Patents by Inventor Rainer Bongratz

Rainer Bongratz 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).

  • Light-scanning head for knitting-machine needles, a corresponding light-scanning system and method for checking knitting-machine needles, using said light-scanning system
    Patent number: 6691534
    Abstract: A light scanning system for needles in knitting machines, more particularly circular knitting machines, with a control unit, which comprises at least a light source and an evaluating unit with a receiver, at least a first (22, 42) and a second (24, 44) light wave conductor, the first light wave conductor (22, 42) having a first end, which is connected to the light source in order to supply light into the first light wave conductor, and having a second end (26), which is secured in a casing (20, 46) for transmitting the light to a needle, and the second light wave conductor (24, 44) having a first end (30), which is secured in the casing (20, 48) so close to the second end (26) of the first light wave conductor (22, 42) that radiation reflected by the needle enters the second light wave conductor (24, 44), and having a second end, which is connected to the evaluating unit, so that the reflected radiation is supplied to the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Protechna Herbst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Schönauer, Rainer Bongratz, Torsten Schöne