Patents by Inventor Marco Nickel

Marco Nickel 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: 10150259
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a bumper structure. A blank made out of fiber-reinforced composite material is deep drawn in a molding tool to form a bumper cross member having a first groove. A first rib structure is molded in the first groove onto the bumper cross member in the molding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
  • Patent number: 9919669
    Abstract: A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Martin Likar
  • Patent number: 9873404
    Abstract: A support structure for supporting panel components of a vehicle includes a deformable member with fastening points for connecting the support structure to the panel components, and one or more support members that are connected to the deformable member each with a free end. The support members can be fastened to one or more cross members of a body of the vehicle. The support structure can be used with a panel arrangement including one or more panel components for covering a portion of the vehicle. An intermediate member may be arranged between the panel components and the support structure, which during the shifting of the panel components in the direction of the support structure, interacts with the panel components and the support structure and thereby deforms the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Martin Likar
  • Patent number: 9849851
    Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Martin Likar
  • Publication number: 20170157863
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a bumper structure. A blank made out of fiber-reinforced composite material is deep drawn in a molding tool to form a bumper cross member having a first groove. A first rib structure is molded in the first groove onto the bumper cross member in the molding tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco NICKEL, Theobald HOCK
  • Patent number: 9610911
    Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
  • Patent number: 9604586
    Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes an insert of fiber-reinforced composite material and reinforcing structures molded onto the insert. A first groove is formed onto the insert, and the reinforcing structures include ribs formed in the first groove. The ribs extend inclined in relation to a longitudinal direction of the groove from one lateral wall of the groove to the other. The insert is further formed into a second groove, which are open toward opposing sides of the insert. The first and second grooves share a lateral wall. An outer bumper skin is supported by the bumper cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
  • Publication number: 20160325709
    Abstract: A support structure for supporting panel components of a vehicle includes a deformable member with fastening points for connecting the support structure to the panel components, and one or more support members that are connected to the deformable member each with a free end, The support members can be fastened to one or more cross members of a body of the vehicle. The support structure can be used with a panel arrangement including one or more panel components for covering a portion of the vehicle. An intermediate member may he arranged between the panel components and the support structure, which during the shifting of the panel components in the direction of the support structure, interacts with the panel components and the support structure and thereby deforms the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco NICKEL, Martin LIKAR
  • Patent number: 9487173
    Abstract: A hood sensor assembly of a motor vehicle includes a molding for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor. The molding includes an absorption area for absorbing an impact force and a transmission section for transmitting at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor. An elastically movable material section provides a restoring force against which the molding can be arranged in its installation position (E). The hood sensor is supported within the molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Eduard Goebel
  • Publication number: 20160288750
    Abstract: A front section of a motor vehicle includes a bumper shell, a bumper cross member and a shock sensor arranged at various locations inside a central intermediate space between the bumper shell and the bumper cross member. The bumper shell extends beyond the ends of the bumper cross member in the direction transverse to the vehicle. Extensions are attached to the ends of the bumper cross member, and the shock sensor is also distributed in various locations in peripheral intermediate spaces between the extensions and the bumper shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco NICKEL, Martin LIKAR
  • Publication number: 20160288749
    Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle includes a bumper cladding and a bumper stiffening which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the bumper cladding and a supporting body part. A connecting unit including a blind nut and a threaded fastener is inserted from below into an opening of the body part to fix a rear edge region of the bumper stiffening on an underside of the body part. The blind nut has flexible legs which are reversibly splayed apart above the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco NICKEL, Martin LIKAR
  • Publication number: 20160121828
    Abstract: A bumper stiffener includes at least one rib projecting from a first major face of the plate and extending in the direction of an impact to be absorbed by the shock absorber stiffener. The compressive strength in longitudinal direction of the rib is higher at its ends than in its middle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco NICKEL, Theobald HOCK
  • Patent number: 9290141
    Abstract: A bumper support for a motor vehicle with a stiffening structure and at least two connections for connecting the bumper support on the one hand to a bumper and on the other hand to a vehicle body is provided. The bumper support comprises at least one extension structure arranged in the region of at least one of the connections and serving as energy absorber, which is connected to the stiffening structure in a materially joined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
  • Publication number: 20160001722
    Abstract: A bumper cross member for a motor vehicle includes an insert of fiber-reinforced composite material and reinforcing structures molded onto the insert. A first groove is formed onto the insert, and the reinforcing structures include ribs formed in the first groove. The ribs extend inclined in relation to a longitudinal direction of the groove from one lateral wall of the groove to the other. The insert is further formed into a second groove, which are open toward opposing sides of the insert. The first and second grooves share a lateral wall. An outer bumper skin is supported by the bumper cross member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco NICKEL, Theobald HOCK
  • Patent number: 9132793
    Abstract: A front end for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a bumper covering and a support extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the bumper covering and a supporting body component. The support has a buckling load which is less than the loading capacity of a connection of the support with the supporting body component and is able to elastically buckle in a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Matthias Erzgraeber, Theobald Hock
  • Publication number: 20150137540
    Abstract: A bumper support for a motor vehicle with a stiffening structure and at least two connections for connecting the bumper support on the one hand to a bumper and on the other hand to a vehicle body is provided. The bumper support comprises at least one expansion structure arranged in the region of at least one of the connections and serving as energy absorber, which is connected to the stiffening structure in a materially joined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Theobald Hock
  • Publication number: 20150114746
    Abstract: A hood sensor assembly of a motor vehicle includes a molding for transmitting an impact force to a hood sensor. The molding includes an absorption area for absorbing an impact force and a transmission section for transmitting at least a portion of the impact force to a hood sensor. An elastically movable material section provides a restoring force against which the molding can be arranged in its installation position (E). The hood sensor is supported within the molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Eduard Goebel
  • Publication number: 20140217758
    Abstract: A front end for a motor vehicle is disclosed which includes a bumper covering and a support extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the bumper covering and a supporting body component. The support has a buckling load which is less than the loading capacity of a connection of the support with the supporting body component and is able to elastically buckle in a collision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Marco Nickel, Matthias Erzgraeber, Theobald Hock