Patents by Inventor Manfred Hofmann

Manfred Hofmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20240117825
    Abstract: An assembly for a fluid-filled piston-cylinder unit comprises a main body having an assembly longitudinal axis (24), a valve unit integrated in the main body and having an overflow channel, which valve unit seals the overflow channel when the assembly is moved along the assembly longitudinal axis in a first direction and releases the overflow channel, in dependence on the fluid pressure, when the assembly is moved along the assembly longitudinal axis in a second direction. Furthermore, the assembly comprises an outer seal element that is arranged on the main body so as to be moved along the assembly longitudinal axis, for abutting in a sealing manner against an inner surface of the housing, and at least one undercut element formed on the main body for engaging in an interlocking manner behind a mating element of the piston-cylinder unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ludwig FELLNER, Manfred HOFMANN, Roland LÖSCHER, Florian STEPHAN, Wolfgang NAGL, Victor LIMPERT
  • Patent number: 11125297
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a flap assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, two mounting spots spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis, an energy storage unit acting along the longitudinal axis and a friction damping unit acting serially in relation to the energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SUSPA GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20200063816
    Abstract: An adjustment device for a flap assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, two mounting spots spaced from one another along the longitudinal axis, an energy storage unit acting along the longitudinal axis and a friction damping unit acting serially in relation to the energy storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Manfred HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 10557559
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator, including an armature movable along a longitudinal axis in an armature chamber, a solenoid coil extending around the longitudinal axis for generating a magnetic field for moving the armature, an actuating element coupled to the movements of the armature, and a flux washer body which is situated at an axial end of the solenoid coil and has a recess extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis in which the actuating element is displaceably mounted. It is provided that the flux washer body has a two-piece design and includes a base body made of sintered soft magnetic material, which faces the solenoid coil and in which the recess for the actuating element is situated, and a metal washer pressed onto an end of the base body facing away from the solenoid coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Girish Pandurangi, Guy Edward Michalski, Jose Jasson Flores Arellano
  • Publication number: 20180156348
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator, including an armature movable along a longitudinal axis in an armature chamber, a solenoid coil extending around the longitudinal axis for generating a magnetic field for moving the armature, an actuating element coupled to the movements of the armature, and a flux washer body which is situated at an axial end of the solenoid coil and has a recess extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis in which the actuating element is displaceably mounted. It is provided that the flux washer body has a two-piece design and includes a base body made of sintered soft magnetic material, which faces the solenoid coil and in which the recess for the actuating element is situated, and a metal washer pressed onto an end of the base body facing away from the solenoid coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Girish Pandurangi, Guy Edward Michalski, Jose Jasson Flores Arellano
  • Patent number: 9309943
    Abstract: A pendulum support is particularly suited for supporting an engine unit. The support has two mutually spaced-apart fixing elements for connecting two bodies that can be displaced in relation to one another. The fixing elements are elastically interconnected. The object is to provide a pendulum support with a high degree of deflection that is cost-effective to produce. The base body has two base body elements, which are interconnected by at least one elastic shear element. At least one of the base body elements is formed with a cavity, wherein one area of the other base body element is contained with a degree of deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Trelleborg Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Arndt Graeve, Manfred Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8690256
    Abstract: A seat cushion having a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements in particular for utilization in vehicle seats. The fastening element has a plate-shaped retainer element foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein the fastening element has at least one counter-retainer that is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein a stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner, wherein the counter-retainer is implemented in the type of a fastening web, the two ends thereof being connected to the plate-shaped retainer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: F. S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Günter Meckelmann
  • Patent number: 8398174
    Abstract: A seat cushion has a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements, in particular for utilization in vehicle seats, wherein the fastening element is formed by a flat retainer element having a fastening web connected thereto and serving as a counter-retainer. The retainer element is foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, wherein the counter-retainer is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion. A stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can thus be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: F. S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8348250
    Abstract: A pneumatically damping mount, in particular an engine mount for motor vehicles, includes a bearing spring of elastomeric material for supporting a mount core and delimiting a working chamber. The working chamber is filled with a gas, in particular air, and communicates with the ambient atmosphere through a nozzle opening. A progression element of elastomeric material is disposed opposite the bearing spring and delimits the working chamber together with the bearing spring, to enable further deformation of the mount after closing of the working chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Trelleborg Automotive Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Arndt Graeve
  • Patent number: 8342607
    Abstract: A seat cushion for the production of a vehicle seat has a foam body and a carrier element. The carrier element is disposed on the back side of the foam body and provides mechanical support to the foam body on the back side thereof. At least one bubble element is disposed between the foam body and the carrier element and can be supplied with compressed air via an air inlet. The carrier element features an air-impermeable barrier layer on the side facing towards the foam body. The bubble element is composed of two bubble halves that are connected to one another by means of an airtight sealing joint, and wherein the bubble half facing away from the foam body is formed by a surface section of the barrier layer of the carrier element, and wherein the second bubble half facing towards the foam body is fastened at the assigned surface section of the barrier layer while forming the airtight sealing joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: F.S. Fehrer Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Günter Meckelmann
  • Patent number: 8093984
    Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing, a main contact point having an arc quenching chamber, an input terminal, an output terminal, an impact-style armature system configured to move the main contact point to an open position, a latching mechanism having a latching point and configured to open an isolating contact point disposed in a secondary current path parallel to a main current path, a main thermostatic bimetallic strip configured to act on the latching point to as to cause the main contact point to remain in the open position, a current limiting resistor disposed in the secondary current path, a selective thermostatic bimetallic strip disposed in the secondary current path and configured to act on the latching mechanism, a handle configured to act on the latching mechanism so as to open and close the main contact point, and a phase connecting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Wolfgang Pump, Ralf Wieland, Albert Stieger, Joachim Majewski, Roland Ritz, Klaus-Peter Eppe, Erwin Muders, Joachim Becker, Rainer Ludovici, Heinz-Erich Popa, Wolfgang Suess
  • Publication number: 20110084539
    Abstract: A seat cushion for the production of a vehicle seat has a foam body and a carrier element. The carrier element is disposed on the back side of the foam body and provides mechanical support to the foam body on the back side thereof. At least one bubble element is disposed between the foam body and the carrier element and can be supplied with compressed air via an air inlet. The carrier element features an air-impermeable barrier layer on the side facing towards the foam body. The bubble element is composed of two bubble halves that are connected to one another by means of an airtight sealing joint, and wherein the bubble half facing away from the foam body is formed by a surface section of the barrier layer of the carrier element, and wherein the second bubble half facing towards the foam body is fastened at the assigned surface section of the barrier layer while forming the airtight sealing joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Günter Meckelmann
  • Publication number: 20110080033
    Abstract: A seat cushion having a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements in particular for utilization in vehicle seats. The fastening element has a plate-shaped retainer element foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein the fastening element has at least one counter-retainer that is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion, and wherein a stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner, wherein the counter-retainer is implemented in the type of a fastening web, the two ends thereof being connected to the plate-shaped retainer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Günter Meckelmann
  • Publication number: 20110080032
    Abstract: A seat cushion has a plurality of foamed-in fastening elements, in particular for utilization in vehicle seats, wherein the fastening element is formed by a flat retainer element having a fastening web connected thereto and serving as a counter-retainer. The retainer element is foamed into the foam body of the seat cushion, wherein the counter-retainer is not covered by the foam body of the seat cushion. A stitching wire fastened at the cushion cover can thus be connected to the counter-retainer in a load-transmitting manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Manfred Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20100127816
    Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing, a main contact point having an arc quenching chamber, an input terminal, an output terminal, an impact-style armature system configured to move the main contact point to an open position, a latching mechanism having a latching point and configured to open an isolating contact point disposed in a secondary current path parallel to a main current path, a main thermostatic bimetallic strip configured to act on the latching point to as to cause the main contact point to remain in the open position, a current limiting resistor disposed in the secondary current path, a selective thermostatic bimetallic strip disposed in the secondary current path and configured to act on the latching mechanism, a handle configured to act on the latching mechanism so as to open and close the main contact point, and a phase connecting rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Wolfgang Pump, Ralf Wieland, Albert Stieger, Joachim Majewski, Roland Ritz, Klaus-Peter Eppe, Erwin Muders, Joachim Becker, Rainer Ludovici, Heinz-Erich Popa, Wolfgang Suess
  • Patent number: 7708101
    Abstract: A seat for a motor vehicle is provided with an occupant detector (02) for recognizing the occupancy status of the seat (01). A foamed cushion element (05), into which the occupant detector (02) is foamed, is provided as part of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: F.S. FEHRER Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20100025902
    Abstract: A pneumatically damping mount, in particular an engine mount for motor vehicles, includes a bearing spring of elastomeric material for supporting a mount core and delimiting a working chamber. The working chamber is filled with a gas, in particular air, and communicates with the ambient atmosphere through a nozzle opening. A progression element of elastomeric material is disposed opposite the bearing spring and delimits the working chamber together with the bearing spring, to enable further deformation of the mount after closing of the working chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: TRELLEBORG AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Arndt Graeve
  • Publication number: 20100025901
    Abstract: An attenuating unit bearing, particularly an engine mount for a motor vehicle has a support spring, which limits a working chamber filled with a working medium. In order to achieve a high temperature resistance at a low rate initial load, the support spring is made of a fiber composite. The matrix material of the fiber composite is a thermoplastic synthetic fiber having a high thermal stability, which can be made ready to process by deep drawing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: TRELLEBORG AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL CENTRE GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Arndt Graeve
  • Patent number: 7445234
    Abstract: A foamed body (03) for the production of a seat of an automobile (01) has at least one airbag module (07), which is integrated into the lateral area of the seat (01). The airbag module (07) includes an expandable airbag (09) and a gas generator (08). The seat (01) has at least one normally closed exit opening (12), through which the airbag (09) can be expanded. The foamed body (03) has a cavity (06), and/or a recess, in which the non-expanded airbag (09) can be at least partially received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: F.S. Fehrer Automotive Foam GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Hofmann
  • Patent number: D921885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: LOHMANN-KOESTER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Robert Neugebauer, Manfred Hofmann, Xing Huang, Ivica Kolic