Patents by Inventor Matthias Helmstetter

Matthias Helmstetter 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: 11453429
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
  • Publication number: 20210387660
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions. At least one of the first and second rim portions is pivotable about a pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to at least one of the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots at least one of the first and second rim portions about the pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
  • Publication number: 20210323595
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about at least one pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one gear drive is rotatable relative to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Rotation of the gear drive causes each of the first and second rim portions to pivot about the at least one pivot axis between the steering and folded positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
  • Publication number: 20210323594
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about first and second pivot axes, respectively, between a steering position and a folded position. At least one linear actuator is connected to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Actuation of the linear actuator pivots the first and second rim portions about the first and second pivot axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
  • Patent number: 11148700
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a support member connectable to a vehicle steering column. A steering wheel has first and second rim portions that are pivotable about at least one pivot axis between a steering position and a folded position. At least one gear drive is rotatable relative to the support member and operably connected to the first and second rim portions. Rotation of the gear drive causes each of the first and second rim portions to pivot about the at least one pivot axis between the steering and folded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC., ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Jeff Harvey, Christopher Baucher, Marco Tumminello, Christopher Staab
  • Patent number: 10773673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable conduit device for connection cables of an airbag module, comprising at least one cable duct (10) that includes retaining means (11) for at least one cable (30), and at least one contact plug (20) to be connected to a coil spring on a steering column; the contact plug (20) is or can be coupled in a twist-proof manner to the cable duct (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Matthias Helmstetter, Dieter Rumpf, Alexandra Knecht
  • Patent number: 10272871
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, comprising an airbag, a gas generator (23) and a diffuser (10) with a dome section (11) and at least one retaining section which maintains the airbag in a compressed manner. Said retaining section comprises at least one securing opening in which at least one securing device, in particular a securing bolt, is received. Said securing opening (13) is arranged below the dome section (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Kienzner, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20180297544
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable conduit device for connection cables of an airbag module, comprising at least one cable duct (10) that includes retaining means (11) for at least one cable (30), and at least one contact plug (20) to be connected to a coil spring on a steering column; the contact plug (20) is or can be coupled in a twist-proof manner to the cable duct (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Matthias Helmstetter, Dieter Rumpf, Alexandra Knecht
  • Publication number: 20170369021
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for a safety system for vehicle passengers, comprising an airbag, a gas generator (23) and a diffuser (10) with a dome section (11) and at least one retaining section which maintains the airbag in a compressed manner. Said retaining section comprises at least one securing opening in which at least one securing device, in particular a securing bolt, is received. Said securing opening (13) is arranged below the dome section (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Kienzner, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 9365177
    Abstract: A method for series production of a vehicle assembly, especially an interior assembly, including a vehicle-side support, especially a vehicle steering wheel (12), and a component to be fastened at the support, especially a horn module (14), wherein a module-side bearing unit (22) consisting of at least two bearing members (46, 50) is assigned to the component and/or a support-side bearing unit (24) consisting of at least two bearing members (26, 28) is assigned to the support, and wherein one of the bearing members (28, 50) of the respective bearing unit (22, 24) has a contact surface (34, 58) and the other one of the bearing members (26, 46) has at least one bearing surface (38, 54) includes the step of individually orientating the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) of at least one bearing unit (22, 24) relative to each other as a function of the actual dimensions of the support installed and/or the component installed, fastening the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) orientated relative to each other, a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Ralph Frisch, Markus Haas, Matthias Helmstetter, Robert Mazuch, Erich Syndikus, Peter Schmid, Dominik Schutz, Rainer Winsel
  • Publication number: 20140203539
    Abstract: A method for series production of a vehicle assembly, especially an interior assembly, including a vehicle-side support, especially a vehicle steering wheel (12), and a component to be fastened at the support, especially a horn module (14), wherein a module-side bearing unit (22) consisting of at least two bearing members (46, 50) is assigned to the component and/or a support-side bearing unit (24) consisting of at least two bearing members (26, 28) is assigned to the support, and wherein one of the bearing members (28, 50) of the respective bearing unit (22, 24) has a contact surface (34, 58) and the other one of the bearing members (26, 46) has at least one bearing surface (38, 54) includes the step of individually orientating the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) of at least one bearing unit (22, 24) relative to each other as a function of the actual dimensions of the support installed and/or the component installed, fastening the two bearing members (26, 28, 46, 50) orientated relative to each other, a
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bachmann, Ralph Frisch, Markus Haas, Matthias Helmstetter, Robert Mazuch, Erich Syndikus, Peter Schmid, Dominik Schutz, Rainer Winsel
  • Patent number: 8210564
    Abstract: A vehicle interior decor element, in particular an air bag cover, comprising a front side (36) facing the vehicle interior and an opposite rear side (34), a cover (18) and a decorative element (20) which is provided at the cover (18), is visible from the front and is at least partly translucent. The decorative element (20) includes sections (24) between which the decorative element (20) has a gap (26) through which the cover (18) is accessible from the front side (36). The decorative element (20) extends with at least one portion (44) thereof towards the rear side (34) towards or into a cavity (42) which is formed in the cover (18) and in which an illuminant (50) for illuminating the decorative element (20) is accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Reinhard Schulze
  • Publication number: 20100123300
    Abstract: A vehicle interior decor element, in particular an air bag cover, comprising a front side (36) facing the vehicle interior and an opposite rear side (34), a cover (18) and a decorative element (20) which is provided at the cover (18), is visible from the front and is at least partly translucent. The decorative element (20) includes sections (24) between which the decorative element (20) has a gap (26) through which the cover (18) is accessible from the front side (36). The decorative element (20) extends with at least one portion (44) thereof towards the rear side (34) towards or into a cavity (42) which is formed in the cover (18) and in which an illuminant (50) for illuminating the decorative element (20) is accommodated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Reinhard Schulze
  • Patent number: 7648165
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a housing and a gas bag (12) accommodated in the housing. The gas bag has a gas bag wall (16). The gas bag module further includes a discharge arrangement (18) having an energetic element (22) for the selective provision of a discharge opening. The energetic element (22) is able to be activated by a control unit (20). The discharge opening is provided by material conversion of the energetic element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Keutz, Michael Deckenhoff, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: 7540530
    Abstract: A gas bag module (10) comprises a gas generator (16) and a generator carrier (12), to which the gas generator (16) is fastened and via which the gas generator (16) can be fastened directly or indirectly to a vehicle steering wheel (100). The generator carrier (12) consists at least partially of a multiple-component plastic (30, 32). There is further proposed a vehicle steering wheel (100) including such gas bag module (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Helmstetter
  • Publication number: 20090117398
    Abstract: A device, in particular a vehicle interior component, includes a base body (10) made of a first plastic material which is suitable for injection molding and for coating with chromium. The device furthermore includes at least one elastic partial body (16, 18) molded to the base body (10), which is made of a second plastic material which is suitable for injection molding, but not for coating with chromium. A method for manufacturing such a device with a base body (10) coated with chromium comprises the following steps: injection molding a base body (10) of the first plastic material; injection molding the partial body (16, 18) of the second plastic material to the base body (10); electroplating a chromium coating onto the base body (10), wherein the base body (10) passes through a chrome-plating bath together with the integrally molded partial body (16, 18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Werner Radde, Kurt Gebert
  • Publication number: 20070284861
    Abstract: A gas bag module adapted for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an inflatable gas bag and a discharge opening associated with the gas bag, so that gas can flow off from the gas bag which is fully or partially inflated. Further, the module comprises a discharge control element to control an opening cross-section of the discharge opening. The discharge control element contains a dilatant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Michael Lehmann, Marcus Magoley
  • Publication number: 20070262573
    Abstract: A steering device (10) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a gas bag (20) accommodated in the steering wheel (12). The steering wheel (12) is connected with a steering column (16) via a hub (14). The steering device (10) further includes a gas generator (22) which is able to be activated to fill the gas bag (20). The gas generator (22) is arranged on a side of the hub (14) facing away from the steering wheel (12) outside the steering column (16). The steering column (16) forms a part of a flow connection between the gas generator (22) and the gas bag (20) when the gas generator (22) is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Stefan Faeth, Matthias Helmstetter, Ralph Frisch, Toralf Mueller
  • Patent number: 7246816
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a motor vehicle steering wheel includes a gas bag (10), a gas generator (12) mounted so as to be capable of swinging, a generator carrier (16), means (18) for bracing the gas bag (10) on the generator carrier (16), and an elastically deformable, in relation to the central axis (A) of the gas bag module encircling sealing element (24). The sealing element (24) is fastened by its free edges directly or indirectly to the gas generator (12) and to the generator carrier (16), respectively. A section (26) of the sealing element (24), which is free before a filling of the gas bag (10), is deflected by the pressure occurring in the interior of the gas bag on filling of the gas bag (10), so that it comes directly or indirectly in abutment with a support surface (22; 28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Matthias Helmstetter
  • Patent number: D853290
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Guido Hirzmann, Marc Schledorn, Andreas Kurbos