Patents by Inventor Bernd Thomas

Bernd Thomas 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).

  • Publication number: 20130255050
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for assembling a securing ring. The tool comprises two adjusting limbs which are connected to each other in a rotary joint and each free end of which has gripping means for engaging into an assembly opening of the securing ring. The tool further comprises a spindle drive provided between the adjusting limbs for changing the distance between the adjusting limbs. According to the invention, the rotary joint is arranged on the adjusting limb ends opposite the free ends, and the spindle drive is arranged between the rotary joint and the free ends of the adjusting limbs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: RENNSTEIG WERKZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Thomas, Thomas Wagner, Horst Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8018461
    Abstract: A device and a method for generating a text object, in particular, for a geographic map illustration. The text object comprises a multitude of letters and serves for identifying, for example, a geographic characteristic on the map illustration. The text object comprises several letters, the font sizes or spacings of which are reduced relative to the spacings between the other letters of the text object. The text object can be displayed on monitors with small dimensions, particularly in the field of navigation systems. It is also possible to display larger text objects such as, for example, long street names on small navigation monitors such that they can be easily recognized without occupying valuable monitor space required for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Navigon AG
    Inventors: Philipp Hess, Bernd Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080266298
    Abstract: A device and a method for generating a text object, in particular, for a geographic map illustration. The text object comprises a multitude of letters and serves for identifying, for example, a geographic characteristic on the map illustration. The text object comprises several letters, the font sizes or spacings of which are reduced relative to the spacings between the other letters of the text object. The text object can be displayed on monitors with small dimensions, particularly in the field of navigation systems. It is also possible to display larger text objects such as, for example, long street names on small navigation monitors such that they can be easily recognized without occupying valuable monitor space required for other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NAVIGON AG
    Inventors: Philipp Hess, Bernd Thomas
  • Patent number: 6029449
    Abstract: A hot and cold engine operating based on a regenerative gas cyclical process, with at least two pistons (2, 3), which separate at least three processing chambers (4, 6, 7) with an in-line arrangement of respectively at least one heat exchanger (13, 15) and at least one regenerator (11, 12) arranged in series with the heat exchanger. In order to eliminate the danger of freezing for the cold heat exchanger (15) and thus the air heat exchanger (16), at least one of the regenerators (12) assigned to the cold processing chamber (6) has a bypass (17) with a control valve (17a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Heikrodt, Bernd Thomas
  • Patent number: 5794444
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and an arrangement for utilizing the heat comprised i the exhaust gas of the combustion chamber of a heating and refrigerating engine working on the basis of a regenerative cyclic gas process by preheating the combustion air supplied to the combustion chamber, with the process gas, which is displaced from the hot working volume or supplied to this working volume, flowing through a regenerator arranged inside of a pressure-proof housing in the region of the hot piston. In order to achieve an effective utilization of the exhaust gas heat without additional apparatus complexity and without insulation of the engine in the region of the warm regenerator while maintaining the temperature profile necessary for the operation of the regenerator, the combustion air to the cooling of the pressure vessel wall surrounding the lower section of the regenerator is used, which cooling corresponds to the lower section of the temperature profile of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Viesmann Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Peter Hofbauer, Klaus Heikrodt, Rolf-Peter Strauss, Bernd Thomas
  • Patent number: 5217242
    Abstract: An adjustable length drawbar assembly includes a cage which is pivotally attached to the rear of a vehicle and a drawbar which slides in the cage. A plurality of spaced apart bores extending laterally through the drawbar. A pair of claws are mounted to a selected one of the bores by a pin and springs bias the claws towards the drawbar. A pair of recesses are formed at the rear end of the cage adjacent to a pair of ramp surfaces. The claws are spread apart as they slide over the ramp surfaces, and the claws have tabs which are received by the recesses to releasably lock the drawbar into the desired position with respect to the cage. The claws may be pulled away from each other and out of the recesses, and then rotated on the pins 90.degree. to disable the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Bernd Thomas