Patents by Inventor Bernhard Drost

Bernhard Drost 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: 20260043286
    Abstract: The invention relates to an opening device for a motor vehicle door, in particular a handle-free motor vehicle door such as, for example, a handle-free motor vehicle side door. For this purpose, the opening device has an electromotive drive (1 to 4) and an associated actuator (5) for acting on a door leaf. The actuator (5) acts on the door leaf with a travel-dependent force along its actuating travel (S). According to the invention, the electromotive drive (1 to 4) acts on the actuator (5) with the interposition of a rack-and-pinion gear (7, 8), wherein the rack-and-pinion gear (7, 8) operates with different transmission ratios on the actuator (5) along its actuating travel (S).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Applicant: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael BERRES, Bernhard DROST
  • Publication number: 20260035980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a setting-open device for a motor vehicle door, in particular a handleless motor vehicle door, for example a handleless motor vehicle side door. For this purpose, the setting-open device is equipped with an electric-motor drive (1 to 4) and with an associated actuating element (5) for acting on a door leaf. The actuating element (5) acts on the door leaf with a travel-dependent force along the actuation travel(S) of said actuating element. The electric-motor drive (1 to 4) acts on the actuating element (5) by the interposition of a lever mechanism (7, 8), wherein the lever mechanism (7, 8) acts on the actuating element (5) by way of at least a short lever (7) and a long lever (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: February 5, 2026
    Applicant: Kiekert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael BERRES, Bernhard DROST
  • Patent number: 12385296
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle bonnet lock. Same is designed with a locking mechanism substantially formed by a rotatory latch and a pawl for cooperating with a locking bolt. In addition, a catch hook is provided for independent and additional securing of a locking bolt. The locking mechanism is provided with a locking mechanism drive and the catch hook is provided with a catch hook drive. According to the invention, the locking mechanism drive and the catch hook drive are optionally actuated by motor vehicle signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Drost, Christian Sturm
  • Patent number: 11939805
    Abstract: A door drive for a motor vehicle door or motor vehicle flap, which is provided with an electromotive drive, a transmission downstream of the drive, and a force-transmission element. The force-transmission element is operatively connected to a leaf of the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle flap. An output element of the transmission and the force-transmission element are coupled by a toothing with compensation for play. According to the invention, the output element and/or the force-transmission element are not only designed to be moveable for play compensation, but can also be permanently fixed after the compensation for play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Bendel, Michael Berres, Bernhard Drost, Christian Sturm
  • Patent number: 11713602
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, such as a motor vehicle bonnet lock includes a locking mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The locking mechanism interacts with a striker element on a bonnet. The lock further has an unlocking/opening mechanism for the bonnet, which mechanism is equipped with a release element provided in the interior of a motor vehicle body. The release element is operated twice to open the bonnet. The locking mechanism is transferred to a pre-latched position after the release element has been operated at least once, with the striker element still being trapped. The bonnet is opened from the pre-latched position by lifting the pawl off the rotary latch with the aid of a power mechanism, said lifting being activated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer, Bernhard Drost
  • Patent number: 11643852
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, more particularly a flap lock or a hood lock includes a locking mechanism substantially consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. There is also a motorized closing aid which has a motor and also a first lever, which is acted upon by the motor, and a second lever. The two levers are hinged to each other. During the lowering of a flap or hood, the second lever first of all carries out a movement, which is controlled by the rotary latch, while simultaneously freewheeling in relation to the first lever. Only following the freewheeling does the first lever, which is then driven, act upon the second lever, in order to close the rotary latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Drost, Murat Özdogan, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer
  • Patent number: 11608662
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a body-side motor vehicle door lock and a bonnet-side or door-side locking bolt bracket, or vice-versa. Furthermore, at least one opening/retracting drive for a locking mechanism and a handle for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism are provided in the motor vehicle door lock. According to the invention a locking element, the position of which is checked with the aid of at least one sensor, is associated with the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Drost, Christian Sturm
  • Publication number: 20230013256
    Abstract: A door drive for a motor vehicle door or motor vehicle flap, which is provided with an electromotive drive, a transmission downstream of the drive, and a force-transmission element. The force-transmission element is operatively connected to a leaf of the motor vehicle door or motor vehicle flap. An output element of the transmission and the force-transmission element are coupled by a toothing with compensation for play. According to the invention, the output element and/or the force-transmission element are not only designed to be moveable for play compensation, but can also be permanently fixed after the compensation for play.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Thorsten BENDEL, Michael BERRES, Bernhard DROST, Christian STURM
  • Patent number: 11536061
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, particularly a motor vehicle bonnet lock, includes a ratchet mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The ratchet mechanism interacts with a lock retainer pin on a vehicle bonnet. A retention element is additionally provided which holds the pawl in a retention position, raised from the rotary latch, during unlocking of the bonnet. The lock retainer pin continues to engage in the rotary latch when in said retention position. During a first opening process which proceeds from the retention position, the lock retainer pin transfers the retention element into a release position that releases the pawl. During a subsequent bonnet closing process, the pawl can thus engage in the rotary latch, which can be pivoted without exertion of force by the lock retainer pin at least into the hold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Bernhard Drost
  • Publication number: 20220364397
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle bonnet lock. Same is designed with a locking mechanism substantially formed by a rotatory latch and a pawl for cooperating with a locking bolt. In addition, a catch hook is provided for independent and additional securing of a locking bolt. The locking mechanism is provided with a locking mechanism drive and the catch hook is provided with a catch hook drive. According to the invention, the locking mechanism drive and the catch hook drive are optionally actuated by motor vehicle signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard DROST, Christian STURM
  • Patent number: 11428032
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a bonnet lock, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a locking pin and an ejector interacting with the locking pin, wherein the locking pin can be brought into a lifting-off position by means of the ejector, and with at least one electrically actuable means for moving the lock holder from the lifting-off position into a locking position, wherein a drive lever can be brought into engagement with the ejector, and wherein the drive lever interacts with a pull-closed lever, wherein the drive lever is connectable to the rotary latch by means of the pull-closed lever only after a securing position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Bernhard Drost
  • Patent number: 11384573
    Abstract: A method for the actuation of an actuating device and to an actuating device with at least one lock, in particular a lock for a front bonnet of a motor vehicle, comprising a rotary latch, wherein the rotary latch can be brought by means of a lock holder into a locked position, with an actuating element connected to the lock, wherein, after a first actuation of the actuating element, the front bonnet can be brought from a locked position into a supported position and wherein, after at least one further actuation of the actuating element, the front bonnet can be brought into a release position, and with an actuation transmission means, in particular a Bowden cable, between the actuating element and the lock, wherein a means for disabling the actuating device is provided, with the result that an actuation of the lock by means of the actuating element can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Bernhard Drost, Murat Özdogan
  • Patent number: 11255112
    Abstract: A motor vehicle bonnet lock includes a locking mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The locking mechanism interacts with a striker element on a bonnet. The lock further has an unlocking/opening mechanism for the bonnet, which mechanism is equipped with a release element provided in the interior of a motor vehicle body. It is required to operate the release element preferably twice to open the bonnet. The locking mechanism is transferred to a pre-latched position after the release element has been operated at least once, with the striker element still being trapped. The bonnet is opened from said pre-latched position by a movement in its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Bernhard Drost, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer
  • Publication number: 20210317688
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a body-side motor vehicle door lock and a bonnet-side or door-side locking bolt bracket, or vice-versa. Furthermore, at least one opening/retracting drive for a locking mechanism and a handle for manual emergency opening of the locking mechanism are provided in the motor vehicle door lock. According to the invention a locking element, the position of which is checked with the aid of at least one sensor, is associated with the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard DROST, Christian STURM
  • Publication number: 20210277689
    Abstract: A lock for a motor vehicle, in particular a bonnet lock, having a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and at least one pawl, a locking pin and an ejector interacting with the locking pin, wherein the locking pin can be brought into a lifting-off position by means of the ejector, and with at least one electrically actuable means for moving the lock holder from the lifting-off position into a locking position, wherein a drive lever can be brought into engagement with the ejector, and wherein the drive lever interacts with a pull-closed lever, wherein the drive lever is connectable to the rotary latch by means of the pull-closed lever only after a securing position is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Bernhard Drost
  • Publication number: 20210017794
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, more particularly a flap lock or a hood lock. The basic design of the motor vehicle door lock is equipped with a locking mechanism substantially consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. There is also a motorized closing aid which has a motor and also a first lever, which is acted upon by the motor, and a second lever. The two levers are hinged to each other. According to the invention, during the lowering of a flap or hood, the second lever first of all carries out a movement, which is controlled by the rotary latch, while simultaneously freewheeling in relation to the first lever. Only following the freewheeling does the first lever, which is then driven, act upon the second lever, in order to close the rotary latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard DROST, Murat ÖZDOGAN, Michael SCHOLZ, Holger SCHIFFER
  • Publication number: 20190257122
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, particularly a motor vehicle bonnet lock, provided with a locking mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The locking mechanism interacts with a striker element on a bonnet. The lock according to the invention further has an unlocking/opening mechanism for the bonnet, which mechanism is equipped with a release element provided in the interior of a motor vehicle body. It is required to operate the release element preferably twice to open the bonnet. According to the invention, the locking mechanism is transferred to a pre-latched position after the release element has been operated at least once, with the striker element still being trapped. The bonnet is opened from said pre-latched position by a movement in its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Bernhard Drost, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer
  • Publication number: 20190249470
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, such as a motor vehicle bonnet lock includes a locking mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The locking mechanism interacts with a striker element on a bonnet. The lock further has an unlocking/opening mechanism for the bonnet, which mechanism is equipped with a release element provided in the interior of a motor vehicle body. The release element is operated twice to open the bonnet. The locking mechanism is transferred to a pre-latched position after the release element has been operated at least once, with the striker element still being trapped. The bonnet is opened from the pre-latched position by lifting the pawl off the rotary latch with the aid of a power mechanism, said lifting being activated separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer, Bernhard Drost
  • Publication number: 20190249469
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, particularly a motor vehicle bonnet lock, includes a ratchet mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The ratchet mechanism interacts with a lock retainer pin on a vehicle bonnet. A retention element is additionally provided which holds the pawl in a retention position, raised from the rotary latch, during unlocking of the bonnet. The lock retainer pin continues to engage in the rotary latch when in said retention position. During a first opening process which proceeds from the retention position, the lock retainer pin transfers the retention element into a release position that releases the pawl. During a subsequent bonnet closing process, the pawl can thus engage in the rotary latch, which can be pivoted without exertion of force by the lock retainer pin at least into the hold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Bernhard Drost
  • Publication number: 20180371807
    Abstract: A method for the actuation of an actuating device and to an actuating device with at least one lock, in particular a lock for a front bonnet of a motor vehicle, comprising a rotary latch, wherein the rotary latch can be brought by means of a lock holder into a locked position, with an actuating element connected to the lock, wherein, after a first actuation of the actuating element, the front bonnet can be brought from a locked position into a supported position and wherein, after at least one further actuation of the actuating element, the front bonnet can be brought into a release position, and with an actuation transmission means, in particular a Bowden cable, between the actuating element and the lock, wherein a means for disabling the actuating device is provided, with the result that an actuation of the lock by means of the actuating element can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Christian STURM, Bernhard DROST, Murat OZDOGAN