Patents by Inventor Mario Lehmann

Mario Lehmann 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: 11919248
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: IKEA Supply AG, WoodWelding SA
    Inventors: Muthumariappan Sankaran, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
  • Patent number: 11904551
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani, Muthumariappan Sankaran, Joakim Kvist
  • Publication number: 20230321922
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani, Muthumariappan Sankaran, Joakim Kvist
  • Publication number: 20230320719
    Abstract: A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Elmar Mock, Andrea Müller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl
  • Publication number: 20230250840
    Abstract: A tool presses a joining element against a first object into a first opening of the first object while mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the first object and the joining element. Vibration energy and pressing force make the thermoplastic material of the distal portion of the joining element flowable and interpenetrates structures of the first object to yield, after re-solidification, an anchoring of the distal portion of the joining element in the first object. The second object is placed so that a proximal portion of the joining element is inserted into a second opening, and the first and second objects are pressed against each other while mechanical vibration energy is coupled into one of the first and second objects, until thermoplastic material of the joining element proximal portion is made flowable and interpenetrates structures of the second object to yield, after re-solidification, an anchoring in the second object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Laurent Torriani, Mario Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20230241818
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing and assembling a first and a second object wherein the first object is made by bringing a flowable compound into a first object shape and then subjecting the flowable compound to a hardening process that results in a change of a chemical composition of the flowable compound, thereby creating the first object or a part thereof. Then, the first object is positioned relative to a second object, and a flow portion of the hardened article of the modified compound is caused to become flowable by an input of energy. An interpenetration zone of the flow portion and structures of the second object is created, and the flow portion is allowed to re-solidify, whereby the interpenetration zone between the re-solidified flow portion and the structures of the second object secures the first and second objects to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Mario Lehmann, Jörg Mayer, Anna Forshufvud
  • Publication number: 20230234300
    Abstract: A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on one of the objects in an opening provided on the other one of the objects. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. Before such liquefaction and interpenetration, an interference fit is established in which such opposite surfaces are pressed against each other, and, for the anchoring, mechanical vibration energy and possibly a shearing force are applied, wherein the shearing force puts a shear stress on the interference fit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
  • Patent number: 11707894
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani, Muthumariappan Sankaran, Joakim Kvist
  • Patent number: 11701102
    Abstract: A suture anchor retaining a suture is fixated in hard tissue, in particular in bone tissue, using any per se known method and is then secured using a securing element including a material having thermoplastic properties, which is liquefied in situ and made to penetrate the hard tissue in which the suture anchor is fixated. The securing element is e.g. a thermoplastic plug or thermoplastic sleeve which is anchored above the suture anchor in a mouth area of the same hard tissue opening. Alternatively the securing element is a thermoplastic pin which is introduced into an inner cavity of the suture anchor, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefied in this cavity and, in a liquid state is pressed through passages connecting the cavity with outer surfaces of the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SPORTWELDING GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Elmar Mock, Andrea Muller, Mario Lehmann, Stephanie Goebel-Mehl
  • Patent number: 11642856
    Abstract: A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on one of the objects in an opening provided on the other one of the objects. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. Before such liquefaction and interpenetration, an interference fit is established in which such opposite surfaces are pressed against each other, and, for the anchoring, mechanical vibration energy and possibly a shearing force are applied, wherein the shearing force puts a shear stress on the interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: WOODWELDING AG, INTER IKEA SYSTEMS B.V.
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
  • Publication number: 20230097285
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Muthumariappan SANKARAN, Mario LEHMANN, Laurent TORRIANI
  • Patent number: 11548233
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: IKEA SUPPLY AG, WOODWELDING SA
    Inventors: Muthumariappan Sankaran, Mario Lehmann, Laurent Torriani
  • Publication number: 20230001647
    Abstract: A method of fastening a second object to a fiber composite part including a structure of fibers embedded in a matrix material includes: providing the fiber composite part including an attachment surface, with a portion of the structure of fibers being exposed at the attachment surface; providing the second object; placing the second object relative to the fiber composite part, with a resin in a flowable state between the attachment surface and the connector; pressing the second object and the fiber composite part against each other and causing mechanical vibration to act on the second object or the fiber composite part or both, thereby causing the resin to infiltrate the exposed structure of fibers and activating the resin to cross-link; whereby the resin, after cross-linking, secures the second object to the fiber composite part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Patricia Poschner, Joakim Kvist, Mario Lehmann, Patrick Mooser
  • Patent number: 11472125
    Abstract: A method for joining two objects by anchoring an insert portion provided on a first object in an opening provided on a second object. The anchorage is achieved by liquefaction of a thermoplastic material and interpenetration of the liquefied material and a penetrable material, the two materials being arranged on opposite surfaces of the insert portion and the wall of the opening. During the step of inserting the insert portion in the opening and/or during anchorage a clamping force is applied to opposing surfaces of the second object to prevent the second object from cracking or bulging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignees: WOODWELDING AG, IKEA SUPPLY AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Håkan Käll, Muthumariappan Sankaran
  • Patent number: 11472124
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector in a first object, wherein the first object is a lightweight building element having a first outer building layer and an interlining layer, and wherein the connector includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes: bringing a coupling surface portion of the connector into contact with an attachment location of the first outer building layer; displacing a portion of the first outer building layer at the attachment location with respect to the interlining layer by applying a first pressing force to the first outer building layer and thereby piercing the first outer building layer; applying a second pressing force to the connector and transferring energy to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material has liquefied and flown to interpenetrate structures of the interlining layer; and stopping the energy transfer and allowing the flow portion to re-solidify.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: MULTIMATERIAL-WELDING AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Joakim Kvist, Patricia Poschner, Patrick Mooser
  • Patent number: 11453174
    Abstract: A method of fastening a second object to a fiber composite part including a structure of fibers embedded in a matrix material includes: providing the fiber composite part including an attachment surface, with a portion of the structure of fibers being exposed at the attachment surface; providing the second object; placing the second object relative to the fiber composite part, with a resin in a flowable state between the attachment surface and the connector; pressing the second object and the fiber composite part against each other and causing mechanical vibration to act on the second object or the fiber composite part or both, thereby causing the resin to infiltrate the exposed structure of fibers and activating the resin to cross-link; whereby the resin, after cross-linking, secures the second object to the fiber composite part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Patricia Poschner, Joakim Kvist, Mario Lehmann, Patrick Mooser
  • Patent number: 11358343
    Abstract: A method of bonding a first object to a second object, including the steps of: providing a profile body having a first profile body portion; providing the first object, wherein the first object has thermoplastic material; providing the second object, wherein the profile body is separate from and attachable to the second object or wherein the second object includes the profile body; embedding the profile body in the first object such that the first profile body portion is within the thermoplastic material of the first object. Embedding the profile body in the first object is caused by mechanical energy impinging on the first object and/or on the second object while the first object and the second object are pressed against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: MULTIMATERIAL-WELDING AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Mario Lehmann, Martin Rhême
  • Patent number: 11345096
    Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MULTIMATERIAL-WELDING AG
    Inventors: Jörg Mayer, Joakim Kvist, Mario Lehmann, Patricia Poschner
  • Patent number: 11259934
    Abstract: A spine stabilization device having an interbody spacer shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body of a lower vertebra. The device further includes a fixation device to be inserted after placement of the interbody spacer, the fixation device having a support portion securing the interbody spacer against escaping from between the vertebral bodies into a ventral direction. The support portion rests against a portion of an anterior surface of the interbody spacer, and includes an anchor. The anchor has an anchoring material portion that is inserted, in a liquid state, into cancellous bone tissue of at least one of the vertebral bodies of the upper and lower vertebra, to thereby infiltrate the cancellous bone tissue, and to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SPINEWELDING AG
    Inventors: Andrea Müller, Milica Berra, Marcel Aeschlimann, Mario Lehmann, Urs Weber, Jörg Mayer, Stephen Hochschuler, Hansen Yuan, Frank M. Phillips, Stephanie Mehl, Elmar Mock, Andreas Wenger, Philipp Seiler, Ulrich Berlemann
  • Patent number: 11241265
    Abstract: A perforated sheath is anchored in a tissue opening with the aid of a tool, wherein the anchorage is achieved with the aid of mechanical vibration and a material which is liquefiable by the vibration. The tool includes a vibrating element and a counter element. Distal portions of both elements are introduced into the sheath to be in contact with each other at an interface. The vibrating element is connected to a vibration source and the vibrating element and the counter element are held against each other for effecting liquefaction of the liquefiable material at the interface. Under the effect of the force applied to the vibrating and counter element for holding them against each other, the liquefied material flows from the interface through the sheath perforation and penetrates the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: WOODWELDING AG
    Inventors: Mario Lehmann, Andrea Muller, Urs Weber, Philipp Seiler