Patents by Inventor Helmut Olbrich

Helmut Olbrich 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: 6606961
    Abstract: In a pointer-type instrument (1) having a pointer with a pointer shaft (5) that deflects a pointer vane (2), power is supplied to a light source (3), which is connected to the pointer for rotation in common, by a flexible, spiral film (11) provided with conductor tracks (12, 13). For this purpose, the pointer shaft (5) has an enlargement (9), which supports the film (11) and secures it against sliding off axially. As a result, the film (11) can be made particularly thin, thereby making it possible to reduce the driving torque required to deflect the pointer shaft (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Heinrich Noll, Frank Jansa, Helmut Olbrich, Michael Vogel
  • Patent number: 6601532
    Abstract: An indicating instrument has a pointer (1) driven by a measuring mechanism by a pointer spindle (3). The pointer has a region (10) on the pointer hub side which in cross section has the form of an H. This H is formed by a horizontal bar (20) and two outer bars (21, 22). Ribs (23, 24) extending in zigzag form above and below the horizontal bar (20) increase the rigidity of the region (10) on the pointer hub side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Helmut Olbrich
  • Patent number: 6490992
    Abstract: A pointer instrument having a connecting sleeve (3) which holds an essentially transparent pointer (4), and an illuminating means (10) that radiates directly into a f lag (12) of the pointer (4) the connecting sleeve (3) having conductors (17), 18) and contact surfaces (15, 16) of conductive plastic. At its end facing away from the pointer (4), the connecting sleeve (3) has connecting contacts (13, 14) for making contact with a power supply of a circuit board (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Helmut Olbrich, Hans Kolibius, Heinrich Noll, Stephan Zech
  • Publication number: 20020007777
    Abstract: In the case of a pointer instrument having a connecting sleeve (3), that holds an essentially transparent pointer (4), and an illuminating means (10) that radiates directly into a flag (12) of the pointer (4), the connecting sleeve (3) has conductors (17, 18) and contact surfaces (15, 16) of conductive plastic. At its end facing away from the pointer (4), the connecting sleeve (3) has connecting contacts (13, 14) for making contact with a power supply of a circuit board (6). (FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann VDO
    Inventors: Helmut Olbrich, Hans Kolibius, Heinrich Noll, Stephan Zech
  • Patent number: 6314908
    Abstract: A pointer instrument having a connecting sleeve (3) which holds an essentially transparent pointer (4), and an illuminating means (10) that radiates directly into a flag (12) of the pointer (4), the connecting sleeve (3) having conductors (17), 18) and contact surfaces (15, 16) of conductive plastic. At its end facing away from the pointer (4), the connecting sleeve (3) has connecting contacts (13, 14) for making contact with a power supply of a circuit board (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Helmut Olbrich, Hans Kolibius, Heinrich Noll, Stephan Zech
  • Patent number: 6218790
    Abstract: In order to code its light intensity class, a light-emitting diode (1) has a number of contact elements (3-8) which are connected to series resistors (13-16) situated outside a physical unit comprising the contact elements (3-8), a connection element (2) and the light-emitting diode (1). Depending on the code, series resistors (13-16) are combined and thus compensate for the fluctuations in light intensity which are unavoidable in light-emitting diode manufacture. The light-emitting diode (1) is therefore automatically connected to the requisite series resistor (13-16) by connecting the connection element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Vdo AG
    Inventors: Frank Jansa, Helmut Olbrich, Heinrich Noll, Michael Vogel