Patents by Inventor Ralph Neupert

Ralph Neupert 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: 20230375154
    Abstract: A display device and a motor vehicle having such a display device is disclosed. The display device has a display panel and a backlight for the display panel. The backlight has a reflector having a plurality of reflectively embodied cavities, and a plurality of light sources in each case arranged in the cavities. Moreover, the backlight has support elements, which are transparent to light emitted by the light sources and protrude at least partially into a gap between the cavities and an optical component arranged below the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Manrico Joseph, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 7040650
    Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, which gas bag can be transferred from a folded condition into a deployed condition and comprises a first chamber which has an inflation opening, and a second chamber which is in flow connection with the first chamber. The first chamber is generally elongate in the deployed condition and the second chamber is connected with the first chamber at a side face of the first chamber, so that the gas bag is asymmetrical. A limiting strap is provided which extends across an outside of the second chamber and across part of an outside of the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Neupert, Michael Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6848706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a covering cap which is visible from the exterior in an installed state and covers an outlet opening for a gas bag. The module further comprises at least one display integrated in the covering cap and a lighting for the display provided on a rear face of the covering cap. The covering cap has a front wall visible from the exterior with a section covering the outlet opening, the section being connected in one piece with a display section lying over the lighting. In the display section, the covering is constructed so as to be transparent or translucent. The display section is made of a first material component of the covering cap and the covering cap includes a second material component which has a carrier layer in the form of a cup. The base of the cup forms the section closing the outlet opening and the peripheral wall of which laterally delimits an accommodation space for the gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6817624
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag which has a gas bag wall with a front wall section. The module further comprises a cover which has a given annular section which closes an annular outlet opening for the gas bag and has a stationary central portion which is surrounded by the annular section. A section of the gas bag wall other than the front section has an outflow opening which in a folded state of the gas bag is arranged beneath the central portion in such a manner that on outlet of the gas bag, the central portion arrives via the outflow opening into an interior of the gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6802534
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant and a depression starting from the front wall. The depression is formed in that during inflation of the gas bag a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving and is restrained. The gas bag has around the depression a ring-shaped chamber to be filled with gas. At least one limiting strap is provided which engages the gas bag wall at a transition from the front wall to the depression, substantially extends alongside the depression and determines a depth of the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6799774
    Abstract: An airbag module for occupant restraint systems in vehicles has a pot-like housing part (10) made of sheet metal to the base (14) of which a gas generator is attached and to the circumferential wall (16) of which, extending upwards from the base (14), an airbag (26) and a covering cap (12) made of plastic are attached. The covering cap (12) has a supporting wall (17) that is in contact with the outside of the circumferential wall (16) of the housing part (10). The supporting wall (17) is provided with cutouts (20). On the free edge of the circumferential wall (16) of the housing part (10) facing away from the base (14), there are arranged hook-shaped metal tabs (18) which pass through the cutouts (20) of the supporting wall (17) of the covering cap (12) and which are bent on their outside in the direction toward the base (14) of the housing part (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Udo Bieber, Matthias Helmstetter, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6752416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a covering cap which is visible from the exterior in an installed state and covers an outlet opening for a gas bag. The module further comprises at least one display integrated in the covering cap and a lighting for the display provided on a rear face of the covering cap. The covering cap has a front wall visible from the exterior with a section covering the outlet opening, the section being connected in one piece with a display section lying over the lighting. In the display section, the covering is constructed so as to be transparent or translucent. The display section is made of a first material component of the covering cap and the covering cap includes a second material component which has a carrier layer in the form of a cup. The base of the cup forms the section closing the outlet opening and the peripheral wall of which laterally delimits an accommodation space for the gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6655714
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraint device including a gas bag module which has a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint and has a depression defined by a ring-shaped gas bag wall portion. The depression is generated in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from movement when the gas bag is inflated. A holder is provided at the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion that keep parts of the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion, which get in contact with each other when the gas bag is inflated, in contact with each other in a fully inflated condition of the gas bag, and at least partly close the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6588794
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cover cap for a gas bag restraint module, which cover cap tears open for deployment of a gas bag, contains the step of treating the cap at least region-wise physically and/or chemically such that its material in a treated region has a lower strength than in an untreated state. The treated region is a predetermined tear-open region for allowing the gas bag to unfold. A cover cap made of plastic for a gas bag restraint module has a predetermined tear region. The cap has a higher brittleness at said tear region than in a remainder of said cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6554317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant and an indentation starting from the front wall. The indentation is formed in that a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving during inflation and is restrained. The gas bag has a ring-shaped chamber to be filled with gas and extends around the indentation. Arranged in the indentation is at least one limiting strap which extends along the indentation and has an end pointing out of the indentation and, related to an inflated condition of the gas bag, is attached to the gas bag wall at least at the end pointing out of the indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6540254
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger gas bag protection device which comprises a gas bag which, in relation to an inflated state, has a rear wall and a front wall which includes a center section and onto which a passenger strikes in the case of an accident. The gas bag, from a viewpoint of the passenger, has a round outer contour with a specific width and height in the inflated state. The width of the outer contour distinctly exceeds the height. In the inflated state the front wall has a depression opening out to the outside in the manner of a slit. The slit runs in a direction of the width of the gas bag. A restraint means is provided and the depression is formed in that on inflation of the gas bag a center section of the front wall is prevented from moving by means of the restraint means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020185846
    Abstract: A gas bag for a vehicle occupant restraint system, which gas bag can be transferred from a folded condition into a deployed condition and comprises a first chamber which has an inflation opening, and a second chamber which is in flow connection with the first chamber. The first chamber is generally elongate in the deployed condition and the second chamber is connected with the first chamber at a side face of the first chamber, so that the gas bag is asymmetrical. A limiting strap is provided which extends across an outside of the second chamber and across part of an outside of the first chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Neupert, Michael Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20020153712
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a covering cap which is visible from the exterior in an installed state and covers an outlet opening for a gas bag. The module further comprises at least one display integrated in the covering cap and a lighting for the display provided on a rear face of the covering cap. The covering cap has a front wall visible from the exterior with a section covering the outlet opening, the section being connected in one piece with a display section lying over the lighting. In the display section, the covering is constructed so as to be transparent or translucent. The display section is made of a first material component of the covering cap and the covering cap includes a second material component which has a carrier layer in the form of a cup. The base of the cup forms the section closing the outlet opening and the peripheral wall of which laterally delimits an accommodation space for the gas bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Kreuzer, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020153711
    Abstract: An airbag module for occupant restraint systems in vehicles has a pot-like housing part (10) made of sheet metal to the base (14) of which a gas generator is attached and to the circumferential wall (16) of which, extending upwards from the base (14), an airbag (26) and a covering cap (12) made of plastic are attached. The covering cap (12) has a supporting wall (17) that is in contact with the outside of the circumferential wall (16) of the housing part (10). The supporting wall (17) is provided with cutouts (20). On the free edge of the circumferential wall (16) of the housing part (10) facing away from the base (14), there are arranged hook-shaped metal tabs (18) which pass through the cutouts (20) of the supporting wall (17) of the covering cap (12) and which are bent on their outside in the direction toward the base (14) of the housing part (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Udo Bieber, Matthias Helmstetter, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020121769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag which has a gas bag wall with a front wall section. The module further comprises a cover which has a given annular section which closes an annular outlet opening for the gas bag and has a stationary central portion which is surrounded by the annular section. A section of the gas bag wall other than the front section has an outflow opening which in a folded state of the gas bag is arranged beneath the central portion in such a manner that on outlet of the gas bag, the central portion arrives via the outflow opening into an interior of the gas bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020084641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraint device, comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a gas bag wall. The gas bag wall has a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint and has a depression defined by a ring-shaped gas bag wall portion. The depression is generated in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from movement when the gas bag is inflated. Holding means are provided at the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion that keep parts of the ring-shaped gas bag wall portion, which get in contact with each other when the gas bag is inflated, in contact with each other in a fully inflated condition of the gas bag, and at least partly close the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020084638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant and a depression starting from the front wall. The depression is formed in that during inflation of the gas bag a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving and is restrained. The gas bag has around the depression a ring-shaped chamber to be filled with gas. At least one limiting strap is provided which engages the gas bag wall at a transition from the front wall to the depression, substantially extends alongside the depression and determines a depth of the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20020084639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module comprising a gas bag, an outer contour of the gas bag being defined by a gas bag wall which has a front wall for the impact of an occupant and an indentation starting from the front wall. The indentation is formed in that a center portion of the gas bag wall is prevented from freely moving during inflation and is restrained. The gas bag has a ring-shaped chamber to be filled with gas and extends around the indentation. Arranged in the indentation is at least one limiting strap which extends along the indentation and has an end pointing out of the indentation and, related to an inflated condition of the gas bag, is attached to the gas bag wall at least at the end pointing out of the indentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Patent number: 6357787
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag module cover, comprising at least one opening portion for closing an outlet opening, and a predetermined tear line along which the cover is opened in a restraint situation and which defines one opening portion of the cover. The gas bag module further comprises at least one first hinge portion provided on the cover the opening portion remaining connected with the cover via the first hinge portion when the cover is opened. The opening portion has at least one second hinge portion which divides the opening portion into partial sections and allows a movement of the partial sections relative to each other. Further, the invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel which is equipped with such a gas bag module cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Lorenz, Ralph Neupert
  • Publication number: 20010052691
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passenger gas bag protection device which comprises a gas bag which, in relation to an inflated state, has a rear wall and a front wall which includes a center section and onto which a passenger strikes in the case of an accident. The gas bag, from a viewpoint of the passenger, has a round outer contour with a specific width and height in the inflated state. The width of the outer contour distinctly exceeds the height. In the inflated state the front wall has a depression opening out to the outside in the manner of a slit. The slit runs in a direction of the width of the gas bag. A restraint means is provided and the depression is formed in that on inflation of the gas bag a center section of the front wall is prevented from moving by means of the restraint means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert