Patents by Inventor Michael Roll

Michael Roll 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: 7201413
    Abstract: A crash box for installation between a longitudinal member and a bumper cross member of a motor vehicle, includes a sheet metal body having a deformation member which extends anteriorly of an end surface of the longitudinal member and whose maximum crumpling capability defines the energy absorption of the crash box. In prolongation of the deformation member is an attachment member which is engaged in the longitudinal member and detachably secured by bolts therein. Formed in a transition zone between the deformation member and the attachment member, is a stop which is configured in the form of an outwardly directed material protuberance or outwardly directed thickened area of the sheet metal body and bearing against the end surface of the longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Hillekes, Achim Kröning, Hui Wang, Michael Roll, Dirk Kroeger
  • Publication number: 20070040398
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a cross member which is disposed transversely to side rails of a motor vehicle frame and connected to the side rails via crash boxes. The cross member has a C-shaped cross section and includes an outer shell member and an inner shell member. The inner shell member is constructed as tension link which is made of a material having a tensile strength that is greater than the tensile strength of a material of the outer shell member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Lutke-Bexten, Michael Roll, Elmar Mollemeier
  • Publication number: 20060290149
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a cross member which is disposed transversely to a side rail of a motor vehicle frame, and a crash box which is connected between the side rails and the cross member. The crash box is configured in fold construction from a metal sheet and has a sidewall which exhibits a roof-shaped structure. The sidewall includes at least one wall section which is inclined in relation to the horizontal midsection transverse plane of the crash box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: MICHAEL ROLL, Ulrich Lutke-Bexten
  • Publication number: 20060290150
    Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle includes a cross member disposed transversely to side rails of a motor vehicle frame and having a U-shaped cross section with a wall and two legs extending from opposite ends of the wall. The cross member is supported via integral crash boxes against the side rails. Each crash box has a cross member proximal end which abuts against the wall of the cross member, and includes vertical legs and horizontal legs to define a casing-like configuration. The wall of the cross member is formed in an area of the cross member proximal end of the crash box with a depression which extends in a direction of the crash box, with the vertical legs of the crash box joined at the cross member proximal end to the wall of the cross member, and with the horizontal legs of the crash box spaced from the wall of the cross member by a distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventors: MICHAEL ROLL, Ulrich Lutke-Bexten, Wilhelm Arns, Elmar Mollemeier
  • Publication number: 20060196452
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for facilitating the cooling of engine coolant flowing through a radiator operatively connected to the engine of an engine-driven, electrical generator set. The engine has a crankshaft rotatable about a first axis and a radiator having a first side directed towards the engine and a second side. The apparatus includes a fan positionable on the second side of the radiator that is rotatable about a second axis generally parallel to and vertically spaced from the first axis. The apparatus includes a thermally responsive clutch having a driven portion. The clutch is movable between a first disengaged position wherein the driven portion is isolated from the crankshaft and a second engaged position wherein the driven portion rotates in unison with the crankshaft in response to a predetermined temperature. A fan drive system interconnects the driven portion of the clutch and the fan for translating rotation of the driven portion to the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Robert Kern, Bret Baird, Allen Gillette, Michael Roll
  • Publication number: 20060033363
    Abstract: A crash box for installation between a longitudinal member and a bumper cross member of a motor vehicle, includes a sheet metal body having a deformation member which extends anteriorly of an end surface of the longitudinal member and whose maximum crumpling capability defines the energy absorption of the crash box. In prolongation of the deformation member is an attachment member which is engaged in the longitudinal member and detachably secured by bolts therein. Formed in a transition zone between the deformation member and the attachment member, is a stop which is configured in the form of an outwardly directed material protuberance or outwardly directed thickened area of the sheet metal body and bearing against the end surface of the longitudinal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Publication date: February 16, 2006
    Applicant: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Hillekes, Achim Kroning, Hui Wang, Michael Roll, Dirk Kroeger
  • Publication number: 20050225053
    Abstract: A trailer coupler pivot assembly comprising a pivot mount member connected to a trailer frame member and a hinge bracket connected to a trailer tongue arm. The hinge bracket is pivotally connected to the pivot mount member so that the trailer tongue arm is pivotal relative to the trailer frame member between an open position and a closed position. However, either of the pivot mount member or the hinge bracket comprises a single, prefabricated component to make assembly more efficient and cost effective. With both the pivot mount member and the hinge bracket being single, prefabricate components, the trailer coupler pivot assembly can be more easily installed with fewer components and welds and by less skilled labor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Roll, Todd Walstrom, Todd Trowbridge
  • Publication number: 20050035652
    Abstract: A surge brake actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes an actuator housing and a coupler housing movably engaged within the actuator housing. Upper and lower coupler slide channels formed from a plastic material are releasably connected to the coupler housing and contact the actuator housing. The plastic coupler slide channels reduce frictional loss and provides superior brake actuation output when the coupler housing retracts into the actuator housing during braking. The surge brake actuator includes a push rod assembly that also provides superior brake actuation output to the actuator and can engage the actuator during a breakaway event. The surge brake actuator includes a releasably engagable reverse lock that prevents brake actuation while the towing vehicle moves in reverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Roll, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund
  • Patent number: 6113358
    Abstract: A method of improving the efficiency of a pair of first and second scroll refrigeration compressors, at least the second of which includes an intermediate port is characterized in that the delivery of the first scroll compressor is fed into the intermediate port of the second compressor at a pressure corresponding to the intermediate port in the compression process occurring in the second scroll compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: AAF - McQuay Inc.
    Inventors: Terence William Thomas Young, John Michael Roll
  • Patent number: 6050546
    Abstract: A small vehicle lift of the parallelogram type is described wherein parallel pivoting legs are pivotally attached at their opposing ends to a base and a support platform, whereby the lift ranges from a lowered state wherein the support platform is in close parallel relation to the base and a raised position wherein the support platform is in spaced parallel relation to the base. Both the support platform and the base pivotally bear the legs within channels and thereby surround the legs at opposing planes adjacent the planes wherein the legs pivot. The channels within the base also have wheels rotatably mounted therein to allow the lift to be easily transported. Two opposing pivoting legs are affixed together by a bridge member which is pivotally connected to a linear actuator, which is in turn pivotally connected to the base. Actuation of the linear actuator thereby raises and lowers the support platform with respect to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Fulton Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Peschmann, Michael Roll