Patents by Inventor Bernd Engel
Bernd Engel 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).
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Patent number: 7100716Abstract: The invention relates to a small vehicle, particularly a wheel chair, having a modular structure including a main component, at least one pivotable wheel which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device, at least one driving wheel adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device and a seat component which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device. The main component comprises a main body to which four arms for supporting the wheels are springably coupled. The quick release devices between said main component and said wheels are disposed between said arms and said wheels, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Ulrich Alber GmbHInventors: Bernd Engels, Ralf Ledda, Marc Binder, Thomas Birmanns
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Publication number: 20060102821Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device (1) for a vehicle seat which is fixed inside a vehicle by means of lateral guides. Said safety device consists of at least one safety rail (8) which is to be fixed in the vehicle, in the region between the guides, and comprises associated safety means (10) which are connected to, or are to be connected to, the vehicle seat, and co-operate with the safety rail (8) in such a way that they (10) are arranged in a non-contact manner in relation thereto (8) for regular loads applied to the seat, and in the event of irregular, especially accident-related deformations and/or movements in the region of the vehicle seat, engage with the safety rail (8) in such a way that they block further deformations/displacements.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: May 18, 2006Inventors: Norbert Kuliha, Uwe Schmale, Bernd Engels
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Patent number: 6591650Abstract: A high-pressure bulge-forming apparatus has a multipart die having a cavity adapted to receive a hollow workpiece and having ends oppositely open along an axis. Respective actuators aligned with the cavity ends have stems extending axially toward the cavity. Respective heads on the ends are engageable in the cavity with ends of the workpiece. One of the stems and the respective head is formed with a passage opening axially into the workpiece engaged by the respective head. Fasteners releasable secure the heads on the stems. Each head comprises an end part with an inwardly tapered outer surface and a base part fixed to the respective stem and carrying the respective head. In addition each head has a normally annular mounting plate between the respective base part and end part.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Schuler Hydroforming GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Bernd Engel, Michael Schierz, Matthias Prier
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Publication number: 20030122332Abstract: The invention relates to a small vehicle, particularly a wheel chair, comprising a chassis having a monocoque-type main body to which arms for supporting wheels are coupled and at which a seat component can be attached. The main body is designed as a monolith and preferably is manufactured from an extruded profile of aluminium or an aluminium alloy, or is made of wound sheet metal or of plastic. Four arms for two freely pivotable supporting wheels and two driving wheels are springably coupled to said main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Bernd Engels, Stefan Lippert, Jorg Sattele, Thomas Birmanns
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Publication number: 20030030243Abstract: The invention relates to a small vehicle, particularly a wheel chair, having a modular structure including a main component, at least one pivotable wheel which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device, at least one driving wheel adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device and a seat component which is adapted to be detachably mounted at said main component via a quick release device. The main component comprises a main body to which four arms for supporting the wheels are springably coupled. The quick release devices between said main component and said wheels are disposed between said arms and said wheels, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2002Publication date: February 13, 2003Inventors: Bernd Engels, Ralf Ledda, Marc Binder, Thomas Birmanns
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Publication number: 20020056305Abstract: A high-pressure bulge-forming apparatus has a multipart die having a cavity adapted to receive a hollow workpiece and having ends oppositely open along an axis. Respective actuators aligned with the cavity ends have stems extending axially toward the cavity. Respective heads on the ends are engageable in the cavity with ends of the workpiece. One of the stems and the respective head is formed with a passage opening axially into the workpiece engaged by the respective head. Fasteners releasable secure the heads on the stems. Each head comprises an end part with an inwardly tapered outer surface and a base part fixed to the respective stem and carrying the respective head. In addition each head has a normally annular mounting plate between the respective base part and end part.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: SCHULER HYDROFORMING GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Bernd Engel, Michael Schierz, Matthias Prier
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Patent number: 6341515Abstract: An apparatus for forming two plates into a hollow workpiece has a pair of dies having edge regions adapted to be pressed together against outer peripheries of the plates. An outer element in the edge region of one of the dies is adapted to rotate therein about an axis generally parallel to the direction and an inner element set in the outer element is rotatable therein about an axis generally parallel to and offset from the outer-element axis. The inner element is formed offset from its axis with an axially throughgoing feed passage aligned with a feed hole in the plate engaging the one die. A fluid forced under pressure through the passage and hole into a space between the plates deforms the plates away from each other in the direction while displacing the hole perpendicular to the direction with movement of the passage perpendicular to the direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Schuler Hydroforming GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Ralf Huber, Bernd Engel, Matthias Prier
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Patent number: 6341514Abstract: A high-pressure shaping system has a tool defining a cavity and having a bore extending along an axis and opening into the cavity which is adapted to receive a workpiece which can be internally pressurized to expand and engage against inner surfaces of the cavity. A punch extending along the axis has an axially inwardly directed inner end displaceable between an inner position generally flush with the cavity inner surface and an outer position spaced axially outward of the cavity inner surface. A spring unit braced axially inward against the punch and axially outward against the tool has a spring characteristic with a high force/displacement ratio up to a break point and a low force/displacement ratio after the break point for urging the punch inward into the inner position.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Schuler Hydroforming GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Bernd Engel, Matthias Prier
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Publication number: 20020000112Abstract: An apparatus for forming two plates into a hollow workpiece has a pair of dies having edge regions adapted to be pressed together against outer peripheries of the plates. An outer element in the edge region of one of the dies is adapted to rotate therein about an axis generally parallel to the direction and an inner element set in the outer element is rotatable therein about an axis generally parallel to and offset from the outer-element axis. The inner element is formed offset from its axis with an axially throughgoing feed passage aligned with a feed hole in the plate engaging the one die. A fluid forced under pressure through the passage and hole into a space between the plates deforms the plates away from each other in the direction while displacing the hole perpendicular to the direction with movement of the passage perpendicular to the direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: January 3, 2002Applicant: SCHULER HYDROFORMING GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Ralf Huber, Bernd Engel, Matthias Prier
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Publication number: 20010035034Abstract: A high-pressure shaping system has a tool defining a cavity and having a bore extending along an axis and opening into the cavity which is adapted to receive a workpiece which can be internally pressurized to expand and engage against inner surfaces of the cavity. A punch extending along the axis has an axially inwardly directed inner end displaceable between an inner position generally flush with the cavity inner surface and an outer position spaced axially outward of the cavity inner surface. A spring unit braced axially inward against the punch and axially outward against the tool has a spring characteristic with a high force/displacement ratio up to a break point and a low force/displacement ratio after the break point for urging the punch inward into the inner position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Applicant: SCHULER HYDROFORMING GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Bernd Engel, Matthias Prier
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Patent number: 6260393Abstract: A punch assembly for a high-pressure shaping tool having a seat opening into the tool has a guide sleeve fitted in the seat, centered on an axis, and having a radially outwardly directed outer surface radially confronting an inner surface of the seat. A punch is axially displaceable in the sleeve. A clamping element engaged radially between the inner seat surface and the outer sleeve surface retains the sleeve in the seat. The seat is formed with a radially inwardly open groove and the element is a ring engaged in the seat. A screw can serve for pressing the ring radially against the punch. Alternately the ring is pressed radially against the punch by fluid pressure applied radially outside the ring. The ring is elastomeric and is normally of C-section.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Schuler Hydroforming GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Bernd Engel, Martin Lackner
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Patent number: 5438732Abstract: A hinge joint for use in the seats of motor vehicles to permit changes of inclination of the back rest has a first leaf secured to the body supporting portion of the seat, a second leaf secured to the back rest and a composite shaft having an eccentric cylindrical portion turnably mounted in the first leaf and two coaxial conical portions flanking the eccentric portion and turnably mounting the second leaf. At least one conical portion has a cylindrical core of a metallic material and elastic sleeve surrounding the core and having a conical external surface. A diaphragm spring reacts against the shaft and urges the second leaf axially of the shaft against the first leaf, and a spur gear of the first leaf mates with an internal gear of the second leaf.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1993Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH. & Co.Inventors: Bernd Engels, Hans-Jurgen Funken, Hans-Gerd Hacklander
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Patent number: 4969621Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting a seat in a motor vehicle forwardly or backwards has guide rails on the floor of the passenger compartment in the vehicle, seat supporting rails which are movable along the guide rails, toothed racks on the guide rails, pinions meshing with the racks, and a motor-driven transmission with a rotary output element which serves to rotate the pinions in order to move the supporting rails along the guide rails. The shaft which transmits torque to the pinions has an external gear in mesh with an internally toothed portion of an axially movable sleeve which is further provided with an externally toothed portion movable into and from mesh with an internal gear of the output element. A shifting element is provided to move the sleeve axially into and from mesh with the internal gear of the output element.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1990Date of Patent: November 13, 1990Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH & Co.Inventors: Andrea Munchow, Bernd Engels
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Patent number: 4961026Abstract: In an image intensifier comprising an evacuated vessel with a first disk which forms an input window and on whose inner surface a photocathode is disposed, and with a second disk which forms an output window and on whose inner surface a fluorescent screen is disposed. The spacing between the first and second disks is small in relation to the diameter of the image intensifier. The input and output windows are plane-parallel, and a spacer ring is disposed between the first and second disks whose inside diameter increases from the area of the first disk in the direction of the second disk. The spacer ring is spaced at its inside diameter as close as possible to the first disk.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1989Date of Patent: October 2, 1990Assignee: Proxitronic Funk GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hans W. Funk, Kurt Frank, Bernd Engel
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Patent number: 4773704Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting various parts of the seat in a motor vehicle has first and second adjustable units which receive motion from discrete first and second rotary driving elements in the form of gears or clutch sections. The driving elements flank an axially movable disc which has teeth or claws movable into engagement with the teeth or claws of the one or the other driving element in response to depression of a pushbutton which is surrounded by a hand wheel serving to rotate the selected driving element by way of a hollow shaft which non-rotatably carries the disc and surrounds an actuating member which transmits motion from the pushbutton to the disc. A locking device operates between the shaft and a pin which is reciprocable with the disc to releasably hold the disc in torque-transmitting engagement with the selected driving element.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1986Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: Keiper Recaro GmbH. & Co. KG.Inventor: Bernd Engels
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Patent number: 4515339Abstract: A height adjustment arrangement for a motor vehicle seat has a plurality of pivotable supports each having one end portion arranged at a fixed height relative to a vehicle floor and another end portion hingedly connectable with a seat portion, and a plurality of pairs of separate supporting elements arranged so that each pair of the supporting elements is pivotably connected with a respective one of the pivotable supports. A first supporting element of each pair is mounted on the seat portion, whereas a second supporting element of the same pair is mounted at a fixed height relative to the vehicle floor.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1981Date of Patent: May 7, 1985Assignee: Keiper Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG.Inventors: Bernd Kluting, Bernd Engels
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Patent number: 4371065Abstract: A brake-type spring coupling for transmission gears for an adjuster comprises a shaft, a transfer cam rigidly secured to the shaft, a pair of follower segments freely rotatable about the shaft on each side of the transfer cam, a coupling cylindrical segment rotatable about the shaft to impinge against one of the follower segments, a brake drum surrounding the shaft and the supported cam, followers and coupling segments, a helical spring having its windings in frictional contact with the inner wall of the brake drum and having its end portions anchored in respective follower segments, an abutment surface formed in a lateral wall of the transfer cam to stop one of the follower segments and an adjustable ring segment secured to the other side of the transfer cam to stop the other follower segment.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1981Date of Patent: February 1, 1983Assignee: Keiper Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Bernd Engels, Friedrich Heise, Heinz P. Cremer
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Patent number: 4254437Abstract: In order to increase the sensitivity of television cameras so as to allow the cameras to operate in low level light, an image transformer attachment, in the form of an ancillary image intensifier, is provided for attachment to the objective lens opening of the camera. The attachment includes a cylindrical housing containing one or more proximity-focus image converters or intensifiers which are optically connected to the pick-up tube of the camera by a fiber optics cylindrical block. The housing includes an annular disk screwed into its input end, which disk has an opening for the objective lens of the camera and which disk urges a resilient ring against the image transformers to bias the intensifier and fiber optics block against the pick-up tube of the camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1979Date of Patent: March 3, 1981Assignee: Proxitronic Funk GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hans-Wolfgang Funk, Bernd Engel