Patents by Inventor Ralf Heindl

Ralf Heindl 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: 7111867
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module that is integrated into a steering wheel and that can be moved relative to the steering wheel in order to actuate a horn. The airbag module comprises a horn switch provided on the module which, when the module is moved, is transferred into a switching position that causes the horn to be activated. A hollow profile made of elastomer is provided which is equipped with the horn switch and lies against the module. The invention further relates to a vehicle steering wheel equipped with such an airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Patent number: 6814369
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module comprising a gas generator that is mounted in the airbag module by means of at least one elastic element. The elastic element is a hollow profile closed as seen in cross-section and has a circumferential wall a radial outer side of which lies against the gas generator on the one hand, and against a holding part on a module side on the other hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Publication number: 20030221513
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a component with a through bore for a tool and a shield to cover the through bore is provided. The shield has a fastening section and an at least partially elastic cover section, which is movable with respect to the fastening section so that it covers the through bore in a first position and exposes the through bore in a second position. The fastening section is fastened to the component a distance away from the through bore and the shield is endeavouring to move automatically into the first position in which the through bore is covered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Publication number: 20020175505
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module that is integrated into a steering wheel and that can be moved relative to the steering wheel in order to actuate a horn. The airbag module comprises a horn switch provided on the module which, when the module is moved, is transferred into a switching position that causes the horn to be activated. A hollow profile made of elastomer is provided which is equipped with the horn switch and lies against the module. The invention further relates to a vehicle steering wheel equipped with such an airbag module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Publication number: 20020175500
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module comprising a gas generator that is mounted in the airbag module by means of at least one elastic element. The elastic element is a hollow profile closed as seen in cross-section and has a circumferential wall a radial outer side of which lies against the gas generator on the one hand, and against a holding part on a module side on the other hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Publication number: 20020125704
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising an accommodation housing for a gas bag, a gas generator and a cup-shaped diffusor which surrounds the gas generator and delimits an accommodation space for the gas bag. The diffusor has a radial flange by which it is fastened directly to the accommodation housing and which forms a ring-shaped base closing the accommodation housing. The diffusor projects into an interior of the accommodation housing and forms a gas generator space which is open from a base side of the diffusor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Heindl
  • Patent number: 5306070
    Abstract: In a sliding-lifting roof or top sliding-lifting roof for automobiles, comprising a sliding lid (3) slidably guided on lateral guide rails and pivotal upwards by means of driven rear guide shoes for ventilation, the outward pivoting and inward pivoting take place through specially constructed guide blocks (56), fixed to the sliding lid (3), which cooperate with the rear guide shoes not only by guide slits (57) but also by control levers (63). In this way, in the interests of an improved stability of the lid, the outward pivoting and inward pivoting movements of the sliding lid (3) are divided into two movement phases, which are created, on the one hand, by the engagement, which can be cancelled, of guide pins (54) with the guide slits (57) in the guide blocks and, on the other hand, by the control levers (63), articulated to the rear guide shoes and connected rotatably and displaceably to the guide blocks (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell Golde GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Schlapp, Ralf Heindl
  • Patent number: 5303974
    Abstract: A top sliding roof or top sliding-lifting roof for automobiles, having a sliding lid (3) slidably guided above the fixed roof surface (1) on lateral guide rails, which sliding lid is surrounded at the front and sides by an outer frame (4) and against which a sealing profile (9) bears from below for sealing the roof opening (2), possesses a single-piece, especially streamlined outer frame (4), adjoining the sliding lid (3) in sealed manner and with a smooth surface and making possible a pre-assembly, which outer frame protects the guiding and functional components of the roof construction against fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell Golde GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Schlapp, Gunter Pfeifer, Ralf Heindl, Bernhard Scheuermann