Patents by Inventor Matthias Zierle

Matthias Zierle 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: 7954883
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformation element is provided for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the deformation element in the mounted state is arranged in a collision region between a covering part and a vehicle body, and more particularly, between a headliner and a vehicle roof. The deformation element has an essentially U-shaped profile, on free end regions of which is disposed a flange at least in certain regions. A plurality of cutouts or recesses are provided in the flanges on each free end region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Olaf Benkler, Markus Osswald, Matthias Zierle
  • Patent number: 7607708
    Abstract: An adapter device for a grab handle has a deformation element with at least two end regions. The end regions of the deformation element are connected to each other by at least one web and each have at least one fastening element for the grab handle. The deformation element is configured in such a manner that, in a first loading situation (normal use situation), it is supported by the retaining element and, in a second loading situation (crash situation), it is deformed in the region of the at least one web. The grab handle can thus be mounted in an extremely stable manner with regard to loading in a pulling direction, i.e. in the normal use situation, without the energy-absorbing deformation properties of the adapter device being adversely affected in the crash situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Olaf Benkler, Markus Osswald, Matthias Zierle
  • Publication number: 20080265622
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing deformation element is provided for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, wherein the deformation element in the mounted state is arranged in a collision region between a covering part and a vehicle body, and more particularly, between a headliner and a vehicle roof. The deformation element has an essentially U-shaped profile, on free end regions of which is disposed a flange at least in certain regions. A plurality of cutouts or recesses are provided in the flanges on each free end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Dr.Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Olaf BENKLER, Markus Osswald, Matthias Zierle
  • Patent number: 7404579
    Abstract: An arrangement for step-by-step height adjustment of a holding or deflecting fitting of a seat belt on a hollow body part of a motor vehicle, particularly on a B-column or a C-column, includes a guide rail mounted on the body part, and a carriage which can be displaced along the guide rail, which can be fixed in defined adjusting positions, and which has a fastening device for the holding or deflecting fitting. The guide rail, which is arranged behind a column covering, is mountable on the vehicle body part by way of two mutually spaced fastenings. In the event of a vehicle collision, particularly a side impact, the forces acting upon a vehicle occupant's head are to be kept below a permissible limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.f. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Zierle, Juergen Ohnmacht, Markus Osswald
  • Publication number: 20080111389
    Abstract: An adapter device for a grab handle has a deformation element with at least two end regions. The end regions of the deformation element are connected to each other by at least one web and each have at least one fastening element for the grab handle. The deformation element is configured in such a manner that, in a first loading situation (normal use situation), it is supported by the retaining element and, in a second loading situation (crash situation), it is deformed in the region of the at least one web. The grab handle can thus be mounted in an extremely stable manner with regard to loading in a pulling direction, i.e. in the normal use situation, without the energy-absorbing deformation properties of the adapter device being adversely affected in the crash situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AG
    Inventors: Olaf Benkler, Markus Osswald, Matthias Zierle
  • Patent number: 7334816
    Abstract: A knee protection device for a motor vehicle, is arranged in the area of a control panel and comprises a knee impact wall having a foam material pad, which knee impact wall extends adjacent to knees of vehicle occupants. The knee impact wall has an inner shell and an outer shell which bound a cavity accommodating the foam material pad and are assembled at connection zones as well as mutually connected by suitable measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Zierle, Martin Frank, Guido Horsch
  • Patent number: 7229124
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body shell element, an interior-covering part for the body shell element, an energy-absorbing deformation element arranged between the body shell element and the interior covering part, and a deformable supporting element connecting the interior-covering part to the body shell element. The deformation element is constructed as a sheet metal part in the shape of an elongated hollow profile, and includes at least one fastening leg and at least one deformation leg. The fastening leg is connected with the interior-covering part. The deformation leg starts out from the fastening leg and faces the body shell element. The deformation characteristics of the deformable supporting element are designed in consideration of the deformation characteristics of the deformation element. The deformation leg is arranged at a distance from the body shell element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Luik, Werner Maier, Matthias Zierle
  • Publication number: 20060012220
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a body shell element, an interior-covering part for the body shell element, an energy-absorbing deformation element arranged between the body shell element and the interior covering part, and a deformable supporting element connecting the interior-covering part to the body shell element. The deformation element is constructed as a sheet metal part in the shape of an elongated hollow profile, and includes at least one fastening leg and at least one deformation leg. The fastening leg is connected with the interior-covering part. The deformation leg starts out from the fastening leg and faces the body shell element. The deformation characteristics of the deformable supporting element are designed in consideration of the deformation characteristics of the deformation element. The deformation leg is arranged at a distance from the body shell element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Klaus Luik, Werner Maier, Matthias Zierle
  • Publication number: 20050200110
    Abstract: A knee protection device for a motor vehicle, is arranged in the area of a control panel and comprises a knee impact wall having a foam material pad, which knee impact wall extends adjacent to knees of vehicle occupants. The knee impact wall has an inner shell and an outer shell which bound a cavity accommodating the foam material pad and are assembled at connection zones as well as mutually connected by suitable measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Zierle, Martin Frank, Guido Horsch
  • Publication number: 20050189758
    Abstract: An arrangement for step-by-step height adjustment of a holding or deflecting fitting of a seat belt on a hollow body part of a motor vehicle, particularly on a B-column or a C-column, includes a guide rail mounted on the body part, and a carriage which can be displaced along the guide rail, which can be fixed in defined adjusting positions, and which has a fastening device for the holding or deflecting fitting. The guide rail, which is arranged behind a column covering, is mountable on the vehicle body part by way of two mutually spaced fastenings. In the event of a vehicle collision, particularly a side impact, the forces acting upon a vehicle occupant's head are to be kept below a permissible limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Matthias Zierle, Juergen Ohnmacht, Markus Osswald
  • Patent number: 6866294
    Abstract: A knee support is arranged inside a body of the motor vehicle and exhibits a transverse frame member, which extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, is held at rigid, lateral body structures, and is provided with at least one deformation element. This deformation element comprises several hollow brackets, defined by bracket walls, and is covered by a support wall, facing the occupants' knees. The deformation element exhibits a first hollow bracket segment, which runs along the support wall, and a second additional hollow bracket segment, which is arranged at an angle to the first hollow bracket segment, whereby the second hollow bracket segment is attached to the transverse frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Guido Horsch, Rolf Remensperger, Matthias Zierle, Martin Frank
  • Patent number: 6830277
    Abstract: An arrangement for holding beverage cans or similar receptacles in the interior of vehicles is provided inside, in the upper area of a glove compartment, and comprises at least one receiving part for at least one beverage can. The receiving part is displaceable from a covered inoperative position inside the glove compartment into an operative position in front of the dashboard, and a swivellably disposed glove compartment cover is assigned to the glove compartment. When the receiving part is displaced into the operative position, the arrangement does not require the opening of the glove compartment cover. The glove compartment cover extends only approximately to the lower edge of the arrangement, and the arrangement comprises at least one separate flap which has a low height and can be operated separately from the glove compartment cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Matthias Zierle, Martin Frank
  • Publication number: 20030075945
    Abstract: An arrangement for holding beverage cans or similar receptacles in the interior of vehicles is provided inside, in the upper area of a glove compartment, and comprises at least one receiving part for at least one beverage can. The receiving part is displaceable from a covered inoperative position inside the glove compartment into an operative position in front of the dashboard, and a swivellably disposed glove compartment cover is assigned to the glove compartment. When the receiving part is displaced into the operative position, the arrangement does not require the opening of the glove compartment cover. The glove compartment cover extends only approximately to the lower edge of the arrangement, and the arrangement comprises at least one separate flap which has a low height and can be operated separately from the glove compartment cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Matthias Zierle, Martin Frank
  • Publication number: 20030057692
    Abstract: A knee support is arranged inside a body of the motor vehicle and exhibits a transverse frame member, which extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, is held at rigid, lateral body structures, and is provided with at least one deformation element. This deformation element comprises several hollow brackets, defined by bracket walls, and is covered by a support wall, facing the occupants' knees. The deformation element exhibits a first hollow bracket segment, which runs along the support wall, and a second additional hollow bracket segment, which is arranged at an angle to the first hollow bracket segment, whereby the second hollow bracket segment is attached to the transverse frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Dr. Ing h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guido Horsch, Rolf Remensperger, Matthias Zierle, Martin Frank
  • Patent number: 6343831
    Abstract: A passenger car has at least one large-surface movable roof part which is guided on elongated guide rails arranged laterally of a roof opening. The guide rails extend adjacent to laterally exterior roof members, and the roof members as well as the guide rails are covered by a covering in the direction of the vehicle occupant compartment. In the event of a lateral impact of a vehicle occupant's head, the risk of injury is significantly reduced by the provision of a covering assigned at least in areas to an intermediately disposed deformation element which can be fixed in the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche
    Inventors: Bernd Nabert, Erwin Lutz, Matthias Zierle, Frank Diehm