Patents by Inventor Jurgen Pfanz
Jurgen Pfanz 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).
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Patent number: 8209816Abstract: A first locking arm connected to a second locking arm on a locking hinge axis. A pair of bearing surfaces on the first locking arm have a first axial spacing, and the second locking arm having a bearing block carrying bearing counter surfaces engaging the bearing surfaces providing a hinged connection between the locking arms. The bearing counter surfaces having a second axial spacing. A first locking element having a first locking surface affixed on one of the bearing surfaces, and a second locking surface affixed on one of the bearing counter surfaces engaging the first locking surface. A spring element biasing the first and the second locking surfaces together. The first axial spacing is less than the second axial spacing so that there is a second spring force acting on the first and second locking surfaces superimposed on the first spring force.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignees: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC, Mekra Lang GmbH & Co. KG.Inventors: Sebastian Heger, Jürgen Pfanz, Werner Lang
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Publication number: 20110083300Abstract: A first locking arm connected to a second locking arm on a locking hinge axis. A pair of bearing surfaces on the first locking arm have a first axial spacing, and the second locking arm having a bearing block carrying bearing counter surfaces engaging the bearing surfaces providing a hinged connection between the locking arms. The bearing counter surfaces having a second axial spacing. A first locking element having a first locking surface affixed on one of the bearing surfaces, and a second locking surface affixed on one of the bearing counter surfaces engaging the first locking surface. A spring element biasing the first and the second locking surfaces together. The first axial spacing is less than the second axial spacing so that there is a second spring force acting on the first and second locking surfaces superimposed on the first spring force.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Sebastian Heger, Jürgen Pfanz, Werner Lang
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Patent number: 7828452Abstract: A mirror support assembly for a motor vehicle comprising an upper support arm, an upper mounting element for mounting the upper support arms to the vehicle, a lower support arm, and a lower mounting element for mounting the lower support arm to the vehicle. A mirror head brace for uniting the upper and lower support arms includes a cast structural member made by pressure casting. The mirror head brace includes at least one longitudinal groove which determines a defined angular setting between the mirror head brace and the upper and lower support arms. The plurality of scorings functionally determine different angular settings relative to the mirror support arms of a mirror head 12 which is carried by mirror head brace.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Markus Meier, Jurgen Pfanz, Albrecht Popp, Simon Deffner
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Patent number: 7631977Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed, the rearview mirror assembly including a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle. The support structure includes a first part for substantially permanent connection to the vehicle and a second part for selective connection to the first part. A support arm is provided on which at least one mirror is mounted, the second part of the support structure being disposed on the support arm. A locking mechanism is disposed on the support structure for selectively locking together the first and second parts of the support structure to thereby secure the support arm and mirror to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Publication number: 20080174894Abstract: A mirror support assembly for a motor vehicle comprising an upper support arm, an upper mounting element for mounting the upper support arms to the vehicle, a lower support arm, and a lower mounting element for mounting the lower support arm to the vehicle. A mirror head brace for uniting the upper and lower support arms includes a cast structural member made by pressure casting. The mirror head brace includes at least one longitudinal groove which determines a defined angular setting between the mirror head brace and the upper and lower support arms. The plurality of scorings functionally determine different angular settings relative to the mirror support arms of a mirror head 12 which is carried by mirror head brace.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Markus Meier, Jurgen Pfanz, Albrecht Popp, Simon Deffner
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Patent number: 7198378Abstract: A support arm for a vehicle mirror having at least one mirror head with a mirror pane which includes an upper holding arm (1) made of plastic with an anchoring element (2) for mounting on a vehicle, and a lower holding arm (3) made of plastic with an anchoring element (4) at the bottom for mounting on a vehicle. A one-piece base (6) includes a metal tube (5) whose top or, as the case may be, bottom end is securely connected with the upper and lower holding arm, respectively. The base can also be built in the form of a base plate. In this case, the base has a removable positioning wedge (7) that can be removed from the base to change the angle of at least one mirror pane and/or mirror head carried by the base. The positioning wedge is attached to provide an exterior driver-side rear view mirror, and is removed to provide a passenger-side rear view mirror.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Jurgen Pfanz, Markus Meier, Rudolf Mayer
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Publication number: 20050122605Abstract: A support arm for a vehicle mirror having at least one mirror head with a mirror pane which includes an upper holding arm (1) made of plastic with an anchoring element (2) for mounting on a vehicle, and a lower holding arm (3) made of plastic with an anchoring element (4) at the bottom for mounting on a vehicle. A one-piece base (6) includes a metal tube (5) whose top or, as the case may be, bottom end is securely connected with the upper and lower holding arm, respectively. The base can also be built in the form of a base plate. In this case, the base has a removable positioning wedge (7) that can be removed from the base to change the angle of at least one mirror pane and/or mirror head carried by the base. The positioning wedge is attached to provide an exterior driver-side rear view mirror, and is removed to provide a passenger-side rear view mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Jurgen Pfanz, Markus Meier, Rudolf Mayer
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Patent number: 6692131Abstract: A rearview mirror system includes components that can be used on both the left and right side of a vehicle. Only one carrier plate need be used to mount the mirrors. By changing mounting procedure on the two identical carrier plates, one carrier plate may be used for both the right and left mirrors, thereby reducing the number of components. A wedge-shaped transition piece may be used to provide the asymmetric mounting to thereby allow for mounting on the right and left sides of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Patent number: 6554436Abstract: A horn shaped rearview mirror assembly for vehicles is disclosed including a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle, and a support arm including a carrier structure having a vehicle end and a free end, the vehicle end connected to the support structure. The support arm also includes a molded component secured to the carrier structure, the molded component including a mirror housing. A main rearview mirror is affixed to the mirror housing for providing the driver a rearview of the vehicle, and a single supplemental mirror is affixed to the mirror housing above the main mirror for providing the driver a view of at least two dead zones disposed about the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Publication number: 20020135910Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed, the rearview mirror assembly including a support structure for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle. The support structure includes a first part for substantially permanent connection to the vehicle and a second part for selective connection to the first part. A support arm is provided on which at least one mirror is mounted, the second part of the support structure being disposed on the support arm. A locking mechanism is disposed on the support structure for selectively locking together the first and second parts of the support structure to thereby secure the support arm and mirror to the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jurgen Pfanz
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Publication number: 20020079419Abstract: A lockable support is disposed for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle. The support includes a reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle, and a support arm including a mirror end and a vehicle end. The mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror, and the vehicle end is connectable to the reception fixture. A connecting mechanism connects the support arm to the reception fixture to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle. A locking device is disposed on the reception fixture for securing the support arm to the clamp reception fixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2002Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jurgen Pfanz
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Patent number: 6352231Abstract: A clamping support for fastening a rearview mirror onto a vehicle is disclosed. The clamping support comprises a clamp reception fixture for attachment to the vehicle, an insertable component including a mirror end and a vehicle end, wherein the mirror end is connectable to the rearview mirror and the vehicle end is insertable in a first direction into the reception fixture, and a clamp wedge disposed within the insertable component and slidable in a second clamping direction perpendicular to the first direction. Movement of the clamp wedge in the clamping direction within the insertable component urges the clamp reception fixture and the insertable component into frictional engagement to thereby secure the rearview mirror to the vehicle. A related rear view mirror assembly is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Patent number: 6336726Abstract: A fastening member for securing a rearview mirror housing to a vehicle and a related rearview mirror assembly are disclosed. The housing has a mirror carrier plate secured therein and defining an opening extending through the housing, the mirror carrier plate including at least one fastening connector disposed adjacent the opening. The fastening member includes a first support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first support arm for securing to the vehicle, a second support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second support arm for securing to the vehicle, the second support arm extending substantially parallel to the first support arm, and a connecting piece extending substantially perpendicular to the first and second support arms and formed integrally with the first and second support arms.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Patent number: D504092Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Albrecht Popp, Jürgen Pfanz
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Patent number: D554038Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLCInventors: Heinrich Lang, Markus Meier, Jurgen Pfanz