Patents by Inventor Rudiger Menz

Rudiger Menz 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).

  • Steering wheel for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7950690
    Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Martin Deitmerg, Ralf Böbel, Klaus Nieding, Frank Bläsing, Holger Lettmann, Rüdiger Menz
  • Steering wheel for a motor vehicle
    Publication number: 20050204857
    Abstract: A steering wheel (13) for a motor vehicle includes a steering wheel module (1) supporting electrical/electronic subassemblies (18). The steering wheel module is inserted from a front side of the steering wheel into a center of the steering wheel in order to be attached to the steering wheel. A lower end of the steering wheel module forms a torsion module (8) of a torque detection device for a steering power-assist system. The torsion module is operable to receive and be attached to a steering spindle (14) of a steering column on the back side of the steering wheel in order to attach the steering wheel to the steering spindle when the steering wheel module is attached to the steering wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfeld, Martin Deitmerg, Ralf Bobel, Klaus Nieding, Frank Blasing, Holger Lettmann, Rudiger Menz
  • Functional module
    Patent number: 5944534
    Abstract: A steering column module electrically connected to the electrical system of a vehicle with the fewest number of connector parts is attached to the outer tube of a steering column of the motor vehicle. The module includes a carrier and functional units attached to the carrier. The carrier is attached to the outer tube of the steering column. Plug-in connector parts are provided on the lower sides of the functional units. A plate-shaped distributing device having upper and lower sides is also included. The distributing device encompasses the steering column and is aligned perpendicular thereto. The distributing device includes mating connector parts on its upper side and a plug-in connector arrangement on its lower side. Each mating connector part is coupled to a respective one of the plug-in connector parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ernst Wilhelm Hoffmann, Rudiger Menz, Jorg Welschholz