Patents by Inventor Frank Blase
Frank Blase 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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Publication number: 20100175363Abstract: The invention relates to a cable drag device (1) for guiding power supply cables. Said cable drag device is constituted of a plurality of members (2) that are hinged to each other and that comprise two respective side bars (3) inter-linked by a cross connection. The aim of the invention is to provide a cable drag device (1) whose upper strand is suitably supported in a suitable retaining device for the upper strand. For this purpose, the side bars (3) of at least some members (2) comprise supporting elements (9) that project outward beyond the remaining areas of the outer face (10) of the respective side bar (3) when having a substantially linear relative position to an adjacent member. These supporting elements do not project outward beyond the remaining areas of the outer face (10) of the respective side bar (3) when offset relative to the adjacent member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Igus GmbHInventors: Thilo-Alexander Jaeker, Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
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Patent number: 7718894Abstract: A line guide device for guiding lines can comprise a plurality of links, connected to each other in articulated fashion, where at least some, or all, of the links each display a bottom element, opposite side walls and at least one cover element, the plurality of links are integrally moulded on one another in one piece, forming a continuous strand, and the line guide device can be arranged to form a lower run, a curved section and an upper run. For the purpose of low-cost manufacture and versatile utility with comparatively small cross-sections of the links, it is proposed that the bottom element (3) and both opposite side walls (4) of the links are designed in one piece as essentially rigid U-sections, and the cover element (5a, 5b) of the respective link is integrally moulded on at least one side wall (4) of said link and designed to be moveable, and can be moved into a position closing the link and a position releasing it.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Igus GmbHInventor: Frank Blase
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Patent number: 7673440Abstract: An energy guiding chain with a plurality of links, which are connected to each other in articulated fashion, is provided where the links consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, and is characterized in that the links are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity path with low electrical resistance, which extends at least over several links and permits use of the chain in ESD protection zones.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Igus GmbHInventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
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Patent number: 7584597Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Igus GmbHInventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
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Publication number: 20090183490Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain with a plurality of links, which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces and at least one cross-member connecting them, where the links consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity path with low electrical resisType: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2008Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: IGUS GMBHInventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
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Publication number: 20090110338Abstract: The invention concerns a plain bearing 1 comprising a hollow-cylindrical plain bearing body 2 and a first flange 3 arranged at a first end 4 of the plain bearing body 2 and extending radially outwardly. The invention further concerns a plain bearing system comprising the plain bearing 1 and a bearing receiving means 11 and a method of assembling the plain bearing system. In order to provide a plain bearing which for the press fit in a bearing receiving means allows greater dimensional tolerances in respect of the bearing receiving means, it is proposed that a ring 6 of axially extending and peripherally spaced collar portions 7 is provided at the second end 5 of the plain bearing body 2, which is in opposite relationship to the first end 4, which collar portions can be bent over outwardly to afford a second flange 8.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2006Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: IGUS GMBHInventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase, Ralf Selzer, Christoph Klingshirn, Gerhard Baus, Markus Feth
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Publication number: 20090025361Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: Igus GmbHInventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
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Patent number: 7439446Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device including links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled-relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Igus GmbHInventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
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Publication number: 20080251630Abstract: A transverse limb (5, 6) for connecting two side portions (3, 4) of a member of a line guide device, wherein the transverse limb (5, 6) is lockable at least at one of its ends (9) to the side portion (5, 6) to be connected there. For improved locking of the transverse limb to the side portion it is proposed that it has an actuating portion (7) and a locking portion (8) which is displaceable by way of the actuating portion (7) substantially in the longitudinal direction of the transverse limb (5, 6) towards the end (9) with which the transverse limb (5, 6) can be connected to the side portion (3, 4), into a locking position in which the transverse limb (5, 6) is lockable to the side portion (3, 4), and is displaceable away from said end (9) into an unlocking position in which the transverse limb (5, 6) is releasable from the side portion (3, 4).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: igus GmbHInventors: Harald Nehring, Andreas Hermey, Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
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Patent number: 7426823Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain (1) with a plurality of links (2), which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces (3) and at least one cross-member (4a) connecting them, where the links (2) consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links (2) are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element (8) connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity pType: GrantFiled: April 7, 2005Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Igus GmbHInventors: Günter Blase, Frank Blase
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Publication number: 20070289767Abstract: A line guide device for guiding lines can comprise a plurality of links, connected to each other in articulated fashion, where at least some, or all, of the links each display a bottom element, opposite side walls and at least one cover element, the plurality of links are integrally moulded on one another in one piece, forming a continuous strand, and the line guide device can be arranged to form a lower run, a curved section and an upper run. For the purpose of low-cost manufacture and versatile utility with comparatively small cross-sections of the links, it is proposed that the bottom element (3) and both opposite side walls (4) of the links are designed in one piece as essentially rigid U-sections, and the cover element (5a, 5b) of the respective link is integrally moulded on at least one side wall (4) of said link and designed to be moveable, and can be moved into a position closing the link and a position releasing it.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2004Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventor: Frank Blase
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Publication number: 20060260833Abstract: The invention relates to a cable-routing device comprising links that are open at the ends, joined together in pivoting fashion and can be angled-relative to each other in at least two directions, said links being arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the cable-routing device and forming at least one guide channel by means of guide elements located radially outwards, where tensile force-absorbing pivoting joints are located between links joined together in pivoting fashion within the cable-routing device and the links each display corresponding joint elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2004Publication date: November 23, 2006Inventors: Frank Blase, Andreas Hermey
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Publication number: 20060112670Abstract: For the purpose of improving the discharge of electrical charges via the energy guiding chain, an energy guiding chain (1) with a plurality of links (2), which are connected to each other in articulated fashion and each display opposite side pieces (3) and at least one cross-member (4a) connecting them, where the links (2) consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, is characterized in that the links (2) are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element (8) connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, which provides contact areas remaining in unchanging position in relation to the links, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity pType: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
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Publication number: 20060112671Abstract: An arrangement of cross-members (1) joined by connecting elements (2) for fastening to one side of an energy chain comprising chain links connected in articulated fashion, where the chain links each comprise two side pieces connected by a cross-element, as well as a cross-member (1), the ends of which can be snapped onto the side pieces, is intended to be suitable for small and lightweight energy chain embodiments and easy to assemble, and is therefore characterized in that the connecting elements (2) are integrally molded on the cross-members (1), and can be elastically elongated in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement when the space between the cross-members (1)Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
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Publication number: 20050274850Abstract: In order to be able to absorb high forces and to be suitable for high traveling speeds with flat chain links, an energy guiding chain (1), whose chain links (2) each display two opposite side pieces (3), where at least some of the links display at least one cross-member connecting the side pieces, is characterized in that the width-to-height ratio of the side pieces (3) is greater than/equal to 1:4, the pivoted connections of adjacent links (2) are designed as joint elements (13) that bridge them and can be deformed in the event of deflection of the chain (1), and the links (2) display face ends (2a) facing the respectively adjacent links (2), which extend continuously over the full width of the side pieces (3) and act as stop faces (14, 15).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2005Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Gunter Blase, Frank Blase
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Patent number: 6945027Abstract: The invention relates to an energy drag chain for guiding cables, pipes or the like between two connection points that are movable relative to each other and that is configured by a single strand of flat links comprising chain links (5) that are hinged to one another and can be bent relative to one another. At least some of said chain links (5) are provided with at least one support (1) that comprises a compartment for receiving the cables (2) that is open in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The aim of the invention is to provide a device that is simple in design and that allows support and guidance of the cable in a simple manner. To this end, the support comprises at least one element for modifying the cross-section of the compartment for receiving the cables (2) with which the cross-section can lie manually adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Igus Spritzgubteile Fue Die Industrie GmbHInventor: Frank Blase
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Patent number: 6902344Abstract: An angle joint for connecting two components in articulated fashion includes a joint ball, a cup at least partially surrounding the joint ball, and a liner positioned in the cup. The joint ball has a first mounting element for mounting the joint ball on a first component, while the cup has a second mounting element for mounting the cup to a second component. The second mounting element is rotatable about a preferred axis at least through an angular range, and is pivotal relative to the second mounting element. The liner has a nest with a nest opening for receiving the joint ball, at least one sliding surface for slidable mounting of the joint ball, first integrally molded form-fit elements for securing the liner in the cup, and second integrally molded form-fit elements for securing the joint ball inside the liner.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Igus Spritzgussteile für die Industrie GmbHInventors: Martin Raak, Gerhard Baus, Frank Blase
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Publication number: 20050097878Abstract: The invention relates to an energy drag chain for guiding cables, pipes or the like between two connection points that are movable relative to each other and that is configured by a single strand of flat links comprising chain links (5) that are hinged to one another and can be bent relative to one another. At least some of said chain links (5) are provided with at least one support (1) that comprises a compartment for receiving the cables (2) that is open in the longitudinal direction of the chain. The aim of the invention is to provide a device that is simple in design and that allows support and guidance of the cable in a simple manner. To this end, the support comprises at least one element for modifying the cross-section of the compartment for receiving the cables (2) with which the cross-section can lie manually adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2001Publication date: May 12, 2005Inventor: Frank Blase
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Patent number: 6745555Abstract: An energy guiding chain for guiding hoses, cables or the like has numerous chain links (2), connected to one another in articulated fashion. Each chain link has opposing straps (3) with inside and outside lateral surfaces as well as narrow surfaces perpendicular to the lateral surfaces and essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the chain. At least some of the chain links have at least one cross-member (4a, 4b) connecting the opposing straps. The articulated joint includes joint elements (8) which extend between adjacent straps. The joint elements are elastically deformable in the bending direction of the chain links (1), and extend at least partially, preferably entirely, between the inside and outside lateral surfaces of the straps (3). The joint elements (8) can be located in laterally open recesses in the straps. In this manner, the energy guiding chain can travel to form a lower strand (7), a deflection zone (6) and an upper strand (5).Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Igus Spritzgussteile für die Industrie GmbHInventors: Andreas Hermey, Frank Blase, Günter Blase, Thilo Jaeker
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Patent number: 6695014Abstract: The invention concerns an energy guide chain for guiding hoses, cables or lines comprising chain links (2) each consisting of two link plates (3) and at least one crossbar (8) connecting the link plates, wherein link plates (3) of adjacent chain links (2) have pivot regions comprising mutually corresponding pivot pins (4) and openings (5) for receiving the pivot pins, by means of which the chain links (2) are pivotably interconnected, and wherein the link plates (3) of adjacent chain links (2) have mutually overlapping overlap regions (21, 22), forming lines (6, 7) of link plates, and wherein at least one link plate (3) is provided with a region (15, 20) of weakened material, which permits a variation in length of the link plate line (7) beyond the play which occurs in the pivot region (4, 5) in all directions of the link plate (3). In order to permit improved straight-ahead movement of the chain the material-weakened region (15, 20) is in the form of an elastically deformable region of the link plate (3).Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Igus SpritzguBteile fur die Industrie GmbHInventor: Frank Blase