Patents by Inventor Wolfram Frank

Wolfram Frank 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: 11479318
    Abstract: A bicycle operating apparatus for wirelessly controlling at least one component of a bicycle includes a carrier element on a fastening device for fixing the bicycle operating apparatus to a handlebar of the bicycle, a housing attachable to the carrier element having an energy storage compartment for receiving an energy storage element and having an electronic circuit arrangement in the housing. At least one switch is connected to the electronic circuit arrangement on the housing. An operating component mounted on the carrier element to be pivotable about an operating axis preloaded into a neutral position which is able to be deflected out of the neutral position in a first direction of rotation about the operating axis in order to actuate the switch, and the operating axis extends obliquely with respect to the flat outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Linke, Wolfram Frank, Thorsten Hamisch
  • Patent number: 11383793
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Publication number: 20210284285
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Patent number: 11052970
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Patent number: 10672240
    Abstract: An operating device for operating an electrical bicycle component includes a base element, an actuating element and a housing. The base element is configured to be non-rotatably mounted about a bicycle handlebar. The actuating element is rotatable relative to the base element from a neutral position to a first actuating position. The actuating element may be pre-loaded into the neutral position. A first electrical contact switch may be actuated when the actuating element is moved from the neutral position to the first actuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Baumann, Jochen Bierwerth, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Publication number: 20190382082
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Patent number: 10421521
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Publication number: 20190005783
    Abstract: An operating device for operating an electrical bicycle component includes a base element, an actuating element and a housing. The base element is configured to be non-rotatably mounted about a bicycle handlebar. The actuating element is rotatable relative to the base element from a neutral position to a first actuating position. The actuating element may be pre-loaded into the neutral position. A first electrical contact switch may be actuated when the actuating element is moved from the neutral position to the first actuating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Baumann, Jochen Bierwerth, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Patent number: 10102724
    Abstract: An operating device for operating an electrical bicycle component includes an annular base element, annular actuating element and first electrical contact switch. The annular base element is configured to be non-rotatably mounted about a bicycle handlebar. The annular actuating element is rotatable relative to the annular base element from a neutral position to a first actuating position. The annular actuating element is pre-loaded into the neutral position. The first electrical contact switch is actuated when the annular actuating element is moved from the neutral position to the first actuating position to generate a first sensory feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SRAM DEUTSCHLAND, GMBH
    Inventors: Sven Baumann, Jochen Bierwerth, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Publication number: 20170301194
    Abstract: An operating device for operating an electrical bicycle component includes an annular base element, annular actuating element and first electrical contact switch. The annular base element is configured to be non-rotatably mounted about a bicycle handlebar. The annular actuating element is rotatable relative to the annular base element from a neutral position to a first actuating position. The annular actuating element is pre-loaded into the neutral position. The first electrical contact switch is actuated when the annular actuating element is moved from the neutral position to the first actuating position to generate a first sensory feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Baumann, Jochen Bierwerth, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Publication number: 20170080993
    Abstract: A control device for a bicycle is arranged or can be arranged on the handlebar of the bicycle and serves to wirelessly drive at least one electronic, electrical, electromechanical or electrohydraulic component of the bicycle. The control device includes an operator control arrangement which has at least one manually operable operator control element and is designed to respond to operation of the operator control element and to output electrical signals which represent the operation. The control device also includes at least one electronic circuit arrangement comprising a radio communication circuit and a control circuit which is connected or can be connected to the operator control arrangement. The control device also may include at least one antenna which is connected or can be connected to the radio communication circuit or which is integrated into the said communication circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Bierwerth, Thorsten Hamisch, Alexander Linke, Mason Pluimer, Sven Baumann, Wolfram Frank, Chris Hilton
  • Patent number: 8992375
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive pawl within a bicycle transmission, wherein at least one torque transmission path extends from an input side to an output side across the same, and that has allocated thereto, relative to a first component supporting said pawl, a rotatable ring part, which interacts with the pawl for the alternate activation and deactivation of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SRAM, LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Göbel, Wolfram Frank
  • Patent number: 8047956
    Abstract: A multi-speed hub for cantilever mounting to a bicycle frame generally includes a planetary gear mechanism, a hub shaft, a hub shell, a spoke shell, a driver and a driven gear. The hub shell is cantilever-mounted to the bicycle frame and configured to enclose the planetary gear mechanism and the hub shaft. The spoke shell, driver and driven gear are rotatably supported by the hub shell. One end of the hub shaft is indirectly supported by the hub shell and the other end of the hub shaft is fixed to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Frank
  • Publication number: 20080224530
    Abstract: A multi-speed hub for cantilever mounting to a bicycle frame generally includes a planetary gear mechanism, a hub shaft, a hub shell, a spoke shell, a driver and a driven gear. The hub shell is cantilever-mounted to the bicycle frame and configured to enclose the planetary gear mechanism and the hub shaft. The spoke shell, driver and driven gear are rotatably supported by the hub shell One end of the hub shaft is indirectly supported by the hub shell and the other end of the hub shaft is fixed to the bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Frank
  • Patent number: 4812368
    Abstract: The subject of this invention is a process for the preparation of lightweight, planar molded articles, e.g. those having a thickness from 0.1 to 40 mm and having a density of 0.015 to 0.25 g/cm.sup.3, by treating porous materials, preferably open celled or flexible or semi-rigid polyurethane foams, with an effective amount of an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of organic compounds containing NCO groups and allowing the isocyanate compound to cure, optionally while molding, at a temperature from 25.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. and optionally at a pressure of 1 to 50 bar. The invention also relates to molded articles prepared according to this process which have special mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dietrich Scherzer, Erwin Zahn, Wolfram Frank
  • Patent number: 4560708
    Abstract: Crystallite suspensions containing from 3 to 70 weight percent of a crystalline, ethylenically unsaturated polyester prepared through condensation polymerization, and having a molecular weight factor per double bond of 154.4 to 408, as the dispersed phase, and from 30 to 97 weight percent of a polyhydroxyl compound having a functionality of from 2 to about 8, a hydroxyl number of from 20 to 800, and a melting point of less than 30.degree. C. as the coherent phase are suitable for preparing non-cellular and cellular polyurethane- or polyurethane group-containing polyisocyanurate foams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Horn, Anton Hesse, Walter Mann, Wolfram Frank, Matthias Marx, Walter Heckmann
  • Patent number: 4514526
    Abstract: The invention relates to storage-stable tris(hydroxyalkyl)isocyanurate polyol dispersions containing(a) from 2 to 70 parts by weight tris(hydroxyalkyl)isocyanurate,(b) from 98 to 30 parts by weight of at least one polyol having a functionality of from 2 to 8 and a hydroxyl number from 20 to 1800, and(c) from 0 to 20 parts by weight of one or more dispersion stabilizers.The dispersions are prepared by dissolving starting components A and B at temperatures in excess of 100.degree. C., in some cases adding a dispersion stabilizer and/or crystallization accelerator, with continuous and step-wise cooling of the mixture while stirring. The products are utilized for the preparation of polyurethane plastics, in particular polyisocyanurate foams containing polyurethane or polyurethane groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Marx, Helmut Ganss, Wolfram Frank
  • Patent number: 4452921
    Abstract: The invention describes a process for harmonizing the reaction rates for the formation of urethane and isocyanurate groups during the preparation of polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foams by reacting organic polyisocyanates with polyols in the presence of blowing agents and salts of amines having the formula ##STR1## as catalysts, wherein R stands for an hydrogen atom or a straight chained or branched alkyl radical with 1 to 19 carbon atoms, and n and m are equal or different whole numbers from 2 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinrich Horacek, Robert Gehm, Wolfram Frank, Matthias Marx
  • Patent number: 4438131
    Abstract: .omega.-Cyano-1,.omega.-diphenyl-azaalkane derivatives of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, m and n have the meanings given in the description, and salts thereof with physiologically tolerated acids, are useful in treating cardiovascular disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Oskar Ehrmann, Manfred Raschack, Josef Gries, Rolf Kretzschmar, Hans D. Lehmann, Ludwig Friedrich, Dirk Wuppermann, Frank Zimmermann, Werner Seitz, Hans J. Treiber, Ferdinand Dengel, Wolfram Frank, Hans-Georg Kurbjuweit, Claus D. Mueller