Patents by Inventor Fritz Steininger

Fritz Steininger 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).

  • Device and method for securing apparatuses with parts freely movable in space
    Patent number: 7031807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for apparatuses having parts freely movable in space, particularly handling equipment such as industrial robots or driverless transportation means, as well as a method for securing such apparatuses by means of such a safety device. The apparatuses have switching means which in the case of a collision of the moving parts with persons or objects emit a control signal through which the moving parts can be stopped or an emergency program can be started up, which brings about a movement sequence opposing the approach movement. The invention is characterized in that the safety device is constructed in the form of a tactile sensor system formed from optical waveguides and located on moving parts of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: KUKA Roboter GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Heiligensetzer, Fritz Steininger
  • Device and method for securing apparatuses with parts freely movable in space
    Publication number: 20030137219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for apparatuses having parts freely movable in space, particularly handling equipment such as industrial robots or driverless transportation means, as well as a method for securing such apparatuses by means of such a safety device. The apparatuses have switching means which in the case of a collision of the moving parts with persons or objects emit a control signal through which the moving parts can be stopped or an emergency program can be started up, which brings about a movement sequence opposing the approach movement. The invention is characterized in that the safety device is constructed in the form of a tactile sensor system formed from optical waveguides and located on moving parts of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Peter Heiligensetzer, Fritz Steininger