Patents by Inventor Reinhold Opper

Reinhold Opper 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: 10512966
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Ruben Gutierrez Romero
  • Publication number: 20170246676
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Reinhold OPPER, Ruben Gutierrez ROMERO
  • Patent number: 9649683
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Ruben Gutierrez Romero
  • Patent number: 9409227
    Abstract: Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool that can be moved by a programmable handling device and on which is mounted a magazine for accommodating at least one fastener. The method comprises: moving the magazine to a filling station, wherein the filling station has an always continuously open tube section with an outlet opening; orienting the magazine with respect to the outlet opening; opening an air seal of the magazine; and conveying at least one fastener to the tube section in such a manner that the fastener travels through the tube section and the outlet opening to reach the magazine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Ivo, Joachim Moeser, Stefan Lippert, Alexander Pohl, Reinhold Opper
  • Publication number: 20150224564
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold OPPER, Ruben Gutierrez ROMERO
  • Patent number: 9050648
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Ruben Gutierrez Romero
  • Patent number: 9015920
    Abstract: A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Dieter Mauer, Hermann Roeser, Reinhold Opper, Andreas Wojcik, Christian Schoenig
  • Patent number: 8881367
    Abstract: A method for production of a joining component, the method comprising the steps of providing a metal section which is inductively heatable and defines an axial through aperture; and coating the metal element with a thermoplastic material by a single-component injection-molding of a base body of the joining component around the metal section so that the base body includes: a holding section formed as a cylindrical shaft and a flange, the flange including a first and second sides, and an inner side of the metal section is joined to the flange and an exposed outer side of the metal section faces away from the flange; and a the second side of the flange is axially recessed within the aperture; and a joining surface is comprised of the outer side of the metal section and a portion of the second side of the flange radially outward of the metal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert Schmitt, Andreas Becker, Reinhold Opper, Michael Schmidt, Reimar Saltenberger
  • Patent number: 8741081
    Abstract: A method for joining a fastening element on to a surface portion of a component, the fastening element having an adhesion face, on to which there is applied an adhesive that is thermally meltable and thermally settable, comprising the steps of: pre-heating the adhesive to a first temperature (T1), in order to activate the adhesive; pre-heating the surface portion to a second temperature (T2); and placing the adhesion face on to the surface portion; the adhesive undergoing main heating, to a third temperature (T3), after the adhesion face has been placed on to the surface portion, in order to set the adhesive and thereby permanently fasten the fastening element to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignees: Newfrey LLC, Audi AG
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert Schmitt, Carsten Baer, Reinhold Opper, Simon Dietz
  • Publication number: 20140091495
    Abstract: A method for production of a joining component, the method comprising the steps of providing a metal section which is inductively heatable and defines an axial through aperture; and coating the metal element with a thermoplastic material by a single-component injection-moulding of a base body of the joining component around the metal section so that the base body includes: a holding section formed as a cylindrical shaft and a flange, the flange including a first and second sides, and an inner side of the metal section is joined to the flange and an exposed outer side of the metal section faces away from the flange; and a the second side of the flange is axially recessed within the aperture; and a joining surface is comprised of the outer side of the metal section and a portion of the second side of the flange radially outward of the metal section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert SCHMITT, Andreas BECKER, Reinhold OPPER, Michael SCHMIDT, Reimar SALTENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20140007424
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold OPPER, Ruben Gutierrez ROMERO
  • Patent number: 8555490
    Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The invention is distinguished in that the holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Ruben Gutierrez Romero, Georg Hufner, Leonhard Will
  • Patent number: 8556532
    Abstract: A joining component, for axial joining to a workpiece, comprises a base body composed of thermoplastic material and including a holding section and a flange section, with a joining surface including both a portion of the flange section and a metal section which can be heated inductively. The metal section is in this case integrated in the flange section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert Schmitt, Andreas Becker, Reinhold Opper, Michael Schmidt, Reimar Saltenberger
  • Patent number: 8523505
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement having a first fastening part which is connected to a metal sheet and has a first threaded section, and having a second fastening part which has a second threaded section which engages with the first threaded section, with the fastening parts fixing an electrical connecting part such that an electrical connection is formed between the connecting part and the metal sheet. A cover part is fixed to the first fastening part in an end position and, in a covering position, has covered at least a part of the first threaded section until the second threaded section has engaged with the first threaded section and, in the process, the cover part has been moved from the covering position to the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Jochen Hain
  • Publication number: 20130072047
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement having a first fastening part which is connected to a metal sheet and has a first threaded section, and having a second fastening part which has a second threaded section which engages with the first threaded section, with the fastening parts fixing an electrical connecting part such that an electrical connection is formed between the connecting part and the metal sheet. A cover part is fixed to the first fastening part in an end position and, in a covering position, has covered at least a part of the first threaded section until the second threaded section has engaged with the first threaded section and, in the process, the cover part has been moved from the covering position to the end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Jochen Hain
  • Patent number: 8361270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for axial joining of a hybrid joining component to a workpiece, wherein the joining component has a thermoplastic joining section and a metal section which can be heated, having the following steps: moving the joining component into contact with a surface of the workpiece; heating of the metal section such that the joining section at least partially melts; ending the heating of the metal section such that the joining component makes a force-fitting, interlocking and/or integral connection with the surface of the workpiece. In this case, the joining component is held with a regulated force and/or in a regulated position with respect to the workpiece at least during the heating of the metal section, in such a manner that the joining component can be joined to the surface of the workpiece without any opposing support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert Schmitt, Andreas Becker, Reinhold Opper, Michael Schmidt, Reimar Saltenberger
  • Publication number: 20120301262
    Abstract: Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool that can be moved by a programmable handling device and on which is mounted a magazine for accommodating at least one fastener. The method comprises: moving the magazine to a filling station, wherein the filling station has an always continuously open tube section with an outlet opening; orienting the magazine with respect to the outlet opening; opening an air seal of the magazine; and conveying at least one fastener to the tube section in such a manner that the fastener travels through the tube section and the outlet opening to reach the magazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Hubert Ivo, JOACHIM MOESER, STEFAN LIPPERT, ALEXANDER POHL, Reinhold Opper
  • Patent number: 8287219
    Abstract: A fastening arrangement having a first fastening part which is connected to a metal sheet and has a first threaded section, and having a second fastening part which has a second threaded section which engages with the first threaded section, with the fastening parts fixing an electrical connecting part such that an electrical connection is formed between the connecting part and the metal sheet. A cover part is fixed to the first fastening part in an end position and, in a covering position, has covered at least a part of the first threaded section until the second threaded section has engaged with the first threaded section and, in the process, the cover part has been moved from the covering position to the end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold Opper, Jochen Hain
  • Publication number: 20120227889
    Abstract: A method for joining a fastening element on to a surface portion of a component, the fastening element having an adhesion face, on to which there is applied an adhesive that is thermally meltable and thermally settable, comprising the steps of: pre-heating the adhesive to a first temperature (T1), in order to activate the adhesive; pre-heating the surface portion to a second temperature (T2); and placing the adhesion face on to the surface portion; the adhesive undergoing main heating, to a third temperature (T3), after the adhesion face has been placed on to the surface portion, in order to set the adhesive and thereby permanently fasten the fastening element to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Klaus-Gisbert Schmitt, Carsten Baer, Reinhold Opper, Simon Dietz
  • Publication number: 20120204406
    Abstract: A method for attaching at least one connection part on a workpiece comprises the steps of: providing a premounted contact-making unit including a first attachment element and a holding unit on which the first attachment element is held rotatable relative to the holding unit; inserting at least one connection part into the holding unit so that the connection part makes contact with the first attachment element; and connecting the first attachment element to a second attachment element which is secured to the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: Reinhold OPPER, Jochen HAIN, Michael KRENGEL