Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Robert P. Seitter
  • Patent number: 5312169
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for an automotive vehicle with anti-lock control and/or traction slip control is equipped with wheel sensors (S1-S4), with circuits for handling and evaluating the sensors signals (respectively 1 and 2-4) and for generating braking pressure control signals and/or traction torque control signals. Further, a compass or compass system (7) is provided whose output signals are feedable to the evaluation circuits (4) and evaluatable for improving control, for identifying cornering, for assessing the driving stability etc. or also for monitoring proper operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: Gunther Buschmann
  • Patent number: 5311793
    Abstract: A brake cable fixing device for the expanding lock of a parking brake is described making possible an easy installation of a brake cable. A tapered cable end nipple of the brake cable is guided during installation by a funnel-shaped entry space, constituted by the outer edges of the fork of an actuating lever and by an elastic leg of a securing element positioned on a forked pressure bracket. Insertion of the cable and nipple deflects the elastic leg of the securing element, allowing the end nipple to pass by, and the restoring force of the elastic leg urges the cable end nipple into position in the fork of the actuating lever. The securing element is described as a spring clasp, having a pair of spring legs connected at a vertex, one spring leg constituting the elastic leg, the other spring leg engaging the endwall of the pressure bracket to mount the securing element thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Claus-Peter Panek, Jurgen Musolf, Uwe Wohlmann, Wulf Post
  • Patent number: 5310253
    Abstract: A braking pressure control device is described for an automatic wheel brake system equipped with an anti-lock control system (ABS) and/or a traction slip control system (TSC). A controlled pressure reduction phase with a minimized residual pressure in the wheel brake is achieved by the control device, which includes, an inner piston (1) guided within an outer piston (4) displaceable in relation to a valve housing (2) and furnished with a piston step (3), while a spring fixed in the outer piston (4) urges the inner piston (1) towards a valve closure member (7) mounted within the outer piston (4) and movable onto an inlet valve seat (15), the inner piston (1) holding the closure element (7) off the seat (15) until the outlet valve (21) is opened. The outer piston (4) then modulates the outflow by movement of a control edge (19) against the force of a control spring (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: Erhard Beck
  • Patent number: 5309361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedal assembly (1), useful in automotive vehicles includes an accelerator pedal (6), a brake pedal (7) and a clutch pedal (8), each of the three pedals (6, 7 and 8) actuating an associated, electronically controlled device (potentiometer 9, 10; switch 11), the said pedal assembly (1) being pre-assembled and being connectible via electric connections with an energy supply unit (2) and a data bus (4).The present invention affords a pedal assembly (1) which lends itself to ease of mounting and manages without splashboard apertures in the pedal area. Further, this pedal assembly (1) satisfies the demands of modern industrial production such as modular type of construction or just-in-time supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Inventors: Peter Drott, Peter Lohberg
  • Patent number: 5306073
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat recliner includes an upper member (34) which is supportive of a seat back (22) and a lower member (36) which is supportive of a seat cushion (21) and is carried for longitudinal adjustment within a host vehicle. An adjuster (40) is operative to establish a substantially fixed angular position between the members, the adjuster including a longitudinally disposed drive screw (62) which is restrained from axial displacement in one direction by an abutment surface (56) which is defined by a thrust plate (46) carried by the lower member and a link (130) which is pivotally interconnected to the screw by a traveling member (126) and is also pivotally interconnected to the upper member by a parallel arrangement of a link control bracket (144) and a displaceable lock plate (154), whereby frontal impact imposed moment arm forces will subject the link and screw to substantially pure compressive loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 5303983
    Abstract: A track assembly for a vehicle includes an upper track slidably mounted in a lower track. A seat belt buckle mounting bracket is attached to the upper track and connects a fixed seat belt to the upper track. The seat belt buckle mounting bracket includes first and second angularly disposed legs, with the first leg attached to the upper track and the second leg attached to a fixed seat belt buckle. The seat belt buckle mounting bracket is stationarily mounted in a first, normal operating position in which the second leg of the bracket extends upward from a side wall of the upper track, but rotates from the first position under a force applied through the fixed seat belt to a second position in which the second leg of the bracket is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the upper track to place the first and second legs of the bracket in tension with the applied force. The second position provides a strong geometry position for the seat belt buckle mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventors: Derek K. Gauger, Stephen D. Crawford, Jeffrey D. Ineich
  • Patent number: 5302010
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for improving the driving behavior of an automotive vehicle tending to oversteering, which vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock control system, causes the slip and deceleration thresholds, decisive for the onset of control at the front wheel on the outside of the bend, to be raised upon the occurrence of a cornering identification signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Ehmer, Hans-Joachim Buettner, Thomas Striegel
  • Patent number: 5302011
    Abstract: A braking pressure control device for a brake system comprising a braking pressure generator (16), a wheel brake cylinder connected via a brake line (15) with the latter to actuate a brake (18), a braking pressure control circuit which is interposed into the brake line and comprising a piston pump, the outlet valve (9) of which is connectible to the brake line (15), and comprising solenoid operated brake control valves (19, 20), the inlet valve (8) and the outlet valve (9) of the piston pump are arranged on the pump housing (1), and the difference in pressure for opening the inlet valve (8) is such that the inlet valve (8) remains closed whenever the pressure in the return line (21) is below atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Volz, Bernd Schopper
  • Patent number: 5299858
    Abstract: A brake system based on the recirculation principle and having a self-priming pump which operates for both anti-lock control and traction slip control. The pump self-primes from the pressure medium storage reservoir via the master cylinder for traction slip control. In a diagonal brake circuit arrangement, a vacuum is prevented from forming in the wheel brake of the non driven wheel because two non-return valves and an auxiliary line are provided which, with the traction-slip-control shut-off valve closed, only permit pressure medium to be supplied to the wheel brake of the non-driven wheel from the suction side of the pump, whereas pressure medium removal only can take place towards the delivery side of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: Erhard Beck
  • Patent number: 5299665
    Abstract: A damping bushing for a guide pin of a spot-type disc brake is disclosed, having an elastic pleated cup formed with a first end section fixed to a cylindrical body receiving the guide pin, and also formed with a second end section adapted to be assembled to a ring fixed to the guide pin. The ring has a recess which accepts a torus integral with the second end section The torus (74) is formed with an outer large radius of curvature portion and an inner smaller radius of curvature portion which creates a cam shape. The larger radius portion allows a pleat of the second end section to force the torus over a cone shaped ring end and into the ring recess. The torus then is retained by the smaller radius portion engaging a corner of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Weiler, Uwe Bach
  • Patent number: 5297471
    Abstract: A construction and fabrication process for a two piece vacuum brake power booster housing is described which eliminates the surface tensions which are caused by forming during assembly to prevent damage to a protective surface finish. Localized radially weakened zones are each formed by two opposing tongues created by circumferential and axial slots which tongues in the assembled condition of the housing engage behind an outwardly and reversely formed rim (3) of the other housing half (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Boehm, Wilfried Wagner, Lothar Schiel, Manfred Ruffer, Ralf Jakobi, Kai-Michael Graichen, Lothar Mattheis
  • Patent number: 5297587
    Abstract: A non-corrosive double-wall tubing in which an unbrazed, unsealed continuous double-wall tube of a given circumference is formed from a metal sheet composed of a first non-ferritic metal having a first defined region of exposed non-ferritic metal and a second region of a second metal in overlying relationship thereto, said exposed region having a width essentially equal to the circumference of the finished tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Arnold T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5297862
    Abstract: To insure that no air bubbles are included in a pump of an anti-locking system, the pump is placed into the master brake conduit, thereby causing it to be scavenged by manual brake operation. Once a brake pressure of about 5 bar is attained, a switch-over valve (28) is switched-over, causing the master brake conduit in the pressure build-up direction to be blocked. Additionally pressure fluid is supplied to the secondary conduit (26) and a pressure opening valve (27). The pressure decrease is effected through the direct conduit (13). In the event of a brake slip control, the pump takes in pressure fluid from the reservoir (25) through the suction valve (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Hans D. Reinartz, Helmut Steffes
  • Patent number: 5297659
    Abstract: A support of a floating caliper (7) of a spot-type disc brake on an axially external brake shoe (4) is described. For the support, two carrier elements (5, 6) are disposed spaced apart laterally in the circumferential direction on the external brake shoe (4), the corner elements (5, 6) furnished with projections (8, 9) which engage two axially extending grooves (14, 15) on the inside of circumferential extensions on the floating caliper (7) and which come to be abutted against their internal guide surfaces (16, 17, 18, 19). The caliper is thereby of maximized width and rigidity while being securely supported on the external brake shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Thiel, Ulrich Klimt, Andreas Doell
  • Patent number: 5295730
    Abstract: A device for adjusting the relative inclination of two elements, and in particular, the relative inclination of a back member of an automotive seat pivotally connected about a rotational axis to a base member of the seat for movement through a predefined arc is disclosed. The device can include at least an enveloping gear sector for pivotal connection to the base member about an axis generally coaxial with the rotational axis between the back and base members. The gear sector preferably includes plastic concave teeth formed thereon. An enveloping worm is provided for rotatable connection to the base member. The worm preferably is formed of at least one plastic concave worm having at least a single thread. The worm is disposed in double enveloping engagement with the gear sector. A rotatable cam is pivotally connecting the sector gear to the base member. The rotatable cam is pivotal along a predefined arc about an axis of rotation generally coaxial with the rotational axis of the back member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 5295797
    Abstract: A suction-restricted radial piston pump is described, in particular for use with automotive vehicles. The pump delivers a flow constant over a broad speed range and involving low losses in output and generating only negligible noise. In one embodiment, a control slot (13), on the pressure side, is subdivided into several grooves (27,28) which at least in part are in communication, through check valves (32), with the pressure connection (20). An alternative embodiment provides a shape of the pressure-sided control slot in which the introducing end thereof is comparatively narrow to reduce noise at a high speed and the outlet-sided end thereof with a wider width sufficient to meet the required output. According to a third embodiment, the suction-sided slot (12) is provided with a narrow width section and a subsequent wider width section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kahrs, Gerhard Kunz, Franz Fleck, Hermann Schoellhorn, Gerhard Schudt, Winfried Huthmacher
  • Patent number: 5295739
    Abstract: A brake pressure control apparatus for automotive vehicles with an anti-locking control system (ABS) and/or with a traction slip control system (TSS) is presented. In the inlet line to the wheel cylinder an inlet valve is provided which affords a change-over from an orifice function into a flow limiting valve function at a predetermined wheel cylinder pressure. Flow is initially through an orifice (6) in a control slide valve piston (20), held in its initial position by a prestressing spring (23) acting through an auxiliary piston in engagement with control slide valve piston (20). An increase in pressure in the wheel cylinder (13), also exerted in the wheel cylinder pressure chamber (9), to a predetermined level, causes the auxiliary piston (27) to disengage from the control slide valve piston (20), preventing the force of the prestressing spring (23) from acting on the control slide valve piston (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Burgdorf, Helmut Steffes, Peter Volz, Erhard Beck, Dalibor Zaviska
  • Patent number: 5295293
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for closing off fluid passages is disclosed. The arrangement includes first and second closure members inserted one behind the other in the fluid passage, the second closure member slidably fit into the passage with a clearance and positioning against a sealing shoulder in the fluid passage so that abraded particles caused by press fitting of the first closure member behind the second closure member can not get into the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 5293808
    Abstract: A vacuum brake power booster and a process is disclosed in which a precise adjustment of the power boost startup characteristic is achieved. The adjustment is carried out as a final step in the manufacture of the booster adjusting the distance between the valve piston and an elastic reaction distance. During adjustment, the vacuum brake power booster has a vacuum applied. A pre-established input force is exerted on the piston rod while simultaneously measuring the output force exerted by the push rod, and the axial length of the valve piston is modified until the measured output force is within a pre-established range. The adjustment is carried out by modifying the length of a two piece valve piston or by temporarily extending a rod within the valve piston until a correct output force is reached and thereafter removing the rod and inserting a transmission pin of a length determined by the extent of travel of the rod at the point at which the desired output force was attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Rueffer, Ralf Jakobi, Jurgen Bauer, Peter Kraft
  • Patent number: 5293315
    Abstract: A variable control threshold (RS) is formed by a circuit configuration for the traction slip control through brake management, with the control threshold being composed of a basic threshold (GS) and a portion derived from the wheel slip acceleration. The wheel slip (VR) is compared to the control threshold to determine a control deviation, i.e. the difference between the control threshold (RS) and the wheel slip (VR). The brake pressure pattern (p), during a traction slip control process is controlled in response to the wheel slip acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Kolbe, Klaus Honus