Patents by Inventor Lothar Patberg

Lothar Patberg 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: 7690721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a junction structure for connecting two profiles(1, 2), especially in a vehicle support frame. The first profile (1) has at least two planar, parallel sides and the second profile (2) comprises two parallel, opposite girders (3, 4) and at least one strip (5, 6) connecting the girders (3, 4). The girders (3, 4), with their lateral ends, project relative to the strip (5, 6), the projections forming paired, parallel flanges (31, 41, 32, 42). The junction structure is characterized in that the first profile (1) at the location of connection, is provided with a recess (7) into which the second profile (2) is inserted on the front side in such a manner that the parallel sides of the opposite ends (8, 9) of the first profile limiting the recess (7) rest in a form fit against the insides (31a, 41a, 32a, 42a) of the opposite flanges (31, 41, 32, 42) of the second profile (2) and are connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG
    Inventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20090280348
    Abstract: A composite sheet comprising two sheets joined by material closure provides on the one hand high global and local bending stiffness, and on the other hand very good forming behavior and very high load capacity in case of great deformations, as in case of a crash for example. Both sheets of the composite sheet comprise an at least partially structured surface and a smooth surface and both sheets are at least partially joined by material closure via the structured surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Lothar Patberg, Klaus Blümel
  • Publication number: 20090178455
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for shaping a blank into a hollow profiled element comprising at least one base plate, onto which the blank that is to be shaped can be placed, at least one die core for the hollow profiled element and at least two die halves for shaping the blank into the hollow profiled element, as well as a method for producing a hollow profiled element with at least one molded-on stiffening and/or functional element made from a blank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Michael Brüggenbrock, Thomas Flehmig, Lothar Patberg
  • Patent number: 7500802
    Abstract: A three-dimensional joint structure of a support frame for vehicles can include two hollow profiles, of which the first hollow profile has at least one planar side and is cut through around its circumference except for a web lying in this planar side and is bent around this web. The second hollow profile has at least two planar sides that press against the ends of the first hollow profile resulting from the cutting and bending. The two hollow profiles are integrally joined to one another at the edge region of the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20080311422
    Abstract: A method for producing a composite part is provided. The method includes a first and at least one second part, wherein the first part at least in part is made of a first metal and the second part at least in part is made of another metal that has a lower melting temperature than that of the first metal. Composite parts produced by the method are also provided. The method for producing composite parts which have an improved load-bearing capacity and yet low weight, is achieved by the fact that at least one breakthrough encompassing a breakthrough collar is introduced into the first part and the second part is non-positively and/or positively moulded onto the first part at least in the area of the breakthrough and the breakthrough collar by heating the second part and applying pressure to said second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel Ag
    Inventors: Thomas Flehmig, Lothar Patberg
  • Patent number: 7455340
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced section for a vehicle supporting frame, said section connecting two pillars (8) of the vehicle supporting frame, in particular the C-pillars or D-pillars at their bases in the form of a transversal wall, whose ends, which are configured as pillar connection zones (6a, 7a), extend onto the pillars (8) by means of rounded corner reinforcements (6, 7). The invention is characterised in that the reinforced section and the corner reinforcements (6, 7) are configured as a one-piece double shell consisting of two blanks (10) produced in an internal high-pressure forming process and welded together around their periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Ernst Weckenmann
  • Publication number: 20080224500
    Abstract: A motor vehicle body can be manufactured economically and assembled without any problem from prefabricated modules. This is resolved in that the modules are connected to one another in a non-detachable manner in a joint zone, such that a sheet of the one module coming into contact in the joint zone on a sheet section of another module, are joined to one another in a joining process, in which at least one of the sheet sections has been cold-formed, with positive and/or non-positive fit, and in that in at least one of the modules an access channel is formed, extending at least in sections along the joint zone and accessible from outside for introduction of a joining tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
    Inventors: Lothar Patberg, Mario Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080179871
    Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension strut top mounting (1) in a body structure of a motor vehicle. The suspension strut top mounting (1) consists of two half-shells (2, 3) which are connected together in a rigid manner on the outer edge thereof (4, 5) and form a cavity (4) therebetween and are placed on top of each other in the support region (7) of the suspension strut top mounting (8). The suspension strut top mounting (1) is integrated into the body structure as a connecting node for adjacent hollow profiles (10, 12) of the body structure such that it reinforces and delivers a positive contribution to the crash behavior of the vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP STEEL AG
    Inventors: Rene Hampe, Lothar Patberg
  • Patent number: 7389586
    Abstract: A y-shaped gusset structure can be used, for example, in a support frame for vehicles. The gusset structure includes two hollow sections. The first hollow section includes at least one flat side, has been cut through along its circumference except for a web situated in the flat side, and has been bent open around this web. The face of the second hollow section has been inserted into the facing ends of the first hollow section, which facing ends have been created by the process of cutting and bending open, wherein the edge regions of the ends are integrally connected with the first hollow section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Steel AG
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Patent number: 7273247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for vehicles, made from a longitudinal member (1) comprising at least two interconnected hollow sections (10, 11). One of the hollow sections continues in the direction of the bumper (5). In the case of a crash with low-speed impact, there is a targeted deformation of the single hollow section (10c), which makes it possible to carry out repairs economically. In the case of a higher-speed impact, the more rigid support structure of the double hollow section for protecting passengers comes into play. Since in this design the impact absorber, which is usually arranged between the longitudinal member and the bumper, can be done without, there is also a reduction in the number of components required, and thus in the overall weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG
    Inventors: Axel Grueneklee, Lothar Patberg, Dariush Philipp
  • Publication number: 20070201517
    Abstract: The invention relates to a junction structure for connecting two profiles(1, 2), especially in a vehicle support frame. The first profile (1) has at least two planar, parallel sides and the second profile (2) comprises two parallel, opposite girders (3, 4) and at least one strip (5, 6) connecting the girders (3, 4). The girders (3, 4), with their lateral ends, project relative to the strip (5, 6), the projections forming paired, parallel flanges (31, 41, 32, 42). The junction structure is characterized in that the first profile (1) at the location of connection, is provided with a recess (7) into which the second profile (2) is inserted on the front side in such a manner that the parallel sides of the opposite ends (8, 9) of the first profile limiting the recess (7) rest in a form fit against the insides (31a, 41a, 32a, 42a) of the opposite flanges (31, 41, 32, 42) of the second profile (2) and are connected thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Axel Gruneklee, Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20070085382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a carrier structure of a motor vehicle in a spaceframe style, said structure comprising a roof frame (1) provided with a longitudinal member (1a) and a cross member (1b), longitudinal members (2a, 2b) which are arranged on both sides at the level of the vehicle floor and consist of hollow profiled elements, and posts (3, 4, 5) in the form of hollow profiled elements, connecting the longitudinal members (1a, 1b) of the roof frame (1) to the longitudinal members (2a, 2b) on the side of the floor. The inventive carrier structure is characterised in that at least two opposing posts (3, 4, 5) of the member structure, especially the B, C or D posts, are embodied as double plates formed under internal high pressure and welded on the peripheral edge thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Floth, Axel Gruneklee, Bernhard Osburg, Lothar Patberg, Stefan Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20060249969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reinforced section for a vehicle supporting frame, said section connecting two pillars (8) of the vehicle supporting frame, in particular the C-pillars or D-pillars at their bases in the form of a transversal wall, whose ends, which are configured as pillar connection zones (6a, 7a), extend onto the pillars (8) by means of rounded corner reinforcements (6, 7). The invention is characterised in that the reinforced section and the corner reinforcements (6, 7) are configured as a one-piece double shell consisting of two blanks (10) produced in an internal high-pressure forming process and welded together around their periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Axel Grüneklee, Lothar Patberg, Ernst Weckenmann
  • Patent number: 7052072
    Abstract: In order to attach a seal on an aperture rim of a motor vehicle body in the space-frame design, wherein said aperture rim is edged by a profile frame and is closable by means of a door or flap, for the purpose of minimising the installation effort as well as the weight, the invention provides for a profile seal (13a, 14a) comprising a lip (13a, 14a) to be jammed between the profile frame (1) and a cover panel (11) which edges the outside of the profile frame (1) and is attached to said profile frame (1), wherein said seal is supported at the rear by the profile frame (1), which is profiled accordingly, so that the closing force which is exerted on said profile seal (13, 14) by the door (T1, T2) or flap can be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20060029462
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional joint structure of a support frame for vehicles and a method for its manufacture. In this case, the joint structure comprises two hollow profiles (1, 2), of which the first hollow profile (1) has at least one planar side and is cut through around its circumference except for a web (1c) lying in this planar side and is bent around this web (1c). The second hollow profile (2) has at least two planar sides and these press against the ends (1a, 1b) of the first hollow profile (1) resulting from the cutting and bending. The two hollow profiles (1, 2) are integrally joined to one another at the edge regions (1d, 1e, 1f) of the ends (1a, 1b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20060001285
    Abstract: The invention relates to a y-shaped gusset structure of a support frame for vehicles as well as a method for its production. The gusset structure comprises two hollow sections (1, 2), of which the first hollow section (1) comprises at least one flat side and along its circumference has been cut through except for a web (1c) situated in the flat side, and has been bent open around this web (1c). The face of the second hollow section (2) has been inserted into the facing ends 1a, 1b) of the first hollow section (1), which facing ends (1a, 1b) have been created by the process of cutting and bending open, wherein the edge regions (1e) of said ends (1a, 1b) are integrally connected with the first hollow section (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20050151394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support structure for vehicles, made from a longitudinal member (1) comprising at least two interconnected hollow sections (10, 11). One of the hollow sections continues in the direction of the bumper (5). In the case of a crash with low-speed impact, there is a targeted deformation of the single hollow section (10c) which makes it possible to carry out repairs economically. In the case of a higher-speed impact, the more rigid support structure of the double hollow section for protecting passengers comes into play. Since in this design the impact absorber, which is usually arranged between the longitudinal member and the bumper, can be done without, there is also a reduction in the number of components required, and thus in the overall weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Axel Grueneklee, Lothar Patberg, Dariush Philipp
  • Publication number: 20050093333
    Abstract: According to the invention, a blank intended for the production of a sheet panel (11) for a bodywork part of automotive bodywork by cold forming has two deformation sections (2, 4), which consist of highly ductile sheet metal and in the course of cold forming are subjected to a high degree of deformation, and a support section (3), which is arranged between the two deformation sections (2,4) and is formed from a rigid material, which is subjected in the course of cold forming only to a small degree of deformation and after forming of the blank (1) provides the side crash support of the respective bodywork part. In particular motor vehicle doors (6) can be made from such a blank (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventor: Lothar Patberg
  • Publication number: 20050034306
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sectionally reinforced member made of a tubular hollow profile (1) made of metal. For sectional reinforcement of the hollow profile (1), a sleeve (3) made of metal is slid onto the hollow profile (1) and on the entire area of the section to be reinforced is bonded with bonding agent (2), so that the wall of the tubular hollow section (1) and the sleeve (3) as a result of the bonding agent (2) form a bond. In order to facilitate sliding the sleeve (3) onto the hollow profile (1), the sleeve (3) is enlarged by heating, and/or the external dimensions of the hollow section (1) are reduced by cooling. Forming the hollow section (1) comprising the sleeve (3) into a member takes place prior to a finishing additional treatment step for the purpose of curing the bonding agent (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Lothar Patberg, Uwe Kneiphoff
  • Publication number: 20050012362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a longitudinal girder used as part of a load bearing structure of a motor vehicle. In order to optimize the flexural strength, load bearing capacity and crash behavior of a longitudinal girder within a given construction area, the inventive longitudinal girder consists of two hollow profiles (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b) which are disposed at a height/width ratio of approximately 1 and which are connected to each other on both ends thereof (5, 6, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b) in a dimensionally stable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Lothar Patberg, Dariush Philipp