Patents Assigned to ITW Automotive Products GmbH
  • Patent number: 7144067
    Abstract: An arm rest for a door paneling in automobiles, whereby a support member for an arm rest padding has an elongated guiding member at the lower side, the guide member being liftable in guide means, the guide means being fastened to the paneling, in that further locking means for the guide member and the guide means are provided in order lock the guide member in different elevated positions in the guide means and that an actuation element is provided to release the locking means and to allow displacement of the arm rest padding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 7128232
    Abstract: An adjustable assembly of a first structural part and a second structural part, in particular for automobiles having a flap and a pivotable arm for the flap, is such that the first structural part is displaceable along two orthogonal axis with respect to the second structural part and is fixed against movement along a third axis extending perpendicular to the first and second axis. A first adjusting element is moveably supported on the second structural part. Actuation of this first adjustable element moves the first structural part along the first axis. A second adjustable element is movably supported on the second structural part. Actuation of the second adjustable element moves the first structural part along the second axis. Devices are associated with the first and second adjustable elements for releasable fixation thereof in selected positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 7108269
    Abstract: A plug for the sealing closure of an opening in a sheet includes an integral body including a cap portion having an annular shirt portion and a cover portion connected to one end of the shirt portion. The body further includes a flange portion extending obliquely outwardly and downwardly and an annular sealing surface approximately at the same level as the connection of the cover portion to the shirt portion and below the connection of the flange portion. The plug body can be urged into the opening by an axial pressure. An outward pivoting of the flange portion upon insertion of the plug body into the opening exerts a radial expansion force and/or a pivoting force on the sealing surface so that the body's material in the area of the sealing surface is formed against the other side of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Benkel, Alexander Limpert
  • Patent number: 7059454
    Abstract: A one way braking device has a first sealed chamber filled with a viscous fluid, a braking rotor being rotably supported within the chamber, a housing or the braking rotor, respectively, coacting with a pinion which in turn cooperates with a tooth rod or a gear or the like. The first housing is floatingly supported in a second chamber of a second housing. The circumference of the first housing and a locking portion of the wall of the second chamber are formed such that a positive interengagement between the first and second housings takes place if by a linear first force component the first housing and the locking portion are moved against each other. A free running between the first and second housings is effected when a second force component opposite to the first component effects between the first and second housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Gunther Muller, Steffen Breunig, Manfred Vorbach
  • Publication number: 20060119163
    Abstract: A sleeve arrangement for a neck rest, including a sleeve body adapted to be inserted into an opening in a frame of a vehicle seat, the sleeve body having a through going axial passage adapted to accommodate a rod of the neck rest, and the sleeve body having further a head portion which includes internal locking elements to fix the axial position of the rod in the sleeve body and a shank portion joining the head portion, the sleeve body having an external side which includes fixing elements the sleeve body in the opening of the frame, wherein in upper and lower end portions the passage has radially annular enlargements, and a preferably radially expandable sliding bushing of anti-frictional plastic material is accommodated by the enlargements which encircle the rod, and an elastomeric material is accommodated in the intermediate space between the sliding bushing and a wall of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Gans, Uwe Stapf
  • Patent number: 7048336
    Abstract: A neck rest includes first and second supports having first and second positions where the supports are at approximately the same level and the second support is elevated relative to the first support, respectively. A first spring is supported by the first support and rotatably connected to the second support to bias the second support into the second position. A movable locking element biased by a second spring on the first support automatically blocks the second support in the second position. A locking element is movably supported by the first support and cooperates with a projection of the second support to lock the second support in the first position. A releasing element is movably supported by the first support and releases the locking element when actuated. A supporting member is located between the supports in the second position for transferring shock forces from the second support to the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerald Mawbey, Gerd Fischer, Roland Och
  • Patent number: 6991006
    Abstract: A closing mechanism for a filling tube of a fuel tank in an automobile, including: a first housing portion adapted to be fastened in an opening of the body of the automobile, a closing slide member which supported for linear or pivotal, movement transverse to the axis of the opening, the closing slide member and a portion of the housing portion together form a funnel-like guide means such that upon a movement of a fuel nozzle towards the guide means the closing slide member is moved into an open position whereby the nozzle can be moved further into the opening, a second housing portion having a first end connectable to the first housing portion and a second end attachable to the end of the filling tube, the second housing portion having a second opening aligned with the first opening, and a closing flap for the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Uwe Stapf
  • Publication number: 20060016814
    Abstract: The tank flap of an automobile is locked via a wire spring with which an extension connected to the tank flap will cooperate. A spring-biased locking body keeps the wire spring in the releasing position when the tank flap initially is forced inwards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rainer Gramss, Carsten Albracht
  • Publication number: 20060012225
    Abstract: A sleeve for a neck rest with tolerance compensation, comprising a sleeve body of plastic material for the accommodation of a rod of the neck rest, the sleeve body including at least one integrally formed resilient portion which is biased towards the interior of a sleeve body against an accommodated rod, characterized in that a wire portio is attached to the outer side of the sleeve body parallel to the axis of the sleeve body such that the wire portion can be resiliently deflected away from the sleeve body, the wire portion engaging the outer side of the resilient portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Gans
  • Publication number: 20050265425
    Abstract: A device for measuring the level and/or the temperature of a liquid in a container, characterised by the following features: a linear resistor arrangement adapted to be immersed approximately vertically into the liquid (12), the resistor arrangement includes three serious connected resistor portions, with each resistor portion including at least one temperature depending elongated resistor element, the resistor portions having a resistance per unit length which is uniform about their length, the resistor portions or resistor elements, respectively have a pre-determined length with the upper and lower resistor portion being short relative to the intermediate portion, the resistor arrangement is connected to a voltage source, a voltage meter measures the voltages of the resistor portions, a computer calculates the immersed length of the resistor arrangement or the temperature of the liquid, respectively from the dimensions of the resistor portions and the resistor elements and from the measured voltages by m
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Heldberg
  • Patent number: 6959733
    Abstract: A plug for closing a hole in a structural member includes a shank having an upper end with a recess extending toward the lower end of the shank. The recess divides the upper end into a central portion and an outer, deformable portion radially outwardly spaced from the central portion by the recess. The deformable portion has an engagement region deformable by and sealingly engageable with a wall of the hole when the shank is pressed into and retained by the hole. The flange extends radially outwardly from the outer, deformable portion. The engagement region has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of the hole, whereby the material of the engagement region can be deformed into the recess when the shank is pressed into the hole and the wall of the hole forms a groove in the engagement region thereby retaining the shank in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Albert Sbongk
  • Publication number: 20050225144
    Abstract: A neck rest for the seat of an automobile, comprising a neck rest body which includes a neck rest cushion and two neck rest rods connected with the neck rest body, the neck rest rods being accommodated in receipts in the back rest of the seat and being adapted to be lifted or lowered, comprising the following elements: a support portion which is fixedly attached to the both neck rest rods, the neck rest body comprising a shroud-like housing which has a front wall, the cushion being attached to the front side of the front wall and a rear wall, with the support portion being located in the housing between front- and rear wall, the shroud-like housing is moveable between a rear basic position wherein the support portion is near or adjacent to the inner side of the front wall and an extended position, wherein the support portion is remote from the front wall, a linkage is linked between the support portion or the neck rest rods respectively and the front wall, a spring arrangement biases the linkage or the housin
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Roland Kluhspies, Gerd Fischer, Carsten Albracht
  • Publication number: 20050218708
    Abstract: A neck rest for the front seats in automobiles, a neck rest body being supported by the back rest of the front seats, characterized in that a support member being integrated in the backside of the neck rest body, the support member being movable in the neck rest body between a closed and an opened position, in the closed position the support member being substantially flush with the backside of the neck rest body and the support member having means for supporting or suspending an article at the backside of the neck rest body in the opened position of the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 6942293
    Abstract: Neck rest for the back rest of the seats of automobiles, in particular for the back seat, the neck rest including two supporting rods which are accommodated by sockets in the back rest, by which a guiding portion and a supporting portion located above the guiding portion are provided, with the supporting portion being height adjustable relative to the guiding portion, the supporting portion includes at least a horizontal holding section provided with at least one guiding rod and having a deformable portion extending downwardly and adapted to support an upholstering portion, the guiding rod is accommodated by a hollow neck rest rod (20), in that the deformable portion with the upholstering portion and an accommodating channel of the supporting portion being designed such that the deformable portion is accommodated by an accommodating channel more or less depending upon the height of the supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Kluehspies
  • Publication number: 20050194810
    Abstract: A fuel door housing for the fueling of an automobile including a tub-like body, a flap which is hingely linked to the body, a thrust spring biasing the flap toward an opened position, a locking element having a locking and an unlocking position, and an actuating element for placing the locking element into the unlocking position. The locking element is moved towards the unlocking position through a one-way transmission of the actuating element upon a movement of the flap into its closed position or beyond thereof, respectively, and the locking element completely engages the catching element upon arrival of the flap at its closed position. A casing is formed at the inner side of the body. The locking element and parts of the actuating elements are accommodated by the casing, and a locking portion of the locking element is sealingly extended through a wall portion of the casing facing the catching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Christian Beck
  • Patent number: 6910841
    Abstract: A thread-forming screw includes a head and a shank, the shank having a thread and a thread-forming zone at the end opposite to the head, the thread-forming zone also having a thread portion. The shank at the end opposite to the head has a spherical portion with a maximum diameter in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shank which corresponds approximately to the mean diameter of the thread of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Isenberg
  • Publication number: 20050134085
    Abstract: An arm rest for a door paneling in automobiles, whereby a support member for an arm rest padding has an elongated guiding member at the lower side, the guide member being liftable in guide means, the guide means being fastened to the paneling, in that further locking means for the guide member and the guide means are provided in order lock the guide member in different elevated positions in the guide means and that an actuation element is provided to release the locking means and to allow displacement of the arm rest padding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Gramss
  • Publication number: 20050086773
    Abstract: A fastener element for connecting a structural part, in particular a lining, to a support part having a fastening hole, in particular a body sheet of an automobile, comprising a fastener body integrally formed of plastic material, the fastener body having a head for the attachment of the structural part, a shank connected to the head and a sealing flange between head and shank, and a locking part adapted to be connected to the shank through a releasable snapping connection and having snapping portions which cooperate with an edge of the fastening hole when the shank is introduced in the fastening hole in order to secure the fastener element on the support part, characterized in that the shank has two approximately parallel spaced outer webs which are interconnected by a transverse web the transverse web extending being spaced from the free end of the outer webs, with the transverse web having a tapered portion tapering to the lower end thereof, the outer webs on the surfaces facing each other having projectio
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Kuhnle, Markus Ferdinand
  • Patent number: 6874829
    Abstract: An inner actuator for automobile doors includes a lever-like handle adapted to be pivoted about an axis within a housing which is attached to the door, a linkage or an actuating cable which is led to a door lock and engages the handle, a spring which biases the handle into a rest position, a damper which is connected to a portion of the handle such that the movement of the handle into the rest position is damped, whereby a linear damper is provided which is linked to the door with one end and to a portion of the handle with the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Günther Müller
  • Publication number: 20050046262
    Abstract: A neck rest includes first and second supports having first and second positions where the supports are at approximately the same level and the second support is elevated relative to the first support, respectively. A first spring is supported by the first support and rotatably connected to the second support to bias the second support into the second position. A movable locking element biased by a second spring on the first support automatically blocks the second support in the second position. A locking element is movably supported by the first support and cooperates with a projection of the second support to lock the second support in the first position. A releasing element is movably supported by the first support and releases the locking element when actuated. A supporting member is located between the supports in the second position for transferring shock forces from the second support to the first support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: ITW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerald Mawbey, Gerd Fischer, Roland Och