Patents by Inventor Michael Scholz

Michael Scholz 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).

  • Publication number: 20240151072
    Abstract: An electromotive drive for motor vehicle applications, in particular for applications for and in a motor vehicle lock. For this purpose, the drive is equipped with an electric motor, a drive disk which can be actuated by the electric motor and can be rotated about an axis, and at least one spring assigned to the drive. The spring transmits a force to the drive disk which aids the drive within the scope of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: KIEKERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter SZEGENY, Ömer INAN, Michael SCHOLZ, Holger SCHIFFER
  • Publication number: 20240133535
    Abstract: An optical device usable as a headlight of a motor vehicle has an optical system in the form of a lens and/or a light source which is surrounded by a housing and which is covered by a translucent, in particular transparent, cover which is connected to the housing. To increase the functionality of the optical device, a PTC heating assembly is configured to heat a space between the housing and the cover. The PTC heating assembly includes at least one PTC element and strip conductors that are connected electrically to the PTC element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Niederer, Peter Scholz, Kurt Walz, Ralf Lothar Weinand
  • Publication number: 20240092978
    Abstract: Spreadable granules as infill granules for grass and artificial turf fields are proposed, which granules have a polymer matrix with a percentage between 10% by mass and 100% by mass of at least one biodegradable polymer and at least one filler from the group of natural fillers, embedded in the polymer matrix with the at least one biodegradable polymer. The invention provides for the spreadable granules to have at least one filler from the group including comminuted fruit kernels. In addition, the invention relates to the use of such spreadable granules as infill granules for grass and artificial turf fields, as a spacer material for the storage of construction materials, such as, e.g., floor covering materials, and as grit for road maintenance in winter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: TECNARO Gesellschaft zur industriellen Anwendung nachwachsender Rohstoffe mbH, Morton Extrusionstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen PFITZER, Helmut NAEGELE, Michael SCHWEIZER, Dirk SCHAWALLER, Lena SCHOLZ, Michael HAEBERLE, Georgios MOURGAS, Eric HABIB, Ulrich BERGHAUS
  • Patent number: 11933079
    Abstract: A door lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism consisting substantially of a catch and at least one pawl. Each locking mechanism component is mounted on a base in a rotatable manner about an axis. Additionally, a fixed support body is provided for at least one locking mechanism component. According to the invention, the locking mechanism component is designed to be rotatable about a bearing pin at a distance from the support body during a normal operation and comes into contact with the support body solely in the event of a crash with a simultaneous deformation of the bearing pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Thomas Schönenberg, Ömer Inan, Peter Szegeny
  • Publication number: 20240084624
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock, which is equipped with a locking mechanism essentially consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. Furthermore, an actuating lever chain for the locking mechanism is provided. The actuating lever chain has at least one actuating lever, a coupling element, and a trigger lever on the locking mechanism side. Furthermore, an inertia element is also provided for acting on the coupling element at least in the event of a crash. According to the invention, the coupling element is disengaged during normal operation and is only engaged in the event of a crash by means of the inertia element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: KIEKERT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ömer INAN, Peter SZEGENY, Thorsten BENDEL, Michael SCHOLZ, Holger SCHIFFER
  • Patent number: 11905744
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle locking system, particularly for acting upon a motor vehicle cover and preferably a motor vehicle door for the purpose of locking it. A drive for the cover is acted upon depending on a pre-locked position and a fully latched position of the cover determined by a sensor. According to the invention, a sensor detects the over-travel beyond the fully latched position, resulting in the motor being driven in a reverse direction irrespective of the previously assumed fully latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Manuel Reusch, Michael Scholz
  • Publication number: 20230374829
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a motor vehicle lock which is paired with a movable door element and which comprises a locking mechanism consisting of a rotary latch and at least one pawl. In an open position of the locking mechanism, at least one part of an inlet region for a lock holder can be released. The motor vehicle also has an actuation means which is arranged in the free inlet region, wherein the actuation means forms at least one part of an energy power supply of the motor vehicle lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Holger SCHIFFER, Peter SZEGENY, Ömer INAN, Michael SCHOLZ, Andreas SCHMITZ, Thomas SCHÖNENBERG, Michael HERRMANN
  • Publication number: 20230374830
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock housing arrangement which is equipped with at least one lock housing and one carrier housing. The lock housing is designed to receive at least one locking-mechanism-side component, such as an actuator. The carrier housing has at least one electronics carrier. The lock housing and the carrier housing are connected together in a media-tight manner. According to the invention, the carrier housing and the electronics carrier define a pre-assembled structural unit, which is coupled modularly to the lock housing with at least one seal interposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Holger SCHIFFER, Michael SCHOLZ, Ömer INAN, Peter SZEGENY
  • Patent number: 11722903
    Abstract: A system for controlling access to data based on environmental verification can include a physical environment authenticator that receives data characterizing environmental parameters of a node in an environment from a set of environmental sensors. The physical environment authenticator can compare correlated environmental parameters with each other and/or a threshold value. At least a subset of the correlated environmental parameters are based on the data from the set of environmental sensors and grants access to a data if the correlated environmental parameters indicate that the node is operating in an authorized environment and prevents access to the data if the correlated environmental parameters indicates that the node is not operating in an authorized environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven D. Ratts, Brian J. Noe, Kathryn E. Schmidt, Alexander J. Voce, Albert C. Stevens, Michael Scholz
  • Patent number: 11713602
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, such as a motor vehicle bonnet lock includes a locking mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The locking mechanism interacts with a striker element on a bonnet. The lock further has an unlocking/opening mechanism for the bonnet, which mechanism is equipped with a release element provided in the interior of a motor vehicle body. The release element is operated twice to open the bonnet. The locking mechanism is transferred to a pre-latched position after the release element has been operated at least once, with the striker element still being trapped. The bonnet is opened from the pre-latched position by lifting the pawl off the rotary latch with the aid of a power mechanism, said lifting being activated separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer, Bernhard Drost
  • Publication number: 20230228322
    Abstract: A drive unit for motor vehicle applications, in particular motor vehicle closing devices. The drive unit comprises an electric motor and at least one drive element driven by the electric motor. In addition, an actuation lever that cooperates with the drive element is provided. The drive element and/or the actuation lever are advantageously designed to be able to rotate about an axis. A rotatably mounted intermediate element is provided between the drive element and the actuation lever. According to the invention, the intermediate element is in the form of a friction-reducing rolling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Peter SZEGENY, Ömer INAN, Michael SCHOLZ, Holger SCHIFFER
  • Publication number: 20230184009
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door equipped with a motor vehicle door lock, as well as with at least one first electromotive drive for the motor vehicle door lock, and with an emergency electrical power source for the first drive. According to the invention, the emergency power source is arranged in a component required for operation, for attaching in or to a door leaf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Holger SCHIFFER, Michael SCHOLZ, Ömer INAN, Peter SZEGENY
  • Patent number: 11661768
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism that consists essentially of a rotary latch and a pawl. Also, at least one actuating lever chain for opening the locking mechanism in an emergency is provided. In addition, a control element which blocks the actuating lever chain indirectly or directly in normal operation and releases it in the event of an emergency, is provided. The control element is equipped with an electric motor having an output element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer
  • Patent number: 11643852
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, more particularly a flap lock or a hood lock includes a locking mechanism substantially consisting of a rotary latch and a pawl. There is also a motorized closing aid which has a motor and also a first lever, which is acted upon by the motor, and a second lever. The two levers are hinged to each other. During the lowering of a flap or hood, the second lever first of all carries out a movement, which is controlled by the rotary latch, while simultaneously freewheeling in relation to the first lever. Only following the freewheeling does the first lever, which is then driven, act upon the second lever, in order to close the rotary latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Drost, Murat Özdogan, Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer
  • Patent number: 11572715
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, in particular for a vehicle rear door, having a lock cover and a locking mechanism consisting essentially of a rotary latch and at least one pawl, also comprising at least one coupling element, and at least one electric drive, wherein the coupling element can assume different positions, and the coupling element interacts with a drive element of the drive and a central locking mechanism, wherein the coupling element is connected to the drive element in order to take up its positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Cyrille Roussel
  • Patent number: 11566454
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock, more particularly for a vehicle rear door, having a lock cover and a locking mechanism consisting of substantially rotary latches and at least one pawl, furthermore having at least one coupling lever, and at least one electric drive, wherein the coupling lever can take up different positions and interacts with a drive element of the drive and a central locking mechanism, wherein, to take up its positions, the coupling lever is connected to the drive element. The drive element and/or lock cover have/has a latching contour having at least two position holders wherein at least one position holder is designed asymmetrically and a spring mechanism is provided, wherein the spring mechanism cooperates with the latching contour, as a result of which the coupling lever can be positioned in the different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Michael Scholz, Holger Schiffer, Cyrille Roussel
  • Patent number: 11536061
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, particularly a motor vehicle bonnet lock, includes a ratchet mechanism which substantially consists of a rotary latch and a pawl. The ratchet mechanism interacts with a lock retainer pin on a vehicle bonnet. A retention element is additionally provided which holds the pawl in a retention position, raised from the rotary latch, during unlocking of the bonnet. The lock retainer pin continues to engage in the rotary latch when in said retention position. During a first opening process which proceeds from the retention position, the lock retainer pin transfers the retention element into a release position that releases the pawl. During a subsequent bonnet closing process, the pawl can thus engage in the rotary latch, which can be pivoted without exertion of force by the lock retainer pin at least into the hold position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Christian Sturm, Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Bernhard Drost
  • Patent number: 11525288
    Abstract: A motor vehicle locking system for a door or hatch, comprising a locking mechanism with a rotary latch and a pawl for latching the rotary latch, a drive pulley for an electrical opening means, which drive pulley can be rotated in a motorized manner in an operating direction for tripping the locking mechanism, and a return spring for rotating the drive pulley in the direction opposite the operating direction, wherein the drive pulley can be rotated in the operating direction without being influenced by the return spring or at least without spring load. Therefore, higher loads can be moved by the drive pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Ömer Inan, Michael Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20220364394
    Abstract: A door lock, in particular a motor vehicle door lock. This lock is provided with a locking mechanism substantially formed by a rotary latch and at least one pawl. A lever chain is also provided for directly or indirectly acting on the locking mechanism. The lever chain has at least one actuation lever and an actuated lever optionally acted upon by the actuation lever. In addition, at least one damping element is created for the lever chain. According to the invention, the damping element is arranged on the actuation lever and/or the actuated lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Holger Schiffer, Michael Scholz, Ömer Inan, Peter Szegeny
  • Publication number: 20220364396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle door lock which is equipped with a locking mechanism (1, 2) that consists essentially of a rotary latch (1) and a pawl (2). Furthermore, an electrical drive (3, 4) for the locking mechanism (1, 2) is provided. Moreover, an actuating lever chain (5, 6, 7) is implemented between the electrical drive (3, 4) and the locking mechanism (1, 2), wherein a coupling element (7) of the actuating lever chain (5, 6, 7) can at least be decoupled with the aid of an emergency actuating element (9, 10) that can be acted on manually. According to the invention, the emergency actuating element (9, 10) acts on the coupling element (7) predominantly in a linear manner in relation to a link (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Ömer INAN, Holger SCHIFFER, Thomas SCHÖNENBERG, Michael SCHOLZ, Thorsten BENDEL