Patents by Inventor Bernd Engels

Bernd Engels 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: 12594201
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one freely pivotable electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: ALBER GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Menig, Bernd Engels
  • Publication number: 20230146019
    Abstract: An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one freely pivotable electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Joachim Menig, Bernd Engels
  • Patent number: 8807654
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. At least one part of the cavity receives an insert in the region of a filling. The insert is connected to the structural element in a positively locking fashion at least with regard to one type of movement. The insert is bonded to the filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Patent number: 8757717
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a partitioned back rest. The back rest has a first segment and a second segment. The segments are each equipped with an inclination adjuster. The adjusters include means for limiting the inclination of one segment relative to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Franz Albers, James Abraham, Bernd Engels
  • Patent number: 8702170
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a backrest which is provided at the seat part so as to be rotatable, wherein the seat part and the backrest can be transferred into an easy entry position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: James Abraham, Bernd Engels, Johann Schreier, Peter Szegeny
  • Patent number: 8641070
    Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair includes a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to determine a driving force manually induced into the running wheel; and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on the driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel. The control unit of the drive assistance device includes a user force analysis operational mode which is adapted to determine data concerning physical efficiency and capacity of the user. These include a maximum force of the user as well as the maximum speed which can be reached with purely manual drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ulrich Alber GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Birmanns, Ralf Ledda, Bernd Engels, Paul-Gerhard Bitzer
  • Patent number: 8528981
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element forming a cavity. A filling is disposed in the cavity and configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling comprises a foam support and a foam material that at least partially surrounds the foam support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Patent number: 8439324
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device, in particular for the seat of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first rail (lower rail (1)) and one second rail (upper rail 2)) which is embodied in a displaceable manner in relation to the first rail, in addition to a spindle (4) which is connected to the first rail and a drive housing (14) which can be penetrated by the spindle and which is arranged on the second rail, said drive housing being provided in order to receive at least one gear element which co-operates with the spindle. According to the invention, the drive housing is secured in a directly positive manner to the associated rail but also in a manner whereby the height can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst-Jürgen Hake, Bernd Engels, Martin Zynda
  • Patent number: 8434826
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. The cavity is formed by a base plate and at least two profiles secured to the base plate. A corner region of the two profiles has provided in it a filling configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling has a foam support and a foam material at least partially surrounding the foam support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Stefan Funk, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Patent number: 8292369
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a vehicle seat includes a brake housing that is centered about an actuating rotational axis. The brake housing is formed in a radial direction of the actuating rotational axis and includes a housing element that is generally circular and has a outer side wall, and upper wall and an inner side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Haida, Andreas Dannheisig, Bernd Engels
  • Publication number: 20120119548
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a backrest which is provided at the seat part so as to be rotatable, wherein the seat part and the backrest can be transferred into an easy entry position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: James Abraham, Bernd Engels, Peter Szegeny, Johann Schreier
  • Publication number: 20120067662
    Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair having a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to detect a driving force manually induced into the running wheel. A control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on a driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel has a user force determination operational mode in which the maximum force of the user can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Ulrich Alber GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Birmanns, Ralf Ledda, Bernd Engels, Paul-Gerhard Bitzer
  • Publication number: 20120068435
    Abstract: A drive assistance device for a wheelchair includes a drive motor, a running wheel and a sensor device which is adapted to determine a driving force manually induced into the running wheel; and a control unit which is adapted to control the drive motor for driving the running wheel depending on the driving force manually induced by the user into the running wheel. The control unit of the drive assistance device includes a user force analysis operational mode which is adapted to determine data concerning physical efficiency and capacity of the user. These include a maximum force of the user as well as the maximum speed which can be reached with purely manual drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Ulrich Alber GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Birmanns, Ralf Ledda, Bernd Engels, Paul-Gerhard Bitzer
  • Patent number: 7950713
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part having a seat substructure. The seat part is displaceable along a transverse axis with respect to the seat substructure and the seat part is at least partially swivelably about the transverse axis. The seat includes a displacement element having a displacement length, a fixed lower part and an upper part. A first longitudinal movement of the seat part and a first transverse movement of the seat part occurs along a first section of the adjustment length. A second longitudinal movement of the seat part and a second transverse movement of the seat part occurs along a second section of the adjustment length. The ratio of the first longitudinal movement to the first transverse movement differs from the ratio of the second longitudinal movement to the second transverse movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Grudl, Guido Herkenrath, Martin Zynda, Andreas Gustavel, Ralf Janisch, Bernd Engels, Andreas Irgang
  • Publication number: 20110006581
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. At least one part of the cavity receives an insert in the region of a filling. The insert is connected to the structural element in a positively locking fashion at least with regard to one type of movement. The insert is bonded to the filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100283309
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element forming a cavity. A filling is disposed in the cavity and configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling comprises a foam support and a foam material that at least partially surrounds the foam support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100276979
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat part, at least one of which has a structural element with a cavity. The cavity is formed by a base plate and at least two profiles secured to the base plate. A corner region of the two profiles has provided in it a filling configured to influence the stability and/or the deformation behavior of the backrest and/or the seat part. The filling has a foam support and a foam material at least partially surrounding the foam support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Control Technology Company
    Inventors: Martin Zynda, Stefan Josten, Stafan Funk, Bernd Engels, Andreas Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100187878
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a partitioned back rest. The back rest has a first segment and a second segment. The segments are each equipped with an inclination adjuster. The adjusters include means for limiting the inclination of one segment relative to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Stefan Funk, Franz Albers, James Abraham, Bernd Engels
  • Publication number: 20100013286
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a vehicle seat includes a brake housing that is centered about an actuating rotational axis. the brake housing is formed in a radial direction of the actuating rotational axis and inlcudes a housing element that is generally circular and has a outer side wall, and upper wall and an inner side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Haida, Andreas Dannheisig, Bernd Engels
  • Publication number: 20090302631
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat part having a seat substructure. The seat part is displaceable along a transverse axis with respect to the seat substructure and the seat part is at least partially swivelably about the transverse axis. The seat includes a displacement element having a displacement length, a fixed lower part and an upper part. A first longitudinal movement of the seat part and a first transverse movement of the seat part occurs along a first section of the adjustment length. A second longitudinal movement of the seat part and a second transverse movement of the seat part occurs along a second section of the adjustment length. The ratio of the first longitudinal movement to the first transverse movement differs from the ratio of the second longitudinal movement to the second transverse movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Grudl, Guido Herkenrath, Martin Zynda, Andreas Gustavel, Ralf Janisch, Bernd Engels, Andreas Irgang