushbutton surfaces and of a silicone membrane extending over the recessed windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilfried Schmon, Markus Altmann, Peter Schulte
  • Publication number: 20040089526
    Abstract: A multifunctional pushbutton switch for a vehicle steering wheel has a plurality of pushbutton switching units with pushbutton surfaces that are close to each other in a common operating surface. The switch has a common switch housing in which actuation tappets of the pushbutton switching units are movably guided. A cap is mounted onto the switch housing. The cap is made by means of a two-component injection-molding technique of a relatively rigid plastic frame with a cutout window whose shape and size correspond. to the circumference of a pushbutton surface and of a solicone membrane stretched over the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Patent number: 6609426
    Abstract: A pressure sensor comprises a sensor diaphragm which on one of its surfaces can be acted upon by the fluid pressure to be defected. The sensor diaphragm is rigidly supported at its opposite surface. It is made of an elastomeric material of an electrically non-conducting material wherein fine particles of electrically conducting material are homogenously embedded and distributed in such a density that a compression of the sensor diaphragm caused by the fluid pressure results in a measurable change in its electrical resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Robert Skofljanec, Clemens Müller
  • Patent number: 6600118
    Abstract: An actuating system for a vehicular interior comprises a panel (12) with a front face and a module element (14) for assembly in an opening (16) of the panel (12). The panel (12) has side walls (18) which are perpendicular to the front face. The panel (12) and the module element (14) have cooperating latching elements which comprise a detent (26) and a latching edge (22). The detent (26) is configured on an elastically deflectable tongue (24) and comprises a ramp surface (28) cooperating with the latching edge (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Publication number: 20030082723
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method of recombination for site-specific recombinase-mediated recombination using mutated recognition sequences. For this purpose a non-identical pair of recognition sequence mutants is used. Each of the recognition sequence mutants consists of two recognition sequences separated by a spacer. A mutation is introduced into one of the recognition sequences to create, after recombination by a sequence-specific recombinase, a recognition sequence mutant which is no longer recognized by the recombinase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Markus Altmann, Bernhard Neuhierl, Wolfgang Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 6384328
    Abstract: A multiple switch includes a pair of switch units arranged in a row and forming a common actuating surface. The switch units are provided with uniform module housings (12). The adjoining module housings (12) are mechanically rigidly coupled to each other by a connecting element (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann
  • Publication number: 20020011403
    Abstract: An actuating system for a vehicular interior comprises a panel (12) with a front face and a module element (14) for assembly in an opening (16) of the panel (12). The panel (12) has side walls (18) which are perpendicular to the front face. The panel (12) and the module element (14) have cooperating latching elements which comprise a detent (26) and a latching edge (22). The detent (26) is configured on an elastically deflectable tongue (24) and comprises a ramp surface (28) cooperating with the latching edge (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Altmann