Patents by Inventor Ralf Lennhoff

Ralf Lennhoff 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: 20190106912
    Abstract: A method for mounting a door handle support in a final position on a vehicle door provided with a door handle cutout includes providing a vehicle door having an outer surface and an inner surface, connecting a fastening adapter to the inner surface of the door, positioning an adapter cap on the fastening adapter, and positioning the door handle support on the adapter cap in an abutting position. The door handle support is fastened by fastening screws. Optionally, a paint bezel is applied on the door handle support. A door handle support fastening set is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Lennhoff, Pedro Dias
  • Patent number: 10072446
    Abstract: The invention relates a door handle unit (10) for actuating a lock (101) of a movable part (100) of a motor vehicle, particularly a door, a flap or the like, with a door handle (11), which is movably mounted at the support element (12) for mechanically opening the movable part (100) by a user, wherein the door handle (11) comprises at least a rest position and a operative position, a mechanical coupling element (13), which is movably mounted at the support element (12) and by which a movement of the door handle (11) is transmitted to the lock (101) from the rest position to the operating position, wherein the door handle (11) and the coupling element (13) are mechanically cooperating and form a movable actuating mechanism (15), and at least a locking unit (16), which in a normal case enables a movement of the actuating mechanism (15) for actuating the lock (101) and only in a case of locking blocks a movement of the actuating mechanism (15) for actuating the lock (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Markus Bartels, Reinhold Mathofer, Ralf Lennhoff, Timo Hoppe, Mario Christensen, Andreas Beck
  • Patent number: 9809148
    Abstract: An exterior assembly component for a vehicle and a manufacturing method thereof, where the component is in the form of an exterior mirror, door handle, door sill, skirt or similar, the component including a light module having at least one lamp emitting visible light toward the outside, and a plug to supply the lamp with electrical energy, where the light module represents a separate component of the assembly component which can be mounted on the assembly component and wherein the plug is designed as a single part with the a case of the light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Lennhoff
  • Patent number: 9765552
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle includes an operating handle moveably supported on a handle mounting, a mechanical coupling device and a locking device. An acceleration force can move the locking device from a normal operating position, in which an actuation of the operating handle is possible, in a first blocking direction, in which an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device, is blocked. The locking device also blocks the door handle assembly when long lasting or strongly pronounced oscillations occur as a result of a crash. In that event, the locking device can move from the normal operating position in a second blocking direction, in which an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device is blocked, wherein the second blocking direction is oriented opposite the first blocking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Beck, Ralf Lennhoff, Mario Christensen
  • Publication number: 20170044802
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle includes an operating handle moveably supported on a handle mounting, a mechanical coupling device and a locking device. An acceleration force can move the locking device from a normal operating position, in which an actuation of the operating handle is possible, in a first blocking direction, in which an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device, is blocked. The locking device also blocks the door handle assembly when long lasting or strongly pronounced oscillations occur as a result of a crash. In that event, the locking device can move from the normal operating position in a second blocking direction, in which an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device is blocked, wherein the second blocking direction is oriented opposite the first blocking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Applicant: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Beck, Ralf Lennhoff, Mario Christensen
  • Patent number: 9435146
    Abstract: The invention concerns a door handle module for a vehicle with a door handle, which is mounted to move in a support frame for the opening of a door or hatch by a user, the door handle having at least one rest position and one working position, a mechanical coupling unit, through which movement of the door handle from the rest position to the working position can be transferred to a lock, a crash lock, which prevents movement of the door handle and/or coupling unit during the action of an acceleration force, especially during an accident, so that activation of the lock is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Michael Kalesse, Ralf Lennhoff
  • Patent number: 9260892
    Abstract: A handle for a moving part of a motor vehicle, particularly for a door, hatch, tailgate, or the like, having a retaining element which can at least partially be arranged on the outer paneling of the moving part, and having a support which can be arranged on the inside of the moving part and which is attached to the retaining element by means of an attachment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Lennhoff, Christof Brauner, Dirk Müller, Alexander Fromme
  • Publication number: 20150218854
    Abstract: The invention relates a door handle unit (10) for actuating a lock (101) of a movable part (100) of a motor vehicle, particularly a door, a flap or the like, with a door handle (11), which is movably mounted at the support element (12) for mechanically opening the movable part (100) by a user, wherein the door handle (11) comprises at least a rest position and a operative position, a mechanical coupling element (13), which is movably mounted at the support element (12) and by which a movement of the door handle (11) is transmitted to the lock (101) from the rest position to the operating position, wherein the door handle (11) and the coupling element (13) are mechanically cooperating and form a movable actuating mechanism (15), and at least a locking unit (16), which in a normal case enables a movement of the actuating mechanism (15) for actuating the lock (101) and only in a case of locking blocks a movement of the actuating mechanism (15) for actuating the lock (101).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Markus Bartels, Reinhold Mathofer, Ralf Lennhoff, Timo Hoppe, Mario Christensen, Andreas Beck
  • Patent number: 9039050
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for actuating the closure of a movable part (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, or hatchback, or similar, comprising a support (11) that can be fixed to the inner face of the movable part (12), a bearing unit (20) that can be pivoted about a first axis (13) provided on the support (11) and a handle element (40) with a first (41) and a second end (42), the second end (42) being fixed to the bearing unit (20), whereby the handle element (40) can be pivoted together with the bearing unit (20). According to the invention, the first end (41) is pivotally mounted on the first axis (13) and at least one bearing element (22, 22a, 22b) is provided for the horizontal bearing of the first end (41), said bearing element being located in the region of the first axis (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HUF NORTH AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE PARTS MANUFACTURING CORP.
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Ralf Lennhoff
  • Publication number: 20140361556
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle includes an operating handle moveably supported on a handle mounting, a mechanical coupling device and a locking device. An acceleration force can move the locking device from a normal operating position, in which an actuation of the operating handle is possible, in a first blocking direction, in which an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device, is blocked. The locking device also blocks the door handle assembly when long lasting or strongly pronounced oscillations occur as a result of a crash. In that event, the locking device can move from the normal operating position in a second blocking direction, in which an actuation of the closing assembly via the operating handle and/or the coupling device is blocked, wherein the second blocking direction is oriented opposite the first blocking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Beck, Ralf Lennhoff, Mario Christensen
  • Publication number: 20140352222
    Abstract: A modular unit for opening and closing doors, in particular of motor vehicles, includes a first module which has at least one actuating unit and a second module which has at least one lock assembly. The first module and the second module are coupled together via a coupling member in order to actuate a lock of the lock assembly when the first module, in particular the actuating unit, is actuated in order to initiate the opening and/or closing procedure of the door. A connecting element is arranged between the first module and the second module. The connecting element maintains the distance between the modules relative to one another substantially constant when a force F acts on at least one of the modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: HUF HÜLSBECK & FÜRST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Ralf Lennhoff
  • Patent number: 8864191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for actuating the closure of a movable part (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, or hatchback, or similar, comprising a support (11) that can be fixed to the inner face of the movable part (12), a bearing unit (20) that can be pivoted about a first axis (13) provided on the support (11) and a handle element (40) with a first (41) and a second end (42), said first and second end (41, 42) being located on the bearing unit (20). According to the invention, the bearing unit (20) is equipped with a retaining element (24) which lies at a distance from the first axis (13) and on which the first end (41) is situated. Said first end (41) at least partially surrounds the retaining element (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Muller, Ralf Lennhoff
  • Patent number: 8511726
    Abstract: The invention relates to an outside door grip, in particular for vehicles. The outside door grip exhibits a manually actuated handle, which engages a lock disposed in the door upon actuation. In addition, a pivotable blocking member serving as a mass blockage is furnished, which blocking member is disposed generally in its ineffective disengagement position, wherein the handle remains actuatable, which blocking member moves into an effective blocking position based on the inertia of its mass in case of a crash and thereby blocks the handle. Furthermore a damping device is furnished which takes care that the blocking member remains at least so long in its blocking position in case of a crash, until oscillations caused by the crash and acting on the outside door grip and/or the handle, have decayed so far that an effective actuation of the handle by the oscillations is not any longer possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventors: Ralf Lennhoff, Sascha Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20120274088
    Abstract: A handle for a moving part of a motor vehicle, particularly for a door, hatch, tailgate, or the like, having a retaining element which can at least partially be arranged on the outer paneling of the moving part, and having a support which can be arranged on the inside of the moving part and which is attached to the retaining element by means of an attachment means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf LENNHOFF, Christof BRAUNER, Dirk MÜLLER, Alexander FROMME
  • Publication number: 20120170298
    Abstract: An exterior assembly component for a vehicle and a manufacturing method thereof, where the component is in the form of an exterior mirror, door handle, door sill, skirt or similar, the component including a light module having at least one lamp emitting visible light toward the outside, and a plug to supply the lamp with electrical energy, where the light module represents a separate component of the assembly component which can be mounted on the assembly component and wherein the plug is designed as a single part with the a case of the light module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralf LENNHOFF
  • Publication number: 20110115240
    Abstract: The invention concerns a door handle module for a vehicle with a door handle, which is mounted to move in a support frame for the opening of a door or hatch by a user, the door handle having at least one rest position and one working position, a mechanical coupling unit, through which movement of the door handle from the rest position to the working position can be transferred to a lock, a crash lock, which prevents movement of the door handle and/or coupling unit during the action of an acceleration force, especially during an accident, so that activation of the lock is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dirk MÜLLER, Michael KALESSE, Ralf LENNHOFF
  • Patent number: 7854153
    Abstract: A locking cylinder having a two-part housing, including an upper part and a lower part. A cylinder core is received in the housing and can be actuated by turning a key. The housing of the locking cylinder is fastened to the body of a vehicle by a fastener. The fastener used to fasten the housing of the locking cylinder on the body is also used as a connector for fastening the housing upper part on the housing lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralf Lennhoff, Mensur Velicanin, Lars Gabriel, Stefan Mönig, Mario Christensen
  • Publication number: 20100171327
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for actuating the closure of a movable part (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, or hatchback, or similar, comprising a support (11) that can be fixed to the inner face of the movable part (12), a bearing unit (20) that can be pivoted about a first axis (13) provided on the support (11) and a handle element (40) with a first (41) and a second end (42), said first and second end (41, 42) being located on the bearing unit (20). According to the invention, the bearing unit (20) is equipped with a retaining element (24) which lies at a distance from the first axis (13) and on which the first end (41) is situated. Said first end (41) at least partially surrounds the retaining element (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: HULS HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Muller, Ralf Lennhoff
  • Publication number: 20100171328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for actuating the closure of a movable part (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, or hatchback, or similar, comprising a support (11) that can be fixed to the inner face of the movable part (12), a bearing unit (20) that can be pivoted about a first axis (13) provided on the support (11) and a handle element (40) with a first (41) and a second end (42), the second end (42) being fixed to the bearing unit (20), whereby the handle element (40) can be pivoted together with the bearing unit (20). According to the invention, the first end (41) is pivotally mounted on the first axis (13) and at least one bearing element (22, 22a, 22b) is provided for the horizontal bearing of the first end (41), said bearing element being located in the region of the first axis (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: HUF HULSBECK & FURST GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Müller, Ralf Lennhoff
  • Publication number: 20100077805
    Abstract: The invention relates to an outside actuation system for locks on doors, tailgates, or the like of motor vehicles (20). The outside actuation system has a handle (10) which is arranged on the outer side (22) of the door (21) and which can serve for opening the door (21). The handle (10) is fixed pivotably on a bearing axis (11). In addition, a grip recess is designed to be on the outer side (22) of the door (21) in the area of the handle (10), which grip recess can be illuminated by an illuminating device (30). Said illuminating device (30) comprises a housing (31) which is designed as a part of the handle (10) and which is located near the bearing axis (11). Said illuminating device (30) illuminates not only the grip recess but also simultaneously the area outside the vehicle (23) which is located on the ground (24) near the vehicle door (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Dirk Mueller, Ralf Lennhoff, Sascha Pfeiffer