Patents by Inventor Michel Kuhm

Michel Kuhm 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: 11255365
    Abstract: A fastener assembly (100) includes a securing panel (102) and a fixation member (104) that projects away from the securing panel along a center axis (101). The fixation member includes opposing arms (106, 108) that are angled toward the center axis and opposite ribs (118, 120) disposed between the arms and angled toward the center axis. The fixation member is inserted through openings in first and second components. The arms engage the first component and the securing panel engages the second while the fastener assembly is in a locked state to secure the first and second components together. The fixation member is partially rotated around the center axis to transition the fixation member to an unlocked state. The ribs are brought into contact with an edge of the first component and the arms are moved out of contact with the first component while the fastener assembly is in the unlocked state to decouple the components from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Stephane Dorschner, Laurent Vogler, Michel Kuhm
  • Patent number: 11001312
    Abstract: A hole plug is configured to plug a hole of a component, and includes a first lip that is configured to be positioned on a first surface of the component, and second lip that is configured to be positioned on a second surface of the component. The second surface is opposite from the first surface. At least one of the first lip or the second lip includes a first lip segment, a second lip segment, and at least one gap formed between the first lip segment and the second lip segment. The gap(s) is configured to allow the first lip segment and second lip segment to deflect and rotate relative to one another to adapt a size of the first lip and/or the second lip to the hole of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Stephane Dorschner
  • Publication number: 20200063778
    Abstract: A fastener assembly (100) includes a securing panel (102) and a fixation member (104) that projects away from the securing panel along a center axis (101). The fixation member includes opposing arms (106, 108) that are angled toward the center axis and opposite ribs (118, 120) disposed between the arms and angled toward the center axis. The fixation member is inserted through openings in first and second components. The arms engage the first component and the securing panel engages the second while the fastener assembly is in a locked state to secure the first and second components together. The fixation member is partially rotated around the center axis to transition the fixation member to an unlocked state. The ribs are brought into contact with an edge of the first component and the arms are moved out of contact with the first component while the fastener assembly is in the unlocked state to decouple the components from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Stephane Dorschner, Laurent Vogler, Michel Kuhm
  • Publication number: 20190308671
    Abstract: A hole plug is configured to plug (100) a hole of a component (206), and includes a first lip (102) that is configured to be positioned on a first surface (202) of the component 200), and second lip (104) that is configured to be positioned on a second surface (204) of the component. The second surface is opposite from the first surface. At least one of the first lip or the second lip includes a first lip segment (112), a second lip segment (114), and at least one gap (116) formed between the first lip segment and the second lip segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Stephane Dorschner
  • Patent number: 9856899
    Abstract: A fastening element for fastening lining parts has a fastening section for attachment of a lining part thereto, and a locking section adapted to lock with a carrier for the fastening element. The locking section includes at least one locking tab. The locking tab has a release tab provided thereon for engagement by a tool for shifting the locking lab to a release position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: ITW FASTENER PRODUCTS GMBH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Emmanuel Ouine
  • Patent number: 9783243
    Abstract: A sealing plug for closing an opening in a component, in particular a body component of a motor vehicle, has a base body which is formed such that it can cover the opening and engage behind an edge of the opening. On the base body a sealing body is arranged, which includes a ring portion and several lamellae with free radial ends, which protrude from the ring portion and are flexible in circumferential direction. The sealing plug is pushed into the opening such that the rear-side latching lip engages behind the edge of the opening, wherein the lamellae of the sealing body are deformed in circumferential direction and center the sealing plug in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Stephane Dorschner
  • Publication number: 20160244104
    Abstract: A sealing plug for dosing an opening in a component, in particular a body component of a motor vehicle, has a base body which is formed such that it can cover the opening and engage behind an edge of the opening. On the base body a sealing body is arranged, which includes a ring portion and several lamellae with free radial ends, which protrude from the ring portion and are flexible in circumferential direction. The sealing plug is pushed into the opening such that the rear-side latching Hp engages behind the edge of the opening, wherein the lamellae of the sealing body are deformed in circumferential direction and center the sealing plug in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Stephane Dorschner
  • Patent number: 9347480
    Abstract: A nut in the form of a mounting element made in a single piece and having a first branch and a second branch connected by a web, the first branch and the second branch each including a proximal portion connected to the web and a distal portion extending the proximal portion. The nut includes a screwing element supported by the distal portion of the first branch, with a bore extending inside the screwing element along a screwing axis and emerging inside the mounting element through the distal portion of the first branch. The second branch includes an opening passing through the distal portion of the second branch opposite the bore. The proximal portion of at least one of the first and second branches is deformable so as to allow the distal portions of the first branch and the second branch to be positioned parallel to one another with different spacings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Dominique Duchet, Frédéric Lard
  • Patent number: 9328759
    Abstract: In a fastening clip (10), in particular for a lining part (12) of a vehicle, including a base body (16) which has a retaining portion (20) for the lining part (12) and a fastening portion (22) provided thereon, which can be inserted into an opening (24) of a vehicle-fixed component (14), in particular of a vehicle body part, and which can latch therein, the fastening portion (22) includes at least two flexible latching wings (48) each held on a flexible web (40), the webs (40) being spaced apart from each other, and the latching wings (48) extending from the webs (40) away from each other, and a flexible connecting element (42) connecting the webs (40) on the entire length to each other being provided between the webs (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Jean Luc Klein
  • Patent number: 9328756
    Abstract: A fixing device for cables has at least an edge clip part for mounting the fixing device on an edge of a base part. The edge clip part includes a plug-on gap into which the edge is introduced when plugging the edge clip part onto the edge. At least one protective tab is provided which is articulated to a boundary wall of the plug-on gap and extends towards an opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap. A recess for the protective tab is provided on the opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap, into which the tip of the protective tab partly engages in the unloaded condition of the edge clip part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Michel Kuhm
  • Patent number: 9270100
    Abstract: A fastening clip comprises a base body and at least one holding portion which is integrally but flexibly connected to the base body, the base body as well as the holding portion comprising at least one receptacle for an elongated member. The holding portion is reversibly movable with respect to the base body in a predefined range, however, a rotation of the holding portion relative to the base body is limited by first stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Emmanuel Ouine
  • Patent number: 9150120
    Abstract: A fastening clip (16) for fastening a bracket (20), in particular a metal bracket in a vehicle, which is adapted to be inserted into an opening (14) of a body part (10) and to be fixed therein, includes a housing (22) having an insertion opening (26) and an elongated receiving space (24) for the bracket (20), a latching element (42) being provided in the receiving space (24), which is adapted to be moved resiliently from a holding position in which the latching element (42) holds the bracket (20) in the receiving space (24), to a release position in which the bracket (20) can be inserted into the receiving space (24) or can be pulled out therefrom, and to a fixing position, corresponding holding elements (46, 48) which fix the latching element (42) in the fixing position being provided in the receiving space (24) and on the latching element (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Herve Antoine, Michel Kuhm, Emmanuel Ouine
  • Publication number: 20150219138
    Abstract: A fastening element for fastening lining parts has a fastening section for attachment of a lining part thereto, and a locking section adapted to lock with a carrier for the fastening element. The locking section includes at least one locking tab. The locking tab has a release tab provided thereon for engagement by a tool for shifting the locking lab to a release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Emmanuel Ouine
  • Publication number: 20150159778
    Abstract: A fixing device for cables has at least an edge clip part for mounting the fixing device on an edge of a base part. The edge clip part includes a plug-on gap into which the edge is introduced when plugging the edge clip part onto the edge. At least one protective tab is provided which is articulated to a boundary wall of the plug-on gap and extends towards an opposed boundary wall of the plug-on gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventor: Michel Kuhm
  • Patent number: 9039339
    Abstract: In a spring nut (10) for attachment onto a stud (12), having a substantially oblong seat for the stud (12), the seat having an axial insertion opening (32) for the stud (12) and a holding section for the stud (12), provision is made that the spring nut (10) completely encloses the seat on a front wall (28) opposite the insertion opening (32) and in the peripheral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS & COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Michell Kuhm, Jerome Maurer, Jeremy Jacotey
  • Patent number: 9016639
    Abstract: In a fixation clip (10) for at least one line (18), with a frame (12) which defines a receiving space (14, 14a, 14b) for the line (18), into which space the line (18) can be introduced such that the frame (12) encloses the line (18) in circumferential direction, wherein an insertion opening (16, 16a, 16b) for the line (18) is provided at the frame (12), and with at least one swivel arm (22, 22a, 22b) mounted on the frame (12), which can be moved from a holding position, in which the line (18) is fixed in the receiving space (14, 14a, 14b), in a swivel direction (S) into an assembly position in which the line (18) can be introduced through the insertion opening (16, 16a, 16b) into the receiving space (14, 14a, 14b), a web (24) is provided, which with a first end is mounted on the swivel arm (22, 22a, 22b) and with a second end is mounted on the inside of the frame (12), wherein the web (24, 24a, 24b) includes at least one joint (34, 34a, 34b) and is folded in the assembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Jeremy Jacotey
  • Patent number: 8939690
    Abstract: An attachment device having a nut member, flange member, and tabs connecting the flange member to the nut member. The nut member extends along an axis and has an axial thread-engaging bore. The flange member extends transversely to the axis and has an opening, with the flange member being spaced axially from nut member. The tabs connect the flange member to the nut member, with each tab having a first end connected to the nut member and a second end connected to the flange. The nut member includes blocks having abutment faces defining a polygonal outline with side faces, with each tab extending alongside an abutment face on a side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Faurecia Interieur Industrie
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Jean-Luc Klein, Dominique Duchet, Frédéric Lard
  • Publication number: 20150014489
    Abstract: A fastening clip comprises a base body and at least one holding portion which is integrally but flexibly connected to the base body, the base body as well as the holding portion comprising at least one receptacle for an elongated member. The holding portion is reversibly movable with respect to the base body in a predefined range, however, a rotation of the holding portion relative to the base body is limited by first stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Emmanuel Ouine
  • Publication number: 20140201954
    Abstract: In a fixation clip (10) for at least one line (18), with a frame (12) which defines a receiving space (14, 14a, 14b) for the line (18), into which space the line (18) can be introduced such that the frame (12) encloses the line (18) in circumferential direction, wherein an insertion opening (16, 16a, 16b) for the line (18) is provided at the frame (12), and with at least one swivel arm (22, 22a, 22b) mounted on the frame (12), which can be moved from a holding position, in which the line (18) is fixed in the receiving space (14, 14a, 14b), in a swivel direction (8) into an assembly position in which the line (18) can be introduced through the insertion opening (16, 16a, 16b) into the receiving space (14, 14a, 14b), a web (24) is provided, which with a first end is mounted on the swivel arm (22, 22a, 22b) and with a second end is mounted on the inside of the frame (12), wherein the web (24, 24a, 24b) includes at least one joint (34, 34a, 34b) and is folded in the assembly position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Jeremy Jacotey
  • Publication number: 20140196259
    Abstract: In a fastening clip (10), in particular for a lining part (12) of a vehicle, comprising a base body (16) which has a retaining portion (20) for the lining part (12) and a fastening portion (22) provided thereon, which can be inserted into an opening (24) of a vehicle-fixed component (14), in particular of a vehicle body part, and which can latch therein, the fastening portion (22) includes at least two flexible latching wings (48) each held on a flexible web (40), the webs (40) being spaced apart from each other, and the latching wings (48) extending from the webs (40) away from each other, and a flexible connecting element (42) connecting the webs (40) on the entire length to each other being provided between the webs (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Kuhm, Jean Luc Klein