Patents by Inventor Rolf Mintgen

Rolf Mintgen 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: 10028583
    Abstract: A closing device for closing a movably mounted drawer relative to a furniture carcass, including a catch piece releasably couplable with an entrainment mechanism of the drawer and mounted to be movable along a displacement portion, and an energy storage mechanism which is chargeable by a displacement movement of the catch piece. The catch piece includes a hold state at the end of and at the beginning of the displacement portion and the catch piece is locked in the hold state at the end of the displacement portion, holds the energy of the energy storage mechanism and allows the drawer to be decoupled. The catch piece is pivotable and carries out a pivoting movement along the displacement portion between the two holding states over a path of more than 20% of the displacement portion when the catch piece is displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Grass GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Erdel, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 9394738
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing a motor vehicle, the flap is swivalably mounted along one of its edge areas at a stationary structural component part about a horizontal swiveling axis. A first drive device and a second drive device act in parallel to more like flap from a closed position into an open position. The first drive device is a non-self-locking drive device, and the second drive device comprises a cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure. An interior of the second drive device is divided by a piston into a first work chamber and a second work chamber, wherein a piston rod of the piston is guided outward through the first work chamber. A valve arrangement in the piston closes a flow connection between the first work chamber and the second work chamber in a stationary operating state of the flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Frank Doffing, Rolf Mintgen, Thomas Reif
  • Publication number: 20160135595
    Abstract: A closing device for closing a movably mounted drawer relative to a furniture carcass, including a catch piece releasably couplable with an entrainment mechanism of the drawer and mounted to be movable along a displacement portion, and an energy storage mechanism which is chargeable by a displacement movement of the catch piece. The catch piece includes a hold state at the end of and at the beginning of the displacement portion and the catch piece is locked in the hold state at the end of the displacement portion, holds the energy of the energy storage mechanism and allows the drawer to be decoupled. The catch piece is pivotable and carries out a pivoting movement along the displacement portion between the two holding states over a path of more than 20% of the displacement portion when the catch piece is displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Tobias ERDEL, Rolf MINTGEN
  • Patent number: 9121467
    Abstract: A piston rod is connected to a piston and extends through a seal in the end face of a cylinder. A locking tube which surrounds the cylinder when the piston rod is retracted has a first end section mounted to the free end of the piston rod so that the locking tube is pivotable between a release position, wherein the locking tube is substantially coaxial to the piston rod, and a locking position, wherein the locking tube is inclined toward the piston rod. An opposed second end section has a supporting stop which can be positioned axially against the free end of the cylinder when the piston rod is extended and the locking tube is in the locking position. An actuable retaining device retains the locking tube in the locking position only by manually pivoting the locking tube into the locking position when the piston rod is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Born, Rolf Mintgen, Dirk Rennecke, Bernd Rosenstein, Yukio Ushida, Masaru Kaneko, Hiroshi Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20150159418
    Abstract: A device for moving a furniture flap of a piece of furniture is proposed, wherein the device has bearing means via which the furniture flap is movably accommodated on a furniture body. According to the invention, the device comprises a tension element arrangement, comprising a tension element and a drive motor for driving the tension element, in such a manner that, in the mounted state of the device, a first end of the tension element is received on a winding element and a second end of the tension element is assigned to the furniture flap, wherein the furniture flap is bringable out of a closed position relative to the furniture body into an open position by a winding-up operation of the tension element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Tobias ERDEL, Rolf MINTGEN
  • Publication number: 20140346940
    Abstract: A piece of furniture, a guide unit and an arrangement and a method for fitting a guide unit on a furniture part including a receiving device for coupling to hook means on the guide unit prior to the guide unit being fitted on a first furniture part for the first time, the receiving device configured such that, when the guide unit, together with the receiving device coupled thereto, is being fitted, an automatic connection is able to be established between the receiving device and the first furniture part, when contact between the two is made for the first time, via attachment means that act between the first furniture part and the receiving device and are provided thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Rolf MINTGEN
  • Publication number: 20140173988
    Abstract: A system for opening and closing a motor vehicle, the flap is swivalably mounted along one of its edge areas at a stationary structural component part about a horizontal swiveling axis. A first drive device and a second drive device act in parallel to more like flap from a closed position into an open position. The first drive device is a non-self-locking drive device, and the second drive device comprises a cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure. An interior of the second drive device is divided by a piston into a first work chamber and a second work chamber, wherein a piston rod of the piston is guided outward through the first work chamber. A valve arrangement in the piston closes a flow connection between the first work chamber and the second work chamber in a stationary operating state of the flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Marian BOCHEN, Frank Doffing, Rolf Mintgen, Thomas Reif
  • Publication number: 20130340607
    Abstract: A continuously blockable locking device with a cylindrical housing forming a work chamber, a closed first end and a second end located opposite from the closed end, a piston rod which is guided out of the housing in a sealed manner through the second end so as to be arranged coaxial to the center longitudinal axis by means of a guiding and sealing device, a piston which is arranged at the end of the piston rod situated in the housing and which divides the work chamber into a first work space, through which the piston rod extends, and a second work space, and a housing which is connected to, or can be connected to, the housing and which forms a valve chamber, a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly being arranged therein. The work chamber is always completely filled with a liquid medium and the valve chamber is at least partially filled with a liquid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Born, Frank Doffing, Thomas Klar, Rolf Mintgen, Gerd Müelhoefer, Timo Schumacher, Wilhelm Schwab
  • Publication number: 20130340606
    Abstract: A housing having a first housing end and a second housing end, a substantially cylindrical work chamber formed in the housing, a piston which is arranged in the work chamber so as to be displaceable and which divides the work chamber into a first work space near the first housing end and a second work space near the second housing end, a piston rod which is arranged at one side of the piston and which projects through the first work space and is guided out of the work chamber in a sealed manner at the first housing end through a guiding and sealing device, and a valve chamber which is formed in the housing parallel to the work chamber and in which a first valve assembly and a second valve assembly are arranged. The work chamber is always completely filled with a liquid medium and the valve chamber is at least partially filled with a liquid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Born, Frank Doffing, Thomas Klar, Rolf Mintgen, Gerd Muelhoefer, Timo Schumacher, Wilhelm Schwab
  • Patent number: 8240440
    Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a hatch which can pivot around a pivot axis, especially a hatch of a motor vehicle, by means of a piston-cylinder unit. The piston-cylinder unit has a closed cylinder filled with a pressurized fluid, the interior of the cylinder 6 being divided by a piston into a first working chamber and a second working chamber. A piston rod passes through the second working chamber and is guided to the outside through a seal at the end of the cylinder and then hinged to the hatch, whereas the other end of the cylinder is hinged to a stationary component. A through-opening leading from the first working chamber to the second working chamber, is provided in the piston. The through-opening can be opened by an electrically actuated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Kathrin Peifer, Moritz Starkmeth, Udo Wendland
  • Patent number: 8237317
    Abstract: A device for moving a movable structural component with respect to a stationary structural component includes a first fastening element which can be fastened to the movable structural component, and a housing tube having a second fastening element which can be fastened to the stationary structural component. A spindle drive for moving the first fastening element axially relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position includes a spindle nut arranged on a threaded spindle. An electric motor arranged in the housing tube drives one of the spindle nut and the threaded spindle in rotation. A power supply for supplying power to the electric motor includes a power output stage arranged in the housing tube, wherein the power output stage is shielded from electrical and magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 7992460
    Abstract: A drive device for a hatch of a motor vehicle, wherein a spindle drive is provided with a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle, by which drive the first fastening element and the housing tube can be driven axially relative to each other. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by an electric motor. The threaded spindle has a thread with a lead that changes over the length of the threaded spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter
  • Patent number: 7975994
    Abstract: A displacement element includes a first piston, a second piston, a cylindrical housing filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston rod, and a spring. Each of the pistons is adapted to the respective internal diameter of its section and divides the respective section into two pressure chambers. The first piston is arranged at one end of the piston rod, and both pistons each include means for damping the movement of the piston rod respectively in one direction. The second piston is arranged on the side of the first piston facing away from the piston rod and is capable of displacement by means of the first piston in a direction facing away from the open end. The spring is arranged on the side of the second piston facing away from the first piston, and supported by the second piston and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Born, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Dirk Rennecke, Wilhelm Schwab
  • Patent number: 7900530
    Abstract: A drive device for a hatch of a motor vehicle, wherein a spindle drive is provided with a threaded spindle and a spindle nut mounted on the threaded spindle, by which drive the first fastening element and the housing tube can be driven axially relative to each other. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by an electric motor, where the output shaft of the motor can rotate the threaded spindle or a connecting component of a clutch. The spindle drive can be rotatably driven by two or more series-connected electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen, Christian Schindlatz, Oliver Schüttler
  • Patent number: 7900756
    Abstract: A push-type gas spring has a pressure tube having a pressure tube connector element for the external attachment of the push-type gas spring. The gas spring also has a piston, which is operable to slide back and forth axially in the pressure tube and has a piston rod, where the piston rod extends out of the pressure tube from a first end surface of the pressure tube and has a piston rod connector element for the external attachment of the push-type gas spring. So that tensile forces can be applied to the pressure tube connector element and the piston rod connector element, the pressure tube and the pressure tube connector element are connected to each other by a pressure tube tension element extending axially alongside the piston rod and/or the piston rod and the piston rod connector element are connected to each other by a piston rod tension element extending axially alongside the pressure tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 7806244
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit includes a closed cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure, a piston dividing the cylinder into a first working chamber and a second working chamber, and a piston rod extending through the second working chamber. A passage through the piston connects the first working chamber to the second working chamber, and a valve closing member is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein the member closes the passage. A solenoid includes a coil, a coil core, and an armature in the piston, the armature driving the valve closing member between the closed position and the open position in response to a magnetic field produced by a current applied to the coil, the cylinder forming a magnetic field guide tube. The coil is supplied with current by a power line in the piston rod, and may be grounded to the piston rod or the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Thomas Ehre, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 7798556
    Abstract: An opening device for a flap of a vehicle, in particular for a rear flap, pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis on the upper edge of an opening in the vehicle body from a closed position into an open position having a gas-filled spring coupled to the body by the free end of its piston rod at a distance from the pivot axis and coupled to the flap by its pressure tube at a distance from the pivot axis. The gas-filled spring in the exload direction applies a force to the flap in the opening direction. Furthermore, an actuator can act on the flap in the opening direction. The actuator is an energy accumulator which, applies a force to the flap during its opening stroke from the closed position until a relaxed position of the energy accumulator is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Arenz, Michael Kleinmann, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Andreas Ritter, Heiko Schilken
  • Patent number: 7784772
    Abstract: A spring system has a first pulling part with a first fastening element connected by a tension spring to a second pulling part with a second fastening element. The pulling parts are moveable relative to one another so as to increase or relieve stressing on the tension spring. A damping device damps the movement of the pulling parts in relation to one another. A cylinder is fastened on the first pulling part and a piston 3 is axially displacesably arranged therein, subdividing the interior of the cylinder into a first cylinder chamber and a second cylinder chamber. A piston rod connected to the piston is arranged on the second pulling part. The interior of the cylinder is connected to the surroundings via one or more restrictor openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Knopp, Karl-Heinz Darscheid, Stefan Bonnekessel, Rainer Massmann, Rolf Mintgen, Torsten Rickenberg, Jörg-Erwin Scheuer, Dirk Schweinberger, Daniel Herbst, Joachim Völlinger
  • Patent number: 7703377
    Abstract: A piston/cylinder unit is disclosed. The piston/cylinder unit includes a pressure tube having one end; a piston rod axially movable in the pressure tube, the piston rod extending through the one end of the pressure tube so that a portion of the piston rod is disposed outside the pressure tube; a casing tube attached to the portion of the piston rod, the casing tube at least partially enveloping the pressure tube; and a bush attached to the pressure tube, wherein the bush is disposed between the casing tube and the pressure tube so that the casing tube is axially movable relative to the pressure tube via the bush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Mintgen, Jörg Hillen, Peter Kohns
  • Publication number: 20090320627
    Abstract: A device for moving a movable structural component with respect to a stationary structural component includes a first fastening element which can be fastened to the movable structural component, and a housing tube having a second fastening element which can be fastened to the stationary structural component. A spindle drive for moving the first fastening element axially relative to the housing between an extended position and a retracted position includes a spindle nut arranged on a threaded spindle. An electric motor arranged in the housing tube drives one of the spindle nut and the threaded spindle in rotation. A power supply for supplying power to the electric motor includes a power output stage arranged in the housing tube, wherein the power output stage is shielded from electrical and magnetic fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Marian Bochen, Rolf Mintgen