Patents Assigned to Igus GmbH
  • Publication number: 20100175363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable drag device (1) for guiding power supply cables. Said cable drag device is constituted of a plurality of members (2) that are hinged to each other and that comprise two respective side bars (3) inter-linked by a cross connection. The aim of the invention is to provide a cable drag device (1) whose upper strand is suitably supported in a suitable retaining device for the upper strand. For this purpose, the side bars (3) of at least some members (2) comprise supporting elements (9) that project outward beyond the remaining areas of the outer face (10) of the respective side bar (3) when having a substantially linear relative position to an adjacent member. These supporting elements do not project outward beyond the remaining areas of the outer face (10) of the respective side bar (3) when offset relative to the adjacent member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 7718894
    Abstract: A line guide device for guiding lines can comprise a plurality of links, connected to each other in articulated fashion, where at least some, or all, of the links each display a bottom element, opposite side walls and at least one cover element, the plurality of links are integrally moulded on one another in one piece, forming a continuous strand, and the line guide device can be arranged to form a lower run, a curved section and an upper run. For the purpose of low-cost manufacture and versatile utility with comparatively small cross-sections of the links, it is proposed that the bottom element (3) and both opposite side walls (4) of the links are designed in one piece as essentially rigid U-sections, and the cover element (5a, 5b) of the respective link is integrally moulded on at least one side wall (4) of said link and designed to be moveable, and can be moved into a position closing the link and a position releasing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 7690718
    Abstract: The invention relates to a powered guide chain system (1), comprising a powered guide chain (3), for guiding cables (4), hoses or the like between a stationary and a mobile connection point, a driver (7) to which the powered guide chain (3) is connected via the mobile connection point, and a guide channel (8), which comprises a hollow profile with a passage (9) for the driver (7), extending in the longitudinal direction, whereby the powered guide chain (3) is guided into the guide channel (8) in the longitudinal direction thereof, forming two runs which are guided parallel to each other and connected to each other via a deviation area. The invention also relates to a sliding door system (2) for a vehicle, provided with said powered guide chain system (1). The aim of the invention is to obtain an easy and safe guidance of cables (4), hoses or the like in at least two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Blase
  • Publication number: 20100074711
    Abstract: An adjusting screw arrangement comprising an adjusting screw (8) and a screwthread receiving means in which the adjusting screw (8) is displaceable in the axial direction by rotation, for providing a self-arresting action and for avoiding a lock nut and an anti-slackening securing means, has a toothed ring (10) connected to the adjusting screw (8) on the same axis, and a coil spring (11) which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the adjusting screw, wherein at least one end of the coil spring (11) is fixed so that the turns thereof mesh with the teeth of the toothed ring (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Horst Moshammer
  • Patent number: 7673440
    Abstract: An energy guiding chain with a plurality of links, which are connected to each other in articulated fashion, is provided where the links consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, and is characterized in that the links are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity path with low electrical resistance, which extends at least over several links and permits use of the chain in ESD protection zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 7669402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a joint element for an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses or cables, with a number of chain links displaying opposite side straps, where upper and lower cross-members are provided on at least some of the side straps, where the joint element displays at least two mounting areas that can be connected to adjacent or spaced chain links in order to connect them to each other in articulated fashion, so that the energy guiding chain can be deposited to form a lower strand, a deflection zone and an upper strand. The joint element is developed in that an element is provided on it that is made of a material having greater conductivity than the joint element material and continuously bridges the at least two mounting areas. The bridging element displays at least two contact areas located on the surface of the joint element, each of which can be connected in electrically contacting fashion to the two chain links associated with the two mounting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 7584597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
  • Publication number: 20090183490
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain with a plurality of links, which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces and at least one cross-member connecting them, where the links consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity path with low electrical resis
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 7552962
    Abstract: A sliding door system for a vehicle with a vehicle body having a door opening and a sliding door (3), comprises a guide rail (1) which can be mounted at or in the vehicle body in the proximity of the door opening, a guide element (2) which is displaceable along the guide rail (1) and which is connected to the sliding door (3) by way of a holding arm (5), a line receiving means (15) of pivotably interconnected members (16) for receiving and guiding electric lines (20) from a connection on the vehicle body to a connection at the sliding door (3), wherein the line receiving means (15) is guided in a guide device. In order to provide such a sliding door system which has a space-saving structure and which is suitable for the subsequent installation of a line receiving means (15) for the energy supply for the sliding door (3) it is proposed that the guide device for the line receiving means (15) is integrated into the guide rail (1) for the guide element (2) of the sliding door (3). (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Habering, Andreas Hermey, Gunter Blase
  • Publication number: 20090110338
    Abstract: The invention concerns a plain bearing 1 comprising a hollow-cylindrical plain bearing body 2 and a first flange 3 arranged at a first end 4 of the plain bearing body 2 and extending radially outwardly. The invention further concerns a plain bearing system comprising the plain bearing 1 and a bearing receiving means 11 and a method of assembling the plain bearing system. In order to provide a plain bearing which for the press fit in a bearing receiving means allows greater dimensional tolerances in respect of the bearing receiving means, it is proposed that a ring 6 of axially extending and peripherally spaced collar portions 7 is provided at the second end 5 of the plain bearing body 2, which is in opposite relationship to the first end 4, which collar portions can be bent over outwardly to afford a second flange 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase, Ralf Selzer, Christoph Klingshirn, Gerhard Baus, Markus Feth
  • Patent number: 7500346
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, where the upper strand rests on the lower strand and rollers (5, 6) are provided on at least some chain links of the upper strand and/or the lower strand, which can roll on running surfaces (9, 10) provided on the chain links of the opposite strand and which, on their running surface, display a number of spaced peripheral guide grooves that can be engaged by the crests (13, 14) of the rollers of the opposite strand, it is envisaged, in order to facilitate traversing of the chain, that the running surfaces display spaced longitudinal slits that allow the crests of the roller profile to pass through, where the webs (17, 18) between the longitudinal slits cover the guide grooves on the side facing the other strand, such that the crests of the rollers of the other strand can roll on the webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 7497072
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, where the upper strand lies on the lower strand and rollers (11, 12) are provided on at least some chain links of the lower strand and/or the upper strand, which roll on running surfaces (16) provided on the chain links of the opposite strand when the energy guiding chain is traversed, it is envisaged, in order to guarantee very quiet running, that the axis of rotation of each of the rollers (11, 12) coincides with the pivoting axis of the adjacent pair (4) of side straps (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Publication number: 20090025361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
  • Patent number: 7451590
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables or the like between two connecting points moving relative to each other, with several chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, each of which displays two side straps and cross-pieces connecting them, where the chain consists of a strand that can be connected to one of the connecting points, and a strand that can be connected to the other connecting point, these transitioning into each other via a deflection zone, and where at least some of the chain links display runners covering the upper side of the side straps, it is envisaged that the runners be mounted on the cross-pieces at a distance from the side straps in order to reduce the assembly effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 7444800
    Abstract: On an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables and the like, with a number of chain links connected to each other in articulated fashion, which are formed by mutually parallel side straps (9) and cross-members connecting them, where the energy guiding chain can be traversed, forming a loop consisting of a lower strand, an upper strand, and a deflection zone connecting them, and pairs of adjacent side straps (9) can be pivoted relative to each other about a common pivoting axis (S), it is envisaged, in order to form the most continuous possible surface on the narrow face (10, 12) of the strap strands facing the respectively opposite strand, that the distance between the pivoting axis (S) and the narrow face (10) facing towards the inside of the loop is smaller than that between the pivoting axis (S) and the narrow face (12) facing towards the outside of the loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hermey
  • Publication number: 20080256921
    Abstract: The invention relates to a side wall segment for a line guiding device consisting of links connected to each other in pivoting fashion, each of which displays two opposite side parts that are connected to the immediately adjacent side parts in a manner permitting pivoting in a pivoting plane, and display stops for limiting the pivoting angle, where multiple side parts connected to each other form the side wall segment. The invention furthermore relates to a line guiding device with a side wall segment, and a method for manufacturing the side wall segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Thilo-Alexander Jaeker
  • Patent number: 7439446
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled-relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
  • Publication number: 20080251630
    Abstract: A transverse limb (5, 6) for connecting two side portions (3, 4) of a member of a line guide device, wherein the transverse limb (5, 6) is lockable at least at one of its ends (9) to the side portion (5, 6) to be connected there. For improved locking of the transverse limb to the side portion it is proposed that it has an actuating portion (7) and a locking portion (8) which is displaceable by way of the actuating portion (7) substantially in the longitudinal direction of the transverse limb (5, 6) towards the end (9) with which the transverse limb (5, 6) can be connected to the side portion (3, 4), into a locking position in which the transverse limb (5, 6) is lockable to the side portion (3, 4), and is displaceable away from said end (9) into an unlocking position in which the transverse limb (5, 6) is releasable from the side portion (3, 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: igus GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Nehring, Andreas Hermey, Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
  • Patent number: 7426823
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain (1) with a plurality of links (2), which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces (3) and at least one cross-member (4a) connecting them, where the links (2) consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links (2) are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element (8) connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Igus GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Blase, Frank Blase
  • Publication number: 20080072564
    Abstract: The invention relates to a joint element for an energy guiding chain for guiding hoses or cables, with a number of chain links displaying opposite side straps, where upper and lower cross-members are provided on at least some of the side straps, where the joint element displays at least two mounting areas that can be connected to adjacent or spaced chain links in order to connect them to each other in articulated fashion, so that the energy guiding chain can be deposited to form a lower strand, a deflection zone and an upper strand. The joint element is developed in that an element is provided on it that is made of a material having greater conductivity than the joint element material and continuously bridges the at least two mounting areas. The bridging element displays at least two contact areas located on the surface of the joint element, each of which can be connected in electrically contacting fashion to the two chain links associated with the two mounting areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: IGUS GMBH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase