Patents by Inventor Heiko Schütz

Heiko Schütz 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: 20120315027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a movably mounted camera unit (10), which can be brought into an idle position (A) and an active position (B) by means of a drive unit (11), and to a protection element (12), which can be transferred into a closed position and an open position, wherein the camera unit (10) is located in the idle position thereof inaccessible from the outside behind the protection element (12) when the protection element (12) is in the closed position and the camera unit (10) is located in the active position for image acquisition when the protection element (12) is in the open position wherein the camera unit (10) is arranged on a movably mounted pivot arm (3), which connects the drive unit (11) to the protection element (12), wherein a movement of the pivot arm (3) triggered by the drive unit (11) can transfer the protection element (12) into the closed position and open position and the camera unit (10) into the idle position and the active position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Heiko Schütz
  • Publication number: 20120293656
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) that is intended for a motor vehicle and that has a camera unit (10), which can be brought into an inactive position (A) and into an active position (B), and has a protective element (12), which can be guided into a closed position (C) and into an open position (D), wherein in the closed position (C) of the protective element (12) the camera unit (10) is in its inactive position (A) behind the protective element (12), where it is inaccessible from the outside, and in the open position (D) of the protective element (12) the camera unit (10) is in its active position (B) for image acquisition, and the device has a drive unit (11) for moving the camera unit (10) and the protective element (12), and wherein the camera unit (10) and the protective element (12) are movably hinged to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Heiko Schütz
  • Patent number: 8243137
    Abstract: A device that has the double function of opening a lock upon actuation of a handle, and as the need may arise, of capturing the exterior of the vehicle in an image via a camera. A hole is provided in the back wall of a support shell receiving the handle, and the housing of a module is mounted on the hole. The camera is supported in a pivoting and translatory manner in the module housing via a camera mount between a retracting position and an extending position. Furthermore, a drive and a gear are mounted on the module housing for a rotational-translatory displacement of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heiko Schuetz
  • Publication number: 20120007984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a camera unit (10), which is used to record images of the outer area of a motor vehicle, comprising a camera (11), which is accommodated in a housing (12) of the camera unit (10) so as to be movable between a retracted position and an image recording position. According to the invention, at least one first slotted guide (15) is provided for guiding the motion of the camera (11) between the retracted position and the image recording position, wherein at least one sliding element (21) is arranged on the camera (11), which sliding element is guided in the slotted guide (15) to guide the motion of the camera (11) between the retracted position and the image recording position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: HUF Hulsbeck & Furst GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Heiko Schütz
  • Patent number: 7891886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle, comprising a rotatably mounted camera unit (10) which can be brought into an inactive position and into an active position by means of a motor, and a protective element (20) that can be rotatably guided about a first axis (21) into a closed position and into an open position, the camera unit (10), in the closed position, being in its inactive position behind the protective element (20) and inaccessible from the exterior, and, in the open position of the protective element (20), the camera unit (10) assuming the active position for recording images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: HUF Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heiko Schuetz
  • Publication number: 20100040361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a motor vehicle, comprising a rotatably mount ed camera unit (10) which can be brought into an inactive position and into an active position by means of a motor, and a protective element (20) that can be rotatably guided about a first axis (21) into a closed position and into an open position, the camera unit (10), in the closed position, being in its inactive position behind the protective element (20) and inaccessible from the exterior, and, in the open position of the protective element (20), the camera unit (10) assuming the active position for recording images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Heiko Schuetz
  • Publication number: 20090309971
    Abstract: This device has the double function of opening the lock upon actuation of a handle (20), and as the need may arise, of capturing the exterior of the vehicle in an image via a camera (31). In order to optimally carry out these two tasks, and for a space-saving configuration, it is proposed to configure a hole in the back wall of a support shell (10) receiving the handle (20), the housing (23) of a module being mounted on this hole. The camera (31) is supported in a pivoting and translatory manner in the module housing (23) via a camera mount (32) between a retracting position and an extending position (31.2). Furthermore, a drive (30) and a gear are mounted on the module housing (33) for a rotational-translatory displacement (32.2) of the camera (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Heiko Schuetz
  • Patent number: 7387004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a latch which must enable the locked mobile part (10) of a motor vehicle body to be released if necessary by means of a key-actuated closing cylinder (40), in order to manually open the mobile part (10). A handle (21) is provided on the mobile part (10) for the opening of the same (10), said handle being able to pivot in a vertical plane in relation to the vehicle body. When the handle is in its closed position (20.1), it is essentially flush with the vehicle body. In the outwardly pivoted open position, the handle can be gripped by a hand, also enabling the closing cylinder (40) to be accessed by the key. In order to provide the latch with a compact design, the handle (21) is embodied as a carrier for the closing cylinder (40) and forms a pivotable arrangement (20) therewith. A rotary coupling member (45) which can be actuated by the closing cylinder (40) is located on said arrangement (20) and participates in the pivoting movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Schütz, Gerd Buschmann