Patents by Inventor Gunter Maierhofer

Gunter Maierhofer 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: 10851566
    Abstract: A latch actuator comprises a motor, a speed reduction gearing coupled to an output shaft of the motor, a spindle, and a motion conversion mechanism. The spindle has a threaded portion in engagement with the speed reduction gearing. The spindle is supported to be rotatable about an axis. The threaded portion is rotationally fixed relative to the spindle. The motion conversion mechanism is configured to cause a displacement of the spindle along the axis when the spindle rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: SCHUKRA GERÄTEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Deppe, Joachim Carl, Maxime Samain, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 10780810
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing, a motor, a drive mechanism and a clutch coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is mounted displaceably relative to the housing. A displacement of the motor relative to the housing is operative to actuate the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Schukra Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Carl, Gunter Maierhofer, Maxime Samain
  • Patent number: 10780798
    Abstract: A seat component adjustment actuator (1) comprises a housing, an electric motor (5), and a gearing (10) coupled to the electric motor (5) and comprising at least three worm transmission stages (11-16). A first worm transmission stage (11, 12) comprises a first worm (11) and a first worm gear (12) engaged with the first worm (11). A third worm transmission stage (15, 16) comprises a third worm (15) and a third worm gear (16) engaged with the third worm (15). The first worm (11) is supported in the housing such that the first worm (11) is rotatable about an input rotation axis. The third worm gear (16) is supported in the housing such that the third worm gear (16) is rotatable about an output rotation axis which is transverse to the input rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Schukra Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Falster, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Publication number: 20180251043
    Abstract: A seat component adjustment actuator (1) comprises a housing, an electric motor (5), and a gearing (10) coupled to the electric motor (5) and comprising at least three worm transmission stages (11-16). A first worm transmission stage (11, 12) comprises a first worm (11) and a first worm gear (12) engaged with the first worm (11). A third worm transmission stage (15, 16) comprises a third worm (15) and a third worm gear (16) engaged with the third worm (15). The first worm (11) is supported in the housing such that the first worm (11) is rotatable about an input rotation axis. The third worm gear (16) is supported in the housing such that the third worm gear (16) is rotatable about an output rotation axis which is transverse to the input rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Frank Falster, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 10052975
    Abstract: A seat cushion length adjusting device comprises a support, an adjusting member displaceably mounted to the support and configured for attachment to at least a portion of a seat cushion, and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to the support and the adjusting member. The actuator is configured to displace the adjusting member relative to the support. The actuator comprises a power drive, a speed reduction gearing, and a motion conversion mechanism for converting a rotational motion of an output of the speed reduction gearing into a linear displacement between the adjusting member and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Rüdiger Deppe, Martin Fritzsche, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Publication number: 20180029508
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a housing, a motor, a drive mechanism and a clutch coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is mounted displaceably relative to the housing. A displacement of the motor relative to the housing is operative to actuate the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Joachim CARL, Gunter MAIERHOFER, Maxime SAMAIN
  • Publication number: 20170136919
    Abstract: A seat cushion length adjusting device comprises a support, an adjusting member displaceably mounted to the support and configured for attachment to at least a portion of a seat cushion, and an actuator. The actuator is coupled to the support and the adjusting member. The actuator is configured to displace the adjusting member relative to the support. The actuator comprises a power drive, a speed reduction gearing, and a motion conversion mechanism for converting a rotational motion of an output of the speed reduction gearing into a linear displacement between the adjusting member and the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Rüdiger DEPPE, Martin FRITZSCHE, Klaus JUNKER, Gunter MAIERHOFER
  • Publication number: 20170044805
    Abstract: A latch actuator comprises a motor, a speed reduction gearing coupled to an output shaft of the motor, a spindle, and a motion conversion mechanism. The spindle has a threaded portion in engagement with the speed reduction gearing. The spindle is supported to be rotatable about an axis. The threaded portion is rotationally fixed relative to the spindle. The motion conversion mechanism is configured to cause a displacement of the spindle along the axis when the spindle rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Rüdiger Deppe, Joachim Carl, Maxime Samain, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 9365140
    Abstract: A headrest system comprises a headrest, a bracket to which the headrest is mounted and an actuator. The actuator is configured to displace at least a portion of the headrest relative to the bracket in a displacement direction which is transverse to a longitudinal member of the bracket. The actuator comprises a spindle transmission and a power drive coupled to the spindle transmission. The spindle transmission comprises a spindle and a spindle nut engaged with the spindle. The power drive is arranged in a cavity defined within an outer shell of the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Falster, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer, Jürgen Wanke
  • Publication number: 20160016493
    Abstract: A latch release actuator for a seat latch is configured to apply a tension onto a flexible latch release member to release the seat latch. The latch release actuator comprises a pulley mounted to be rotatable about a rotation axis between a rest position and a latch release position. The pulley comprises an attachment portion for attaching the flexible latch release member. The latch release actuator comprises a power drive mechanism to drive the pulley. The latch release actuator comprises a lock mechanism configured to selectively lock the pulley at the latch release position when the pulley reaches the latch release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Ruediger Deppe, Maxime Samain, Christoph Kiesewetter, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Publication number: 20150203007
    Abstract: A headrest system comprises a headrest, a bracket to which the headrest is mounted and an actuator. The actuator is configured to displace at least a portion of the headrest relative to the bracket in a displacement direction which is transverse to a longitudinal member of the bracket. The actuator comprises a spindle transmission and a power drive coupled to the spindle transmission. The spindle transmission comprises a spindle and a spindle nut engaged with the spindle. The power drive is arranged in a cavity defined within an outer shell of the headrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Falster, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer, Jürgen Wanke
  • Patent number: 8991923
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a lumbar support includes a pair of spaced guide members. A first adjusting member is coupled to the pair of guide members and displaceable along the pair of guide members and configured such that the lumbar support is adjusted when the first adjusting member is displaced. A second adjusting member is displaceable along the pair of guide members. A drive mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the lumbar support includes a motor provided on the first adjusting member so as to be displaceable along the guide members jointly with the first adjusting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Klaus Junker, Frank Falster, Matthias Meyer
  • Publication number: 20130341982
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a lumbar support includes a pair of spaced guide members. A first adjusting member is coupled to the pair of guide members and displaceable along the pair of guide members and configured such that the lumbar support is adjusted when the first adjusting member is displaced. A second adjusting member is displaceable along the pair of guide members. A drive mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the lumbar support includes a motor provided on the first adjusting member so as to be displaceable along the guide members jointly with the first adjusting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU GMBH
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Klaus Junker, Frank Falster, Matthias Meyer
  • Patent number: 8544954
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a lumbar support comprises a pair of spaced guide members, an adjusting member coupled to the pair of guide members, and a drive mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the lumbar support. The adjusting member is displaceable along the pair of guide members and configured such that the lumbar support is adjusted when the adjusting member is displaced. The drive mechanism comprises a motor, which is provided on the adjusting member so as to be displaceable along the guide members jointly with the adjusting member. The motor may be coupled to a shaft having a structured exterior surface, the drive mechanism being configured to effect a relative displacement between the adjusting member and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Klaus Junker, Frank Falster, Matthias Meyer
  • Patent number: 8360523
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a lumbar support comprises a pair of spaced guide members, an adjusting member coupled to the pair of guide members, and a drive mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the lumbar support. The adjusting member is displaceable along the pair of guide members and configured such that the lumbar support is adjusted when the adjusting member is displaced. The drive mechanism comprises a motor, which is provided on the adjusting member so as to be displaceable along the guide members jointly with the adjusting member. The motor may be coupled to a shaft having a structured exterior surface, the drive mechanism being configured to effect a relative displacement between the adjusting member and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Klaus Junker, Frank Falster, Matthias Meyer
  • Patent number: 8201886
    Abstract: Lumbar support for a seat backrest, comprising a support basket (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the seat backrest, a frame (12) to which the support basket (10) is mounted and an adjustment device (11) which changes the position of the support basket relative to the frame, the adjustment device including a plurality of adjustment members (60) some of which are movable with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Veit Stossel, Klaus Junker, Jan Petzel
  • Publication number: 20110115268
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a lumbar support comprises a pair of spaced guide members, an adjusting member coupled to the pair of guide members, and a drive mechanism for effecting an adjustment of the lumbar support. The adjusting member is displaceable along the pair of guide members and configured such that the lumbar support is adjusted when the adjusting member is displaced. The drive mechanism comprises a motor, which is provided on the adjusting member so as to be displaceable along the guide members jointly with the adjusting member. The motor may be coupled to a shaft having a structured exterior surface, the drive mechanism being configured to effect a relative displacement between the adjusting member and the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Klaus Junker, Frank Falster, Matthias Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090212615
    Abstract: Lumbar support for a seat backrest, comprising a support basket (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the seat backrest, a frame (12) to which the support basket (10) is mounted and an adjustment device (11) which changes the position of the support basket relative to the frame, the adjustment device including a plurality of adjustment members (60) some of which are movable with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: L&P Swiss HOLDING COMPANY
    Inventors: Gunter Maierhofer, Veit Stössel, Klaus Junker, Jan Petzel
  • Publication number: 20090045661
    Abstract: A seat-component adjusting device of a compact overall size and with a high transmission ratio comprises an electric motor (10), a worm gear (11, 12) coupled at the input side to the electric motor, an eccentric gear (13, 14) coupled at the input side to the worm gear, and a rotary element (17) coupled by coupling means (21, 22) to the eccentric gear (13, 14). The coupling means (21, 22) are designed to convert a wobbling movement of a rotor (13) of the eccentric gear into a rotational movement of the rotary element (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Veit Stoessel, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 7207515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive unit for a safety belt tensioner which has a drive which can be triggered on the response of an acceleration sensor and which can be rotationally fixedly coupled to the belt winding reel. The drive is located in a drive chamber which is formed by two plates, which extend parallel to one another and which are provided with a coating material, and which has a drive band of which at least one end is fastened to a drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Takata-Petri (Ulm) GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Kopetzky, Roland Schnabl, Andreas Wengert, Gunter Maierhofer, Dieter Beck