Patents by Inventor Klaus-Peter Rathmann

Klaus-Peter Rathmann 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: 7029039
    Abstract: According to the inventive method, a pawl which in a normal mode of operation is rotatably mounted about a point of rotation when it is in a closed position can be rotated by means of a first actuator, which is controlled by a main power supply and by means of a toothed gearwheel segment which is also rotatably mounted about said point of rotation and which can run freely in relation to the pawl, until an open position is obtained. In the event of an emergency, the pawl can be rotated by means of a second self-inhibiting actuator, which is controlled by the emergency power supply, by means of another rotatably mounted toothed gearwheel segment which comprises a toothed gearwheel having a smaller diameter and which engages with the toothed wheel segment, until an open position is obtained. The emergency power supply is then interrupted and the pawl is maintained in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Rathmann, Axel Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20050145740
    Abstract: According to the inventive method, a pawl which in a normal mode of operation is rotatably mounted about a point of rotation when it is in a closed position can be rotated by means of a first actuator, which is controlled by a main power supply and by means of a toothed gearwheel segment which is also rotatably mounted about said point of rotation and which can run freely in relation to the pawl, until an open position is obtained. In the event of an emergency, the pawl can be rotated by means of a second self-inhibiting actuator, which is controlled by the emergency power supply, by means of another rotatably mounted toothed gearwheel segment which comprises a toothed gearwheel having a smaller diameter and which engages with the toothed wheel segment, until an open position is obtained. The emergency power supply is then interrupted and the pawl is maintained in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Rathmann, Axel Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6523376
    Abstract: A lock suitable for use in a motor vehicle door has a rotary latch, a locking wedge, a pawl, a setting device, and a transmission device wherein the rotary latch cooperates with the locking wedge to be locked in a locking position by the pawl. Upon actuation of a manipulator, the setting device brings the pawl electrically at least into one opening position. The transmission device brings the pawl into its opening position by actuation of the manipulator over a displacement range which is greater than a displacement range of an electric unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Theo Baukholt, Klaus-Peter Rathmann, Jens Lübben, Sven Petzold
  • Publication number: 20010029759
    Abstract: A lock suitable for use in a motor vehicle door has a rotary latch, a locking wedge, a pawl, a setting device, and a transmission device wherein the rotary latch cooperates with the locking wedge to be locked in a locking position by the pawl. Upon actuation of a manipulator, the setting device brings the pawl electrically at least into one opening position. The transmission device brings the pawl into its opening position by actuation of the manipulator over a displacement range which is greater than a displacement range of an electric unlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Theo Baukholt, Klaus-Peter Rathmann, Jens Lubben, Sven Petzold
  • Patent number: 6304003
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device, in particular for a door, a tailgate, a trunk lid or the like of a vehicle, with at least one actuating drive which is capable of being activated in order to set functions of the locking device and which is operatively connected to an element of the locking device via at least one transmission element, according to the invention means being provided which detect the continuous movements and functional positions of the actuating drive or of the transmission element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Peter Rathmann, Axel Schäfer, Erhard Franz, Peter Kleinmichel
  • Patent number: 5992194
    Abstract: A lock including a device for unlocking the door of a motor vehicle in case of a malfunction of the lock, as in the event of an accident of the motor vehicle, to open the lock or allow the lock to be reliably opened manually. The unlocking is triggered by a setting device which can be operated during a malfunction independently of a supply of electric current for unlocking the door. Also included in the lock is a rotary latch for engaging a closure wedge upon a locking of the door, and a pawl which holds the latch in a locked position during normal locking of the door, but releasing the latch upon operation of the setting device in the event of a sensed malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Theo Baukholt, Klaus-Peter Rathmann, Jens Lubben