Patents by Inventor Ralf Steeger

Ralf Steeger 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: 20240026953
    Abstract: The invention relates to energy chains (10) for guiding lines, such as cables, hoses or the like. In roller chains, rollers (7A, 7B) are provided on at least some chain links (20) for moving the energy chain in a rolling manner, in particular on chain links of the opposite run, the rotational axis of one roller in each case coinciding with the common pivot axis (S) of a pair of side parts (40; 50) of the chain links (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Ralf STEEGER
  • Patent number: 11799277
    Abstract: A fastening part for fastening a cable carrier to a component, said fastening part comprising: a foot web which can be arranged on a component so as to extend in the peripheral direction thereof and has holding means in its end regions for a first fastening element for fastening the fastening part to the component; and a fastening web which extends in the direction of the foot web and which has multiple fastening means for fastening a differently designed second fastening element for fastening a cable carrier to the fastening part; wherein the foot web and the fastening web are connected to one another in their central region via a connecting element, and side regions of the fastening web extending beyond the connecting element have at least some of the fastening means as first fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Ralf Steeger, Joerg Ottersbach
  • Patent number: 11600981
    Abstract: A tension relief for a cable carrier. A multi-part holding frame comprising bars which are connected by side parts holds block-like spacers, between which a plurality of lines, such as cables, hoses or the like, are laid. In order to exert a clamping force by the holding frame on the spacers for the purpose of strain relief, a quickly closable device is provided. A quick release clamp can be provided, which in the closed position clamps the side parts and/or the bars to one another. According to the invention, the two side parts are mounted pivotably on the lower strip and are fastened releasably to the first bar, for example by screws or the quick release clamp. Each side part can thus be pivoted from the closed position into an open position and vice versa in order to release and clamp the lines respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Ralf Steeger, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Bilal Yilmaz
  • Publication number: 20220166202
    Abstract: A fastening part for fastening a cable carrier to a component, said fastening part comprising: a foot web which can be arranged on a component so as to extend in the peripheral direction thereof and has holding means in its end regions for a first fastening element for fastening the fastening part to the component; and a fastening web which extends in the direction of the foot web and which has multiple fastening means for fastening a differently designed second fastening element for fastening a cable carrier to the fastening part; wherein the foot web and the fastening web are connected to one another in their central region via a connecting element, and side regions of the fastening web extending beyond the connecting element have at least some of the fastening means as first fastening means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Ralf STEEGER, Joerg OTTERSBACH
  • Patent number: 11227707
    Abstract: A tension relief for supply lines and a block-like clamping part therefor, which has a lateral surface designed as a clamping surface. The clamping surface of the clamping part is formed at least in one clamping portion by an elastic wall, which is delimited on the side facing away from the clamping surface by a cavity structure, which is formed by additional walls. The clamping part can be variedly used without modification on certain line diameters, in particular in a tension relief of a cable carrier or also in a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Ralf Steeger, Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Bilal Yilmaz
  • Publication number: 20200161847
    Abstract: A tension relief for a cable carrier. A multi-part holding frame comprising bars which are connected by side parts holds block-like spacers, between which a plurality of lines, such as cables, hoses or the like, are laid. In order to exert a clamping force by the holding frame on the spacers for the purpose of strain relief, a quickly closable device is provided. A quick release clamp can be provided, which in the closed position clamps the side parts and/or the bars to one another. According to the invention, the two side parts are mounted pivotably on the lower strip and are fastened releasably to the first bar, for example by screws or the quick release clamp. Each side part can thus be pivoted from the closed position into an open position and vice versa in order to release and clamp the lines respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Ralf STEEGER, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Bilal YILMAZ
  • Publication number: 20200135366
    Abstract: A tension relief for supply lines and a block-like clamping part therefor, which has a lateral surface designed as a clamping surface. The clamping surface of the clamping part is formed at least in one clamping portion by an elastic wall, which is delimited on the side facing away from the clamping surface by a cavity structure, which is formed by additional walls. The clamping part can be variedly used without modification on certain line diameters, in particular in a tension relief of a cable carrier or also in a connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas HERMEY, Ralf STEEGER, Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Bilal YILMAZ
  • Patent number: 10247328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide system for supply lines for a handling device, particularly for a robot, having a guide base, a deflecting element guided along a linear travel path by the guide base, and a chain-like, hose-like or belt-like strand, where the deflecting element can travel along the travel path, from a retracted position into an extended position, by means of a tensile force acting on the strand and against a restoring force, the restoring force being generated by a restoring device located on or in the guide base. The restoring device displays at least one elastic cord or elastic belt that is guided around a deflecting device located on or in the guide base, adjacent to the retracted position of the deflecting element, and, adjoining it, a first section that is connected to the deflecting element, and a second section that is connected to the guide base. The invention furthermore relates to a handling device, particularly robot, having a guide system of this kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Ralf Steeger
  • Publication number: 20170023154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide system for supply lines for a handling device, particularly for a robot, having a guide base, a deflecting element guided along a linear travel path by the guide base, and a chain-like, hose-like or belt-like strand, where the deflecting element can travel along the travel path, from a retracted position into an extended position, by means of a tensile force acting on the strand and against a restoring force, the restoring force being generated by a restoring device located on or in the guide base. The restoring device displays at least one elastic cord or elastic belt that is guided around a deflecting device located on or in the guide base, adjacent to the retracted position of the deflecting element, and, adjoining it, a first section that is connected to the deflecting element, and a second section that is connected to the guide base. The invention furthermore relates to a handling device, particularly robot, having a guide system of this kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: Thilo-Alexander JAEKER, Ralf STEEGER
  • Patent number: 9435464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable guide (1) comprising links (2) that are each angle-adjustable multi-axially relative to each other and connected to each other in articulated fashion, where each link (2) displays an inner part (3) with corresponding, multi-axially angle-adjustable, articulated connectors (5, 6) and a casing part (4) for peripheral delimitation of at least one guiding duct (7), and the casing part (4) encompasses at least one segment (10), which is connected to the inner part (3) by a web (20), in a manner permitting it to be pivoted open for accessing the associated guiding duct (7) on the peripheral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: igus GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Steeger
  • Patent number: 9399299
    Abstract: A guide system for supply lines for a handling apparatus, in particular for an industrial robot, having a base and a carrier member, in or on which the supply lines can be arranged. The carrier member is arranged guided displaceably reciprocatingly between a deflection position and a return position over a displacement travel (V) for length compensation in a compensating portion in two runs connected together by way of a direction-changing bend and each having a respective end connecting point. The guide system has a return device for returning the carrier member to the return position. The return device is provided with a direction-changing guide having a direction-changing element which is arranged variably in respect of position relative to the base and against which the direction-changing bend is laterally supported for guidance thereof over the displacement travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Ralf Steeger
  • Publication number: 20160040803
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable guide (1) comprising links (2) that are each angle-adjustable multi-axially relative to each other and connected to each other in articulated fashion, where each link (2) displays an inner part (3) with corresponding, multi-axially angle-adjustable, articulated connectors (5, 6) and a casing part (4) for peripheral delimitation of at least one guiding duct (7), and the casing part (4) encompasses at least one segment (10), which is connected to the inner part (3) by a web (20), in a manner permitting it to be pivoted open for accessing the associated guiding duct (7) on the peripheral side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Ralf STEEGER
  • Publication number: 20140033851
    Abstract: A guide system for supply lines for a handling apparatus, in particular for an industrial robot, having a base and a carrier member, in or on which the supply lines can be arranged. The carrier member is arranged guided displaceably reciprocatingly between a deflection position and a return position over a displacement travel (V) for length compensation in a compensating portion in two runs connected together by way of a direction-changing bend and each having a respective end connecting point. The guide system has a return device for returning the carrier member to the return position. The return device is provided with a direction-changing guide having a direction-changing element which is arranged variably in respect of position relative to the base and against which the direction-changing bend is laterally supported for guidance thereof over the displacement travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Ralf Steeger
  • Patent number: 8266882
    Abstract: A cable guide (10), having articulated links (12), capable of angling in two directions, and open on an face end, and arranged one behind the other in a longitudinal direction and forming a guide channel (16) by means of external guide elements; joints absorbing tensile forces are located between two connected links, and the links (12) each display corresponding connecting elements (18) with two connecting components (20, 22). The first component (20) of the connecting element (18) is fork-shaped, where the second connecting component displays a first seat (32) with a spherical boundary, in which a joint element (34), having an opening (36) and a spherical outer boundary (35) adapted to the first seat, is moveable, and the second component with a joint element (34) can be positioned between the two legs of the first component in a way that the opening (36) in the joint element with a spherical outer boundary is aligned with an opening (27, 28) provided in each of the two legs (24, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Frank Blase, Ralf Steeger
  • Publication number: 20100275570
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable guide (10), consisting of links (12), connected to each other in articulated fashion, capable of angling in at least two directions relative to each other, and open on the face end, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable guide and form at least one guide channel (16) by means of their external guide elements, where joints absorbing tensile forces are located between two connected links within the cable guide, and the links (12) each display corresponding connecting elements (18) with two connecting components (20, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Hermey, Frank Blase, Ralf Steeger