Patents by Inventor Michael Leppla

Michael Leppla 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: 9175729
    Abstract: A method for producing a bearing assembly for a vehicle seat, which has a first bearing element (12) and a second bearing element (16) which can be moved in a movement direction (r) relative thereto, wherein the first bearing element first receives the second bearing element, with a large, undefined play in a play direction (p) which is perpendicular to the movement direction, and the first bearing element and/or the second bearing element is later deformed in a plastic manner by pressurizing in a stamping direction (x) until the first bearing element and the second bearing element contact each other without play in the play direction. Before the plastic deformation, the first bearing element elastically deforms under reduction of play and the elastic deformation is reversed after the plastic deformation, so that a defined clearance fit occurs between the first bearing element and the second bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Michael Leppla
  • Publication number: 20140301682
    Abstract: A method for producing a bearing assembly for a vehicle seat, which has a first bearing element (12) and a second bearing element (16) which can be moved in a movement direction (r) relative thereto, wherein the first bearing element first receives the second bearing element, with a large, undefined play in a play direction (p) which is perpendicular to the movement direction, and the first bearing element and/or the second bearing element is later deformed in a plastic manner by pressurizing in a stamping direction (x) until the first bearing element and the second bearing element contact each other without play in the play direction. Before the plastic deformation, the first bearing element elastically deforms under reduction of play and the elastic deformation is reversed after the plastic deformation, so that a defined clearance fit occurs between the first bearing element and the second bearing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Michael Leppla