Patents by Inventor Werner Lehr

Werner Lehr 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: 7971621
    Abstract: A filling bell can be used to fill a tubeless tire arranged on a wheel rim with a pressurized gas. The filling bell includes an annular sealing face which can be pressed onto a side wall of the tire. The filling bell also includes a central opening, into which the wheel rim may penetrate. The sealing face is formed by an annular flange which surrounds the opening and includes a plurality of wedge-shaped segments. The width of the wedge-shaped segments increases away from the opening. The wedge-shaped segments are displaceable relative to one another and substantially radially relative to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 7654788
    Abstract: A device for mounting a pneumatic tire onto a vehicle wheel rim comprises a handling robot, including a robot hand (7), which is movable about a plurality of axes and comprises a rotationally drivable flange (8) and a gripper (2) attached thereto, the gripper including a base element (10) and at least two gripper arms (15) which are movable radially relative to the centre axis of the gripper (2). The gripper arms (15) are coupled to a synchronization device, which synchronizes the radial movement of the gripper arms (15) and includes a disc (23), mounted on the base element (10) of the gripper (2) so as to be rotatable about the centre axis of the gripper and rotationally drivable via a motor, and coupling members (25) fixed to the disc (23) and the gripper arms (15) via hinged joints (26,27) in such a way that a rotation of the disc (23) produces a synchronous radial movement of the gripper arms (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr
  • Publication number: 20090260764
    Abstract: In a filling bell (1) for filling a tubeless tire (30) arranged on a wheel rim with a pressurized gas, comprising an annular sealing face (3) which can be pressed onto a side wall (31) of the tire and a central opening (6), into which the wheel rim may penetrate, it is provided for the sealing face (3) to be formed by an annular flange (2) which surrounds the opening (6) and comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped segments (4), of which the width increases away from the opening (6) and which are displaceable relative to one another and substantially radially relative to the opening (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 7604035
    Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus includes a mounting head that is rotated by a drive shaft and slidably carries two adjusting plates. A push rod extends coaxially through the drive shaft, and a deflecting rod slopes laterally from the push rod through openings in the plates. The deflecting rod has two sloping actuating surfaces with different slope angles that engage in the openings of the plates to cause different sliding displacement of each plate by an axial actuation of the push rod. A bead deflector and a pressing roller are respectively mounted on the plates so they can be adjusted to different wheel rim diameters. A toggle lever and/or a pivot joint adjust a pivot angle of at least one of the tire mounting tools to remain tangential to the wheel rim circumference while it is slidingly adjusted to a different wheel diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Lehr, Andreas Peinelt
  • Patent number: 7506671
    Abstract: A tire filling apparatus preferably includes a support and seal arrangement on which a wheel-tire combination is supported in a horizontally lying orientation, a tire filling plate, and a plurality of differently-sized tire filling rings. Based on the diameter of the wheel-tire combination to be filled with air, a properly sized one of the filling rings is selected and positioned coaxially along the wheel axis between the tire and the filling plate. The filling plate moves toward the tire, sealingly contacts the filling ring, and presses the filling ring against the upwardly facing tire sidewall, until an open air filling gap is formed between the tire sidewall bead and the wheel rim. Pressurized air is introduced through the filling plate, the filling ring, and the open air filling gap into the tire interior, until the gap is closed by the increasing air pressure in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Peinelt, Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr, Roland Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20080128093
    Abstract: A device for mounting a pneumatic tire onto a vehicle wheel rim comprises a handling robot, including a robot hand (7), which is movable about a plurality of axes and comprises a rotationally drivable flange (8) and a gripper (2) attached thereto, the gripper including a base element (10) and at least two gripper arms (15) which are movable radially relative to the centre axis of the gripper (2). The gripper arms (15) are coupled to a synchronization device, which synchronizes the radial movement of the gripper arms (15) and includes a disc (23), mounted on the base element (10) of the gripper (2) so as to be rotatable about the centre axis of the gripper and rotationally drivable via a motor, and coupling members (25) fixed to the disc (23) and the gripper arms (15) via hinged joints (26, 27) in such a way that a rotation of the disc (23) produces a synchronous radial movement of the gripper arms (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr
  • Publication number: 20080128092
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a tire on a wheel rim includes a mounting head that is rotated by a drive shaft and slidably carries two adjusting plates. A push rod extends coaxially through the drive shaft, and a deflecting rod slopes laterally from the push rod through respective openings in the plates. The deflecting rod has two sloping actuating surfaces with different slope angles that respectively engage in the openings of the plates to cause different sliding displacement of each plate by an axial actuation of the push rod. A bead deflector and a pressing roller are respectively mounted on the plates so they can be adjusted to different wheel rim diameters. A toggle lever and/or a pivot joint adjust a pivot angle of at least one of the tire mounting tools to remain tangential to the wheel rim circumference while it is slidingly adjusted to a different wheel diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Lehr, Andreas Peinelt
  • Patent number: 7264032
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a tire on a wheel rim includes a mounting head with a tire bead deflector and a tire press-in roller, and a drive that moves the mounting head toward, and rotates the bead deflector and the press-in roller around, the wheel rim. To avoid a damage-causing contact between the bead deflector and the wheel rim, an arrangement for monitoring a minimum spacing distance between the wheel rim and the mounting head is arranged preferably on the bead deflector. If an improper working position closer than the minimum spacing distance is detected, the arrangement produces a signal that influences, e.g. stops, the motion of the mounting head. The arrangement preferably includes a contact member of a comparatively soft low-friction material at a working end of the bead deflector. If the contact member contacts the wheel rim, this actuates a piezoelectric element to generate the required electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Peinelt, Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 7201203
    Abstract: In a device for clamping the rim of a vehicle wheel, in particular for mounting tires, comprising a shelf (35), onto which the rim may be deposited by one side, and comprising clamping jaws (12 to 15), which may be moved radially relative to the rim, for clamping the rim edge adjacent to the shelf (35), two pairs of clamping jaws (12 to 15), of which the paths of movement intersect at right angles, are provided. The movement of the clamping jaws (12 to 15) is generated by a cylinder (22) and is synchronized by means of a gear unit (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Dieter Thelen, Werner Lehr
  • Publication number: 20060136288
    Abstract: A tire filling apparatus preferably includes a support and seal arrangement on which a wheel-tire combination is supported in a horizontally lying orientation, a tire filling plate, and a plurality of differently-sized tire filling rings. Based on the diameter of the wheel-tire combination to be filled with air, a properly sized one of the filling rings is selected and positioned coaxially along the wheel axis between the tire and the filling plate. The filling plate moves toward the tire, sealingly contacts the filling ring, and presses the filling ring against the upwardly facing tire sidewall, until an open air filling gap is formed between the tire sidewall bead and the wheel rim. Pressurized air is introduced through the filling plate, the filling ring, and the open air filling gap into the tire interior, until the gap is closed by the increasing air pressure in the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Applicant: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Peinelt, Martin Rogalla, Werner Lehr, Roland Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20060049616
    Abstract: In a device for clamping the rim of a vehicle wheel, in particular for mounting tires, comprising a shelf (35), onto which the rim may be deposited by one side, and comprising clamping jaws (12 to 15), which may be moved radially relative to the rim, for clamping the rim edge adjacent to the shelf (35), two pairs of clamping jaws (12 to 15), of which the paths of movement intersect at right angles, are provided. The movement of the clamping jaws (12 to 15) is generated by a cylinder (22) and is synchronized by means of a gear unit (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Rogalla, Dieter Thelen, Werner Lehr
  • Publication number: 20060037712
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a tire on a wheel rim includes a mounting head with a tire bead deflector and a tire press-in roller, and a drive that moves the mounting head toward, and rotates the bead deflector and the press-in roller around, the wheel rim. To avoid a damage-causing contact between the bead deflector and the wheel rim, an arrangement for monitoring a minimum spacing distance between the wheel rim and the mounting head is arranged preferably on the bead deflector. If an improper working position closer than the minimum spacing distance is detected, the arrangement produces a signal that influences, e.g. stops, the motion of the mounting head. The arrangement preferably includes a contact member of a comparatively soft low-friction material at a working end of the bead deflector. If the contact member contacts the wheel rim, this actuates a piezoelectric element to generate the required electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Applicant: Schenck RoTec GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Peinelt, Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 6387200
    Abstract: The invention thus provides a method of making a foam-filled composite matrix having a cellular core, and the composite matrix of the method, e.g. for use as sacrificial energy absorbing structures particularly for the passenger compartments of vehicles, e.g. motor vehicles. Thus the structures may be used in head linings in automobiles and as linings and even seats in vehicles such as aircraft. Additionally the structures may form crash padding in crash helmets and body armour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Cellbond Composites Limited
    Inventors: Michael Ashmead, Paul Blauberger, Werner Lehr, Ralf Passman
  • Patent number: 5267380
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for centering a rotary body such as a motor vehicle tire the rotary body is put into a centered position by means of a plurality of centering means which engage the circular periphery of the rotary body at distributed positions around the periphery thereof and which are acted upon by a centering force. The centering force acting on the centering means is set to be proportional to the diameter of the rotary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Hofmann Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Ronge, Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 4916943
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the tire inflation pressure in a tire testing machine comprises first and second measuring rim portions for mounting a tire therebetween, and a pressure sensor operable to detect the inflation pressure of the tire. The pressure sensor has a pressure-receiving surface which is arranged to directly detect the pressure in the interior of the tire. The pressure sensor rotates with the tire in a tire testing run. A spindle connected to the measuring rim portions and rotatable therewith has conduit means for supplying compressed air to inflate the tire. A control means is operable to close off the conduit means, thereby constituting a closed volume of air defined by the space within the tire, the space between the measuring rim portions holding the tire, and the conduit means in the spindle, that volume of air rotating as a unit with the components defining same, during a tire testing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventors: Gunther Himmler, Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 4778208
    Abstract: A yielding arrangement of a bumper at the body of a motor vehicle in which the bumper is connected with a longitudinal bearer by way of impact shock absorbers under interposition of a deformation member. For purposes of obtaining a high energy absorption with a comparatively large deformation displacement, the deformation member is essentially formed by several roll sheet metal members which extend substantially parallel to the impact shock absorber along the inner walls of a housing secured at the longitudinal bearer. The roll members are connected at their ends opposite the bumper with the housing and at their other ends are secured at the impact shock absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Lehr, Wolfgang Anzenhofer, Horst Spirk, Hartmut Bonenberger
  • Patent number: 4253702
    Abstract: A lock for a safety belt in a vehicle such as a passenger car is disclosed. The lock comprises a lock housing and a lock tongue disposed on the safety belt, which lock tongue can be swingably clamped in the lock housing. The lock housing is connected by a swing shaft with a part fixed to the vehicle so that the lock housing can be swung in the direction of load. A positively engaging check element is provided for fixing the lock housing to the part fixed to the vehicle in a position of use for single-hand operation, the check element, beginning at a predetermined load, releasing the lock housing so that it can be swung in the direction of load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Lehr
  • Patent number: 4099778
    Abstract: An installation for the retention of children on rear seats in motor vehicles with a chest belt and a lower body belt, in which the chest belt is connected with two belt-bands which are arranged extending behind the child over a backrest of the seat and, on the one hand, form the lower body belt by means of their end sections that are deflected in the corner area of the seat surface and backrest while, on the other, they cooperate by way of one or more energy absorption members with anchoring means at fixed vehicle parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Lehr