Patents by Inventor Reinhard Buhl
Reinhard Buhl 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).
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Publication number: 20030077114Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, comprising a joint housing 1 with a housing recess 2, a pivot pin 4, which is mounted in the housing recess with its joint ball 3 provided with a surface protection, and whose pin section protrudes from a housing opening 18, with a bearing shell 5 arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball, and with a closing ring 7, which closes the housing recess of the joint housing and tensions the bearing shell arranged therein in the joint housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: Klaus Brker, Martin Rechtien, Wolfgang Kleiner, Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 6511084Abstract: An axle suspension of rigid axles is presented, on the axle body (1) of which a steering triangle (2) as well as two longitudinal control arms (3, 4), which are located at spaced locations from the steering triangle and have different vertical positions, and additionally a stabilizing device (5) are arranged. The steering triangle has two control arms (2.1 and 2.2), which form an angle with one another and are fastened to a central joint (2.3), on the one hand, and are connected to the vehicle body via a guiding joint (2.4 and 2.5) each, on the other hand.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: ZF Lemförder MetallwarenInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Wilfried Lustig, Werner Schmudde
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Publication number: 20020154941Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint is provided with a joint housing which is open on at least one side with a housing recess, with a joint pin mounted in the housing recess with its joint ball provided with a surface protection. A pin section projects from a housing opening. A bearing shell is arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball. A sealing bellows is provided between the joint housing and the joint pin. A sealing element, which is under elastic pretension in sliding contact with the joint ball, is arranged between the joint housing and the joint ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: Klaus Broker, Reinhard Buhl, Wolfgang Kleiner, Martin Rechtien
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Publication number: 20020125673Abstract: An axle suspension for rigid axles of vehicles, especially air-cushioned utility vehicles, with: a twistable four-point connecting rod (4), which is connected above the said vehicle axle (3) to the said vehicle axle (3). The twistable four-point connecting rod (4) is connected to the vehicle body (1, 2), on the other hand, via two said joints (5, 6, 7, 8) each, which are arranged at spaced locations from one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. At least one spring assembly unit (19, 20) per vehicle side is located for springing between the said vehicle axle (3) and the said vehicle body (1, 2). A axle strut (21) for axle guiding, extends approximately in the middle of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connects the said vehicle axle (3) to the said vehicle body (1, 2) in a vertically movable manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: Holger Bublies, Reinhard Buhl, Uwe Cossmann, Reinhard Richter, Werner Schmudde
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Patent number: 6129367Abstract: An axle suspension for rigid axles in vehicles, especially utility vehicles, with longitudinal control arms extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connecting the vehicle axle to the vehicle body in a vertically movable manner. The longitudinal control arms are arranged for axle guiding on each side of the vehicle approximately at the same level. A four-point torsional connecting element is articulated to the vehicle axle, on the one hand, and to the vehicle body, on the other hand. The four-point torsional connecting element is arranged above the vehicle axle and is connected as a flexible cross to the vehicle axle and to the vehicle body via two body and axle joints located at spaced locations from one another in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The arms of the four-point connecting rod are designed in whole as a one-piece forged part and are girders subject to bending with an approximately rectangular cross section. One of the arms has a predetermined breaking point.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1998Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: Zf Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Holger Bublies, Reinhard Buhl, Uwe Cossmann
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Patent number: 6113302Abstract: The present innovation pertains to a ball-and-socket joint for wheel suspensions in motor vehicles including a joint ball provided at the end of a ball pin, bearing shell made of plastic for mounting the joint ball, housing which accommodates the bearing shell and which is closed by an inner cover on one side, and from which the ball pin exits on the side opposite the cover, an outer bushing for mounting the joint in a motor vehicle via an elastomeric layer arranged adhesively between the housing and the outer bushing and a movable flange which is rigidly arranged on the outside of the housing and is provided on its radial outer surface with elastomeric coating. The outer bushing of the ball joint is provided with a circular radial flange on a side of the outer cover. The circular radial flange is fixed together with the outer cover by deformation of the material of the edge of the mounting bushing of the motor vehicle part.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventor: Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 6113303Abstract: A metallic ball pin of a universal joint, preferably one with high load-bearing capacity, for motor vehicles, which is mounted movably in all directions in a bearing shell of a housing with a joint ball 2 designed at one end of a pin stump 1. To improve its functional properties and to reduce its manufacturing costs, a machined joint ball 2 with a through-hole 5 is nonrotatably attached to a fastening pin 4 of a pin stump 1 manufactured by cold forming in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pin stump 1, and it is held by deforming the fastening pin 4.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1995Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: ZF Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Wilfried Lustig
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Patent number: 5711544Abstract: An axle suspension for rigid axles in vehicles, especially utility vehicles, in which at least one longitudinal control arm is arranged on each side of the vehicle approximately at the same level. The control arms extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connect the vehicle axle vertically movably to the vehicle body. At a different level, a triangle pull rod is articulated to the vehicle axle and to the vehicle body centrally and laterally offset. A stabilizer bar including a torsion spring bar counteracting lateral tilting movements by torsional stresses is also provided. The stabilizer bar is arranged directly between the longitudinal control arms. The ends of the stabilizer bar are connected to the longitudinal control arms in the manner of a universal joint, but rotating in unison.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventor: Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 5653545Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint for motor vehicles, in which a joint ball, provided at the end of a pin, is inserted, with a bearing shell surrounding the joint ball, into a pot-shaped housing and is held by a closing ring. The closing ring can be connected to the open housing edge. One end of a gasket is adhesively connected, preferably by vulcanization, to the cylindrical inner jacket surface as well as to an adjoining area of the outer surface of the closing ring, which area extends at right angles to the inner jacket surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1994Date of Patent: August 5, 1997Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Franz-Josef Moormann, Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 5499550Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering is presented, in which an at least partially hollow cylindrical rack is used to ventilate and evacuate the bellows and in which at least one evacuation groove is prepared in the connection pin of the ball joint housing. The evacuation groove feeds or removes the air from the interior of the bellows via the hollow cylindrical rack corresponding to the direction of movement of the steering system.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Paul Westphal, Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 5419214Abstract: A mounting for a shift lever (1) for the mechanical remote control of a selector shaft of a gear change box in motor vehicles, in which the shift lever (1) is mounted pivotably around a selection axis and around a shifting axis, which is at right angles thereto, by means of a spherical part (2) of a universal joint in a bearing box (4) in a housing (3) that is a rigid part of the body, and is connected by coupling members (7, 16) to a sliding selector shaft of a gear change box. The coupling members for transmitting the movement of the shift lever to the sliding selector shaft are connected, articulated around an axle (9, 12) each, to the spherical part (2) of a universal joint, wherein the axle extends in one pivoting plane of the shift lever (1) at right angles to the pivot axis of the shift lever in the other direction of pivoting.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Wolfgang Kleiner, Volker Grube, Alfons Nordloh, Metin Ersoy
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Patent number: 5340220Abstract: A pivoting bearing for mounting pull rods in motor vehicles, which includes a metallic housing (2) with a cylindrical inner jacket, a metallic inner part (1), and an elastomer body (3) arranged between the housing (2) and the inner part (1). The elastomer body (3) compensates axial, radial, and cardanic movements of the housing (2) in relation to the inner part (1) by molecular deformation. The elastomer body (3), which cooperates with the cylindrical inner jacket of the housing radially in the outward direction, is arranged adheringly on the inner part (1) and is pre-tensioned axially between plate rings (4, 5). The external diameter of the plate rings (4 and 5) is undersized compared with the internal diameter of the inner jacket of the housing. A sliding surface is obtained on the cylindrical outer jacket of the elastomer body under the axial pre-tensioning of this. This sliding surface permits rotary movement of the inner part (1) in the housing (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1992Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Ruediger Sprang, Andreas Vossel, Werner Schmudde, Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 5318373Abstract: A ball joint for chassis parts in motor vehicles is described, in which a hinge pin 1 with a spherical part 2 is mounted in a housing 3 by a bearing box 4. The hinge pin is led through an opening 6 out of the housing 3. The housing 3 is sealed by a lid 7, on the opposite side. In this case, the housing is placed in a rigid external bushing 10 with an elastomer sleeve 9 surrounding the housing. Radial surfaces on the housing 3, as well as on the external bushing 10, limit the axial movement of the housing 3 with respect to the external bushing. The radial surfaces of the housing 3 are formed by the two flat sides of a collecting plate 15, which can be firmly connected to the housing 3 first in the assembly of the joint. The collecting plate 15 engages with an axial moving space between arranged radial surfaces of the external bushing 10.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Hans Dubielzig, Klaus Kramer, Reinhard Richter
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Patent number: 5104136Abstract: A steering tie rod or similar strut for motor vehicles with a securing member (4) acting in the longitudinal direction of the steering tie rod is described, which securing member comes into action when a defined, axially acting load value is exceeded. In another variant of the present invention, the length of the steering tie rod may undergo a limited change after the securing member has been overcome, so that limited fitness for use of the vehicle is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1990Date of Patent: April 14, 1992Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Burkhard Schafer, Paul Westphal, Wolfgang Kleiner, Volker Grube
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Patent number: 5092704Abstract: To improve the corrosion protection at the connection site of the sealing cuff and the ball pivot, it is proposed, in a design in which the sealing cuff engages with an edge profile in a complementary profile of a retaining ring rigidly attached to the ball pivot, that at least the part (12) of the retaining ring (10) which is supported by the edge of the bearing lug (6) consists of a material whose value in the electrochemical series is lower than that of the material of the bearing lug (6) and of the ball pivot (2). By this construction the material of the retaining ring acts as an electrolytic sacrificial anode.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1990Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Wolfgang Kleiner
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Patent number: 5029488Abstract: A bearing for a gear shift lever for the mechanical remote control of the selector shaft of a gear change unit in motor vehicles includes a stationary housing pivot which supports a gear shift lever in such a manner that it can swivel around a selection axis and also around a change axis lying at an angle in relation to it. The gear shift lever is in addition jointed by a sliding selector shaft with the gear shift shaft in a gear change box or transmission. The gear change lever is supported in a movable bearing that can swivel around a defined axis. The movable bearing in turn can swivel around another redefined axis. Also, the lever is pivotal with a limited degree of freedom, around a main axis positioned through the center of the selection axis and also is pivotal at a link connection with the sliding selector shaft. The pivotal bearing housed in the stationary housing part is attached to the body.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1989Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Reinhard Buhl, Ulrich Stockert, Andreas Schmidt
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Patent number: 4971473Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for motor vehicles includes a joint ball (1) provided on a pivot pin (2) mounted movably in a sliding shell (4) made of plastic. A zone of grooves (8) are provided for receiving lubricant on an inner surface of the sliding shell. The sliding shell is inserted into a housing (5) whose inner wall closely surrounds the outer wall of the sliding shell (4). In the zone of the grooves receiving the lubricant, flat recesses (9), which permit radial deformation of the sliding shell (4) in the direction toward the housing, are provided between the housing (5) and the sliding shell (4).Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1989Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventors: Burkhard Schafer, Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 4883263Abstract: A molecular joint for axle struts, connecting rods, and similar parts of motor vehicles comprising a substantially cylindrical housing having a joint pivot lying approximately in the middle axis of the housing, and a sleeve-like joint body of an elastomer material, which is arranged between the housing and the joint pivot and adheres to both, with a prestressing. On the inner surface of the housing, there is provided a material recess in a central or middle zone, which reduces the prestress of the sleeve-like joint body in this zone an thereby produces a progressive characteristic of the molecular joint in the direction of loading.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1988Date of Patent: November 28, 1989Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventor: Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 4790681Abstract: The invention relates to a holding ring for seal bellows on a track rod or shank of a universal pivot member of motor vehicles. The ring comprises a rubber or another material having comparable properties, and, secured against axial displacement, but rotatably mounted on the track rod. The holding ring is, at least on a surface area in contact with the track rod, supplied with a hardened, smoothed molecular structure. This alteration of the molecular structure is achieved preferentially by chlorination.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1987Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventor: Reinhard Buhl
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Patent number: 4765770Abstract: The self adjusting pivot joint with axial play for motor vehicles includes a housing and a pivot, rotatably seated at one end therein by means of a bearing of elastically deformable material, slitted in the lengthwise direction, whereby the outer conical bearing is fitted into a corresponding conical recessed portion of the housing and a prestressed spring is loaded in the direction of the conical tip, between the bearing, on one end, and a closing part of the housing, on the other. The pivot is provided with a peripheral recessed portion, which extends by its width in the direction of the lengthwise axis of the pivot and engages with an inner projection of the bearing, the width of which is less than that of the peripheral recess of the pivot.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Lemforder Metallwaren AGInventor: Reinhard Buhl