Patents Assigned to Hofmann GmbH
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Patent number: 4905515Abstract: A device for measuring rotor imbalance of a rotor is disclosed. The rotor shaft housing support for the shaft for a rotor to be balanced in a machine includes two pairs of springs disposed in two parallel planes. Each pair of springs consists of two parallel bar or rod springs that support the rotor shaft housing support in a plane of oscillation coincident with the shaft of the rotor on the machine stand in such a way that it oscillates. Each of the two bar or rod springs of each pair of springs forms part of a single-piece frame. Mounting strips are attached to the machine stand and to the rotor shaft housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1988Date of Patent: March 6, 1990Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG MaschinenfabrikInventor: Gunther Himmler
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Patent number: 4861214Abstract: Apparatus for conveying counterweights and retaining springs from magazines and a spring supply device to insertion heads of a wheel balancing installation includes a single transfer unit that simultaneously conveys retaining springs and counterweights from the respective magazines and insertion device to the insertion heads along a rigid rectilinear guide. The transfer unit has pockets with releasable clamps for the counterweights and springs. The clamps are controlled by a reciprocatory cam assembly outside of the transfer unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1987Date of Patent: August 29, 1989Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Rembrandt Sander
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Patent number: 4847022Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously forming a uniform layer of material that is being dispersed. This material, in the form of a stream of material, is deposited on an intermediate conveyer belt, as strips, transverse to the direction in which the material is fed to a dispersal mechanism. In the direction of travel of this intermediate conveyer belt, the strips abut one another in such a way that no gaps exist between them.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1988Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Assignee: "Wurtex" Maschinenbau Hofmann GmbH & Co.Inventor: Jorg Bold
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Patent number: 4817421Abstract: In order to improve running characteristics of an automobile wheel comprised of rim and respective tire fitted thereon and presenting spring qualities, a matching procedure is used to readjust the tire and rim in clearly defined positions relative to each other. Radial run-out effects both of rim and tire are so arranged in opposite directions as to reduce the resulting radial run-out of the wheel. The matching consists in detail of opposing resultant tire radial force variations mathematically calculated on the basis of non-uniform mass distribution in the contact area of the tire under load with differences in tire spring rate on the one hand and radial run-out of the rim on the other hand.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1987Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG, MaschinenfabrikInventor: Gunther Himmler
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Patent number: 4694875Abstract: A tire-mounting apparatus for mounting a tire having two beads on a rim in a tire/rim assembly where the rim has two opposed flanges that are bent radially inwards to define a drop center, and where the beads of the tire extend over the rim and are located behind the rim flanges in the drop center. The apparatus includes a base on which a rim-mounting adaptor is rotatably mounted. A clamp is used to retain the beads of the tire on the rim. A mounting tool forces one of the tire beads over one of the rim flanges. The mounting tool is rotatably driven to move the tire and the rim so that the one tire bead is rolled over the one rim flange into the drop center of the rim.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1985Date of Patent: September 22, 1987Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. Kg MaschinenfabrikInventor: Eickhart Goebel
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Patent number: 4691567Abstract: A unitary adaptor plate for determining static unbalance in a body. The plate includes an outer body, a middle body, and an inner body, and each of the inner and outer bodies is connected to the middle body by means of opposed torsion elements to provide a structure that defines a gimbal system capable of rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes of rotation defining two degrees of freedom of the adaptor plate. Deflection sensors sense the inclination of the adaptor plate caused by unbalance in a body placed on the adaptor plate, and force transducers operate to restore the plate to a horizontal position and provide an output indicative of the unbalance of the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1986Date of Patent: September 8, 1987Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG. MaschinenfabrikInventors: Gunther Himmler, Gunter Knoll
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Patent number: 4632322Abstract: A cylindrical condiment dispenser has condiment compartments of annular segment-shaped cross section arranged concentrically around a central chamber. A grinding mechanism which is arranged in the bottom of the chamber is operable by means of a ring, which is rotatable relative to the box. The cover of the condiment dispenser is constructed so that a condiment can be sprinkled out of each of the condiment compartments selectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1985Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Assignee: Hofmann GmbHInventor: Kurt H. Beilstein
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Patent number: 4554833Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for determining the unbalance of wheels mounted on the drive axle of an automobile by transducers detecting the forces and/or vibrations produced by the unbalance present in an automobile wheel which is jacked up for this purpose. Other equipment, in addition to the engine of the automobile, drives or brakes either of the two wheels in order to obtain a speed difference between the wheels. A measuring unit determines the magnitude and direction of unbalance. A device also determines the speeds of the driven wheels.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1983Date of Patent: November 26, 1985Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG MaschinenfabrikInventor: Eickhart Goebel
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Apparatus for automatic insertion of balance weights for use in automobile-wheel balancing equipment
Patent number: 4554734Abstract: Delivery apparatus for carrying a plurality of balance weights for automobile wheels and delivering a suitable weight to an insertion device to fit the weight on the rim of a wheel in a predetermined circumferential position. The balance weights have parallel through bores and the insertion device includes a pair of spaced mandrels receivable in the through bores of the weights to carry the weights from a storage compartment to an automobile wheel and install the weight on the rim at the predetermined position. The apparatus includes a clip applying apparatus to force a retaining clip over the balance weight and the wheel rim to secure the weight to the rim.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1984Date of Patent: November 26, 1985Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG MaschinenfabrikInventor: Rembrandt Sander -
Patent number: 4545239Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the quality of tires, in particular automobile tires, in which a rotating tire rolls on a rolling surface of a test drum and where one force-measuring system measures the dynamic force portions and another force-measuring system measures the static force portions of the forces exerted by the rotating tire in the same flux of forces through the rolling surface of the test drum which is supported on the same bearing element of a bearing unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1983Date of Patent: October 8, 1985Assignee: Gerb. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gunther Himmler, Friedrich Wenz
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Patent number: 4530470Abstract: A cylindrical condiment dispenser has condiment compartments of annular segment-shaped cross section arranged concentrically around a central chamber. A grinding mechanism which is arranged in the bottom of the chamber is operable by means of a ring, which is rotatable relative to the box. The cover of the condiment dispenser is constructed so that a condiment can be sprinkled out of each of the condiment compartments selectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1983Date of Patent: July 23, 1985Assignee: Hofmann GmbHInventor: Kurt H. Beilstein
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Method and apparatus for marking the unbalances onto a rotating body, especially an automobile wheel
Patent number: 4480471Abstract: A method and an apparatus for marking the amount and location of unbalance on a rotatable body, such as a vehicle wheel. The apparatus uses a conventional system for determining the amount and location of unbalance in the body. A marking device is actuated to mark one or both sides of the body with a mark or marks representative of the amount and location of determined unbalance. The beginning and ending points of the mark can be representative of the beginning and end points of the correction mass to be applied to the body. The marks also can be representative of the predetermined weights of correcting masses to be applied to the body. Application of marks representative of the amount and location of unbalance to the bodies provides a visual indicator that facilitates subsequent check of the correct application of unbalance correction masses to the body.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1982Date of Patent: November 6, 1984Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. Kg, MaschinenfabrikInventors: Horst Kogler, Peter Drust -
Patent number: 4458532Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and indexing the angular location of unbalance of a rotatable body. Such unbalance is determined by mounting the body on a balancing machine and rotating the body to obtain an unbalance measurement. The method and apparatus provide for the subsequent rotation of the body to a correction position over the shortest possible distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1982Date of Patent: July 10, 1984Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG. MaschinenfabrikInventor: Eickhart Goebel
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Patent number: 4442712Abstract: A method and an apparatus for correcting the unbalance present in a rotor in one or several correction steps by adding or removing material only to or from given points on the rotating body on which only a limited quantity of material is available for correction, with the unbalance being resolved into components as given by the design of the rotor, with correction being carried out in one of several given components, and with the unbalance determined being eliminated in the given components as to the possibility permitting the least quantity of material to be added or removed in a minimum number of correction runs, so that finally an uninterrupted sequence of correction points is available on the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1982Date of Patent: April 17, 1984Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG, MaschinenfabrikInventors: Gunter Junck, Hans Seidel, Jesus Varona
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Patent number: 4441355Abstract: A method for displaying the amount of unbalance during rotation of a rotor, preferably in two correction planes, includes adjustment of the amounts of unbalance determined during measurement by a factor obtained during calibration. The method is characterized by measuring unbalance forces of known magnitude and comparing them with predetermined nominal data identical to the known unbalance forces during measurement, and by adjusting the amounts of unbalance of the rotor determined during measurement by the result of the above comparison. The apparatus of the invention comprises an unbalance measuring device, data memories for providing nominal reference data, comparator circuits for comparing the measured values derived from an auxiliary shaft with the nominal reference data to determine adjustment values, and multiplier circuits for adjusting the measured values derived from the main shaft in accordance with the adjustment values.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1981Date of Patent: April 10, 1984Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG, MaschinenfabrikInventor: Karl Rothamel
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Patent number: 4348885Abstract: A method and system for operational testing of a device for the balancing of a rotor in two balancing planes, wherein the device is provided with a clamping fixture, a housing, and pickups for bracing the clamping fixture in relation to the housing, the device further including a computing unit for measuring the unbalance of the rotor, and for computing and indicating a size and direction of the unbalance. The method and system further call for the device to be provided with a weight of known size mounted in the housing, the weight being removed from the housing when operational testing of the device is desired. Upon removal of the weight of known size from the housing, data corresponding to the geometric measurement of the position of the weight as mounted on the clamping fixture are automatically entered into the computing unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1980Date of Patent: September 14, 1982Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG, MaschinenfabrikInventor: H. Richard Mueller
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Patent number: 4336717Abstract: A clamping device for clamping a vehicle wheel on a threaded clamping shaft of a test machine, such as, a balancing machine. The clamping device includes a basic body positionable on the clamping shaft and a pair of swivelling levers pivotally mounted on the basic body. Each of the levers has an extremity forming a threaded section movable into and out of engagement with the threaded clamping shaft and an actuating lever for controlling engagement of the threaded segment with the clamping shaft. The levers have portions thereof cooperating with each other in such manner that movement of one of the levers results in conjoint movement of the other of the levers. The basic body has handles formed integrally therewith or attached thereto that protrude away from the axis of the threaded shaft. The handles have recessed portions for receiving the actuating ends of the swivelling levers.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1980Date of Patent: June 29, 1982Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KG, MaschinenfabrikInventor: Eickhart Goebel
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Patent number: 4310892Abstract: A method for determining imbalances in a mechanical system, such as a rotor, by detecting oscillations caused by the imbalances, selecting a useful signal having a particular amplitude and frequency from the detected signal, and filtering the useful signal so as to minimize errors contained in the useful signal, and providing a display which indicates the magnitude and phase displacement of the imbalance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1979Date of Patent: January 12, 1982Assignee: Gebrueder Hofmann GmbH & Co. K.G. MaschinenfabrikInventor: Guenther Himmler
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Patent number: 4279329Abstract: A safety device for spindle-operated lifting equipment, particularly for two-post motor-vehicle lifts having a lifting nut supporting a lift carriage guided on a post, the lifting nut being itself guided on a spindle. The safety device has a safety nut guided on the spindle and located a first predetermined small distance beneath the lifting nut. Upon excessive wear of the lifting nut, the safety nut supports the lifting nut. A lock nut is guided on the spindle and located a second predetermined small distance beneath the safety nut. The safety and lock nuts are connected to each other by a spring mechanism and are forced to move or run on the spindle with the lifting nut, when the lifting nut is moving on the spindle. When the safety nut supports the lifting nut, the association between the safety and lock nuts and the spindle is such that upward movement of the safety nut and the supported lifting nut is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1979Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH, KG MachinenfabrikInventor: Peter Gehron
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Patent number: 4277976Abstract: A process and apparatus for measurement of nonuniformity of mass of a gyro rotor having a single bearing. The gyro rotor, which is mounted in a radially fixed and spherically yielding pivot, is rotated to a predetermined speed. The static imbalance of the rotating rotor is then determined by measuring the magnitude and angular position of excursion of the rotating rotor. A force couple acting on the gyro rotor and drift of mass of the gyro rotor are determined by sensing movement of a surface of the rotating rotor at two different times. Preferably, the determination of static imbalance, force couple, and drift are obtained in a single course of measurement. After the preceding have been measured, the components of a mass balancing operation for correcting the measured nonuniformities are determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1979Date of Patent: July 14, 1981Assignee: Gebr. Hofmann GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Richard Mueller, Guenther Himmler