Patents by Inventor Gerhard Friepes

Gerhard Friepes 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: 7370603
    Abstract: A pointer instrument for a motor vehicle includes a pointer drive for deflecting a carrier body. A pointer which is visible in an indication is provided on the carrier body. An optical waveguide element is arranged on that side of the carrier body which is remote from an observer. Light from at least one light source is introduced into the optical waveguide element which extends along the movement path of the pointer. Light emerging from the optical waveguide element enters into the pointer and/or the carrier body, and the pointer is formed such that it is illuminated by light emerging from the optical waveguide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Balsfulland, Gerhard Friepes, Axel Förster, Patrik Hurth
  • Publication number: 20060144318
    Abstract: A pointer instrument for a motor vehicle includes a pointer drive for deflecting a carrier body. A pointer which is visible in an indication is provided on the carrier body. An optical waveguide element is arranged on that side of the carrier body which is remote from an observer. Light from at least one light source is introduced into the optical waveguide element which extends along the movement path of the pointer. Light emerging from the optical waveguide element enters into the pointer and/or the carrier body, and the pointer is formed such that it is illuminated by light emerging from the optical waveguide element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Wolfgang Balsfulland, Gerhard Friepes, Axel Forster, Patrik Hurth
  • Patent number: 6588924
    Abstract: In a display unit there is provided a front instrument panel (2) for inscription with symbols (9), which have an opaque portion (12) enclosed by a transparent portion (11), a so-called island. This opaque portion (12) is applied to a transparent backing (15) and fitted into an opening (13), made in the front instrument panel (2) to correspond to the contour of the symbol (9), at a distance from an edge region (20) of the opening (13). Use of the backing (15) makes it possible to dispense with connecting cross-pieces between the island and the front instrument panel (2). Furthermore, a process for producing the front instrument panel (2) intended for the display unit is provided, in which process firstly the opening (13) is made by punching and the backing (15) is formed by film-insert molding a transparent plastic behind the front instrument panel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Friepes
  • Patent number: 6484663
    Abstract: In a pointer instrument (1), a pointer drive (3) is used to deflect a pointer (4) arranged on a supporting element (2). The supporting element (2) is shaped essentially like a circular ring and is mounted by bearing points (7) equally distributed over its circumference. The central area of the pointer instrument (1) is therefore free of apertures and, as a result, permits the arrangement of a display (9), for example an LCD display, which can be read irrespective of the angular position of the pointer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Stephan Zech, Bernd Ludewig, Gerhard Friepes, Hermann Haas
  • Publication number: 20020108554
    Abstract: In a pointer instrument (1), a pointer drive (3) is used to deflect a pointer (4) arranged on a supporting element (2). The supporting element (2) is shaped essentially like a circular ring and is mounted by bearing points (7) equally distributed over its circumference. The central area of the pointer instrument (1) is therefore free of apertures and, as a result, permits the arrangement of a display (9), for example an LCD display, which can be read irrespective of the angular position of the pointer (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: STEPHAN ZECH, BERND LUDEWIG, GERHARD FRIEPES, HERMANN HAAS
  • Patent number: 5926233
    Abstract: A receptacle has an inset and a housing for the fastening of an LCD screen. The screen has contact surfaces and consists, at least in part, of a plastic injection molding. Plastic springs which are formed by molding on the inset prestress the LCD screen against the housing, and thus fasten it in the receptacle. In this connection, a heat-sealing foil at the same time is prestressed against the contact surfaces of the LCD screen and against the contact surfaces of a plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Vdo Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Gunter Urlaub, Gerhard Wesner, Gerhard Friepes, Bernward Kneer