Patents by Inventor Michael Langs

Michael Langs 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: 9988069
    Abstract: A steering column module includes a tubular jacket rotatably supporting a steering shaft, a switch module having a carrier including contact pressure surfaces, and a device for fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket. The device includes a clamp assembly between the tubular jacket and the switch module for exerting a clamping force on the tubular jacket. The clamp includes two half clamps each having two outwardly bent end flanges. The end flanges are axially movably accommodated in the carrier such that when the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket the end flanges come into contact with axial end stops of the tubular jacket and the contact pressure surfaces of the carrier. The contact pressure surfaces exert forces on the end flanges as the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket thus fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket with a clamping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maik Frenzel, Klaus Hirschfeld, Michael Langs, Martin Deitmerg
  • Publication number: 20170080968
    Abstract: A steering column module includes a tubular jacket rotatably supporting a steering shaft, a switch module having a carrier including contact pressure surfaces, and a device for fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket. The device includes a clamp assembly between the tubular jacket and the switch module for exerting a clamping force on the tubular jacket. The clamp includes two half clamps each having two outwardly bent end flanges. The end flanges are axially movably accommodated in the carrier such that when the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket the end flanges come into contact with axial end stops of the tubular jacket and the contact pressure surfaces of the carrier. The contact pressure surfaces exert forces on the end flanges as the switch module is axially moved onto the tubular jacket thus fastening the switch module to the tubular jacket with a clamping action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Maik Frenzel, Klaus Hirschfeld, Michael Langs, Martin Deitmerg
  • Patent number: 7819427
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Michael Langs, Lukas Fiala, Benno Wessendorf
  • Publication number: 20100045013
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: LEOPOLD KOSTAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Michael Langs, Lukas Fiala, Benno Wessendorf