Patents by Inventor Michael Grätz

Michael Grätz 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).

  • Derailleur hanger with insertion aid
    Patent number: 8491427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a derailleur hanger for a bicycle having an insertion aid for inserting the wheel hub between the dropouts of a fork or frame. A derailleur hanger (10) for a bicycle according to the invention having, on a first dropout (1) and/or on a second dropout (2), first and second recesses (3, 4), respectively, for receiving the corresponding ends (31, 32) of a wheel hub (30) is characterized in that the derailleur hanger (10) is configured such that the shape of a lateral surface (5) of the recess (4) is substantially steadily continued by a first guide surface (12) of the derailleur hanger (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Grätz
  • Thru-axle system for wheel securement
    Patent number: 7946659
    Abstract: A thru-axle system installs a wheel on a hub disposed between a pair of dropouts of a frame or fork. An axle (10) extends between dropouts and supports a wheel on a hub (60). The axle has a first end with at least one radially protruding shoulder (12). The second end has a thread (16) for engaing a threaded sleeve (5). A bushing (20) between the radially protruding shoulder (12) and the other dropout has a central bore with first and second inner diameters. Its first inner diameter is large enough to admit the radially protruding shoulder and the second diameter is large enough to admit the axle portion of the axle. The bushing (20) has an external tapered surface (22) facing the other dropout for transmitting an axial force acting on the shoulder to the bushing and from the bushing to the first dropout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Liteville, GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Grätz
  • DERAILLEUR HANGER WITH INSERTION AID
    Publication number: 20100137082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a derailleur hanger for a bicycle having an insertion aid for inserting the wheel hub between the dropouts of a fork or frame. A derailleur hanger (10) for a bicycle according to the invention having, on a first dropout (1) and/or on a second dropout (2), first and second recesses (3, 4), respectively, for receiving the corresponding ends (31, 32) of a wheel hub (30) is characterized in that the derailleur hanger (10) is configured such that the shape of a lateral surface (5) of the recess (4) is substantially steadily continued by a first guide surface (12) of the derailleur hanger (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Grätz
  • Clamping grip, especially for handlebars of bicycles and the like
    Patent number: 6421879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping grip with a sleeve particularly for use on bicycle handlebars or other similar contrivances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Grätz, Jo Klieber