Patents by Inventor Benno Wessendorf

Benno Wessendorf 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: 7819427
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Michael Langs, Lukas Fiala, Benno Wessendorf
  • Publication number: 20100045013
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: LEOPOLD KOSTAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Michael Langs, Lukas Fiala, Benno Wessendorf
  • Patent number: 6583373
    Abstract: A steering column module includes functional modules arranged adjacent to one another in respective parallel planes along an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of a steering column. Each of the functional modules is associated with a respective plug-and-socket connector. The connectors extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the steering column. The connectors each have first and second parts. The first part of each connector being connected to the respective one of the functional modules. The second part of each connector extending radially out from the respective one of the functional modules. An electronic module extends transversely to the respective parallel planes of the functional modules and are arranged against the functional modules such that the electronic module engages the second part of each of the connectors to connect the functional modules to the electronic module and a vehicle electrical system connected to the electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Ketzer, Volker Heite, Benno Wessendorf
  • Publication number: 20020195810
    Abstract: A steering column module includes functional modules arranged adjacent to one another in respective parallel planes along an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of a steering column. Each of the functional modules is associated with a respective plug-and-socket connector. The connectors extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the steering column. The connectors each have first and second parts. The first part of each connector being connected to the respective one of the functional modules. The second part of each connector extending radially out from the respective one of the functional modules. An electronic module extends transversely to the respective parallel planes of the functional modules and are arranged against the functional modules such that the electronic module engages the second part of each of the connectors to connect the functional modules to the electronic module and a vehicle electrical system connected to the electronic module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Ketzer, Volker Heite, Benno Wessendorf