Patents by Inventor Karl Billen

Karl Billen 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).

  • Switching element produced in the form of a film
    Patent number: 6429668
    Abstract: A switching element of foil construction is presented, with a triggering layer of first resistive material applied to a first carrier-foil and a sensor layer of a second resistive material applied to a second carrier-foil. The two carrier-foils are arranged a certain distance from each other by means of spacers, in such a way that the triggering layer and the sensor layer are opposite each other and, when the switching element is not operated, are not in contact with each other, whereas, when the switching element is triggered, the triggering layer and the sensor layer are initially in contact with each other at a first point of their surface, and the area of contact increases as the pressure on the switching element is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Karl Billen, Laurent Federspiel, Edgard Theiss
  • Motor vehicle seat with integrated occupation detector
    Patent number: 6412357
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat with integrated occupation detector is featured having an upper frame, which supports seat upholstery or a seat shell, and a lower frame, which is secured in the vehicle, and mechanical mounting elements to support the upper frame in the lower frame. The mounting elements are designed in such a way that they are deformed elastically under the weight of a seat user, the occupation detector comprising at least one measuring pick-up, which measures the elastic deformation of the mounting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Karl Billen
  • Pressure-sensitive area sensor
    Patent number: 6289747
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive area sensor having a two-dimensional support structure which is made up essentially of flexible strips and of several pressure-sensitive switching elements which are distributed over the area of the supporting structure, with the switching elements being connected to each other by connecting means. The pressure-sensitive switching elements are supported, at least where the supporting structure is subjected to large three-dimensional deformations, by free-standing projections of the connecting strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: I.E.E. International Electronics & Engineering S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Karl Billen, Laurent Federspiel, Edgard Theiss, Reinhard Knecht
  • Motor vehicle seat with integrated occupation detector
    Publication number: 20010011482
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat with integrated occupation detector comprises an upper frame (10), which supports seat upholstery or a seat shell, and a lower frame (12), which is secured in the vehicle, and mechanical mounting elements (16) to support the upper frame (10) in the lower frame (12). The mounting elements (16, 116, 216) are designed in such a way that they are deformed elastically under the weight of a seat user, the occupation detector comprising at least one measuring pick-up (18), which measures this elastic deformation of the mounting elements (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Billen