Patents by Inventor Thomas Kossakowski

Thomas Kossakowski 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: 7834865
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a shaft with a knob which are rotatable about a shaft axis. The actuator includes a haptic effect device connected to the knob via the shaft. The haptic device is rotatable about the axis and includes a detent ring and a bolt fixed to the shaft. The haptic device and gearing engage one another such that haptic device is fixed in place unless the gearing is driven and the haptic device rotates when the gearing is driven. The bolt engages the detent ring to act as a mechanical catch for producing a haptic effect when the haptic device is fixed in place and the knob is manually rotated. The bolt engages the detent ring such that the haptic device together with the knob rotate when the gearing is being driven by a motor whereby the knob is rotated without manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hendrik Jannasch, Thomas Kossakowski
  • Publication number: 20070159307
    Abstract: A rotary actuator includes a shaft with a knob which are rotatable about a shaft axis. The actuator includes a haptic effect device connected to the knob via the shaft. The haptic device is rotatable about the axis and includes a detent ring and a bolt fixed to the shaft. The haptic device and gearing engage one another such that haptic device is fixed in place unless the gearing is driven and the haptic device rotates when the gearing is driven. The bolt engages the detent ring to act as a mechanical catch for producing a haptic effect when the haptic device is fixed in place and the knob is manually rotated. The bolt engages the detent ring such that the haptic device together with the knob rotate when the gearing is being driven by a motor whereby the knob is rotated without manual intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hendrik Jannasch, Thomas Kossakowski
  • Patent number: 5753874
    Abstract: A multi-stage electrical rocker actuated switch assembly is disclosed which basically consists of a rocker operating element which is pivotably mounted on a housing and four plungers which face the underside of the rocker operating element with one of their ends while the other ends engage with a movable contact part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Kossakowski
  • Patent number: 5565663
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing provided with at least one fixed contact part and one switching contact part, which moves in cooperation therewith. At least one actuating element is movably mounted in the housing. The actuating element influences switching positions of the switching contact part. Also disclosed is a camform which defines the switching positions and which interacts with a spring-loaded plunger associated with the actuating element in order to create operating forces. Moreover, a displaceable spring-loaded retaining device is disposed within the housing which enables the electrical switch to be held firmly in a locked position. Finally, at least one actuating element cooperates with a retaining device through a transfer device so that by use of increased force, the actuating element is brought into a functional position which does not correspond with any of the switching positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kossakowski, Hubert Gerbersmann, Michael Barwanitz, Hans-Joachim Frohne, Stefan Muller
  • Patent number: RE36834
    Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a housing provided with at least one fixed contact part and one switching contact part, which moves in cooperation therewith. At least one actuating element is movably mounted in the housing. The actuating element influences switching positions of the switching contact part. Also disclosed is a camform which defines the switching positions and which interacts with a spring-loaded plunger associated with the actuating element in order to create operating forces. Moreover, a displaceable spring-loaded retaining device is disposed within the housing which enables the electrical switch to be held firmly in a locked position .Iadd.within a receptacle.Iaddend.. Finally, at least one actuating element cooperates with a retaining device through a transfer device so that by use of increased force, the actuating element is brought into a functional position which does not correspond with any of the switching positions. The retaining device is brought into its unlocked position .Iadd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kossakowski, Hubert Gerbersmann, Michael Barwanitz, Hans-Joachim Frohne, Stefan Muller