Patents by Inventor Stefan Centmayer

Stefan Centmayer 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: 7448765
    Abstract: An exterior vehicle mirror assembly is disclosed having a holding arm connection with reduced wind turbulence comprising a holding arm having a first end and a second end for attachment to the vehicle. A mirror head is carried by the holding arm having a mirror element. A connection device is disposed between the mirror head to the holding arm having opposing convex sides including a convex mounting side and a convex wind encountering side. The convex mounting side providing an enlarged mounting surface disposed toward the mirror head. The connection device has a contoured cradle for engaging the enlarged mounting surface of the convex mounting side of the holding arm with the opposing convex side of the holding arm being aerodynamically exposed to the on coming wind. A fastener tightly fastens the holding arm and connection device together so that a reliable connection with reduced turbulence is provided for the mirror head and the holding arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Markus Meier, Stefan Centmayer, Ralf Wattenbach, Jaap-Jan Snel
  • Patent number: 7370984
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a holding component and clamping parts to clamp the mirror assembly to the holding component. Alternative embodiments of the holding component and clamping parts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 7357522
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a holding tube carried by a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing framing configured to encase a portion of the holding tube and to attach with a mirror element. A clamping bracket is also configured to encase a portion of the holding tube and to attach with the housing frame. A projection formed with one of the housing framing and the clamping bracket is positioned to extend into the holding tube when encased by the clamping bracket and housing framing. Connectors are engaged with the housing framing, clamping bracket and the extension locking them in position relative to each other and the holding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Emmanuel Courbon, Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20080073477
    Abstract: A first linkage component including a ball socket having a concave profiling and a second linkage component including a projection having a convex profiling received in the concave profiling of the ball socket. A sliding plate carried between the ball socket and projection having a convex profiling conforming to the concave profiling of the ball socket and a concave profiling conforming to the convex profiling of the projection. The convex profilings of the projection and sliding plate have a larger radius of curvature than the concave profilings of the sliding plate and the ball socket. A connecting rod connects the first linkage component, the second linkage component, and the sliding plate together. Wherein the larger radius of curvature of the convex profiling of the sliding plate and projection causes the projection and sliding plate to be further received in the ball socket after abrasive wear to prevent play between components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20080060165
    Abstract: A retaining hinged connection, with a more simple assembly operation, having fewer components than does the conventional retaining hinges. An outside mirror is proposed to be engaged with such a retaining hinged connection. The connection is achieved in that the retaining axle component is designed with at least one retaining element and advantageously including a compression spring. This invention eliminates the use of bolts for securing the hinge assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Stefan Centmayer, Sebastian Heger, Werner Lang
  • Publication number: 20080063465
    Abstract: A sliding structure and a joint member, which are provided with a sliding means which substantially eliminates the so-called Stick-Slip effect. This is achieved through the provision of free ends of a plurality of projections, sliding upon the surface of a complementary opposed and facing surface. By appropriately dimensioning the individual free end contact surfaces of the projections and by selectively varying in the number of the projections per area unit, the difference between the initial still-stand holding effect and the sliding friction in the case of selected material pairings is considerably reduced. The force, which is necessary to set the two sliding components into motion, relative to one another, is then only insignificantly greater than the force necessary to overcome dynamic or sliding friction. The Stick-Slip effect is known and unavoidable in a case with a sliding pair of unfavorable materials and, in this manner, can be effectively reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Jaap-Jan Snel, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20070103803
    Abstract: An exterior vehicle mirror assembly is disclosed having a holding arm connection with reduced wind turbulence comprising a holding arm having a first end and a second end for attachment to the vehicle. A mirror head is carried by the holding arm having a mirror element. A connection device is disposed between the mirror head to the holding arm having opposing convex sides including a convex mounting side and a convex wind encountering side. The convex mounting side providing an enlarged mounting surface disposed toward the mirror head. The connection device has a contoured cradle for engaging the enlarged mounting surface of the convex mounting side of the holding arm with the opposing convex side of the holding arm being aerodynamically exposed to the on coming wind. A fastener tightly fastens the holding arm and connection device together so that a reliable connection with reduced turbulence is provided for the mirror head and the holding arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Markus Meier, Stefan Centmayer, Ralf Wattenbach, Jaap-Jan Snel
  • Publication number: 20070053087
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a holding tube carried by a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing framing configured to encase a portion of the holding tube and to attach with a mirror element. A clamping bracket is also configured to encase a portion of the holding tube and to attach with the housing frame. A projection formed with one of the housing framing and the clamping bracket is positioned to extend into the holding tube when encased by the clamping bracket and housing framing. Connectors are engaged with the housing framing, clamping bracket and the extension locking them in position relative to each other and the holding tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Emmanuel Courbon, Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 7048395
    Abstract: A detent joint interconnecting first and second hinge pieces of vehicle mirrors. The detent joint includes an axis of rotation around which the hinge pieces are pivoted. A spring urged detent element carried by one of the hinge pieces for movement along a plane transverse to the axis of rotation and is movable in a direction of engagement. The detent element includes a surface with at least two protruding teeth. The hinge also includes a counter surface with complementary cuts formed therein which act with the teeth of the detent element to provide that at least two teeth of the detent element engage with the complementarily cuts in the counter surface to provide a detent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Georg Hecht, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20050247847
    Abstract: A mounting plate for attaching a vehicle mirror assembly to a non-uniform surface of a vehicle body. The plate has an installation side for engaging the vehicle body, and a component side opposite the installation side for carrying components of the mirror assembly. A plurality of contact footings are laterally spaced on the installation side of the plate. Each of the contact footings has a bearing surface protruding beyond a surface plane of the installation side for bearing against the vehicle body when the plate is mounted so that a stable engagement is provided between the plate and the vehicle body on non-uniform surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Stefan Centmayer, Jaap-Jan Snel, Wolfgang Seiboth
  • Publication number: 20050052765
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a holding component configured to attach to the vehicle, a first clamping part configured to attach to the holding component and a second clamping part configured to attach to the holding component disposed opposite of the first clamping part. The second clamping part is further configured to fastenably hold a mirror. A first connection element is carried by one of said first and second clamping parts; and a second connection element is carried by the other of the first and second clamping parts. The first and second elements are connectable to secure the first clamping part and the second clamping part together. The first and second clamping parts have a recess, and the recesses generally encase the holding component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Applicant: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20050013024
    Abstract: A detent joint interconnecting first and second hinge pieces of vehicle mirrors. The detent joint includes an axis of rotation around which the hinge pieces are pivoted. A spring urged detent element carried by one of the hinge pieces for movement along a plane transverse to the axis of rotation and is movable in a direction of engagement. The detent element includes a surface with at least two protruding teeth. The hinge also includes a counter surface with complementary cuts formed therein which act with the teeth of the detent element to provide that at least two teeth of the detent element engage with the complementarily cuts in the counter surface to provide a detent position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Georg Hecht, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 6830352
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a holding component and clamping parts to clamp the mirror assembly to the holding component. Alternative embodiments of the holding component and clamping parts are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20040227049
    Abstract: A linkage arrangement for a rearview mirror is provided. One aspect includes a sliding piece, a first linkage component with a ball socket and a second linkage component with a projection configured to fit into the ball socket. A connection assembly connects the foregoing elements together. A variety of convex and concave profilings are provided on various surfaces of the elements to pivot the rearview mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20040184172
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a holding component and clamping parts to clamp the mirror assembly to the holding component. Alternative embodiments of the holding component and clamping parts are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20020080506
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a holding component and clamping parts to clamp the mirror assembly to the holding component. Alternative embodiments of the holding component and clamping parts are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC.
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20020027728
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having a mirror element attached to a carrier plate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a rearview mirror assembly with an exchangeable mirror element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20020027727
    Abstract: Proposed is a rearview mirror in which a reflective coating (16) is found on the outer side (12) of a mirror carrier (6). This carrier (6) then, no longer serves for the support of a separate mirror element, for instance, a glass plate or the like and further the carrier (6) is not provided on its own inner surface (14) with the reflective coating (16). In other words, the carrier (6), that is, the material of the carrier (6), need not show any special qualities of an optical nature. Thus, preparatory steps for the machining and finishing of the inner surface (14), such as polishing, before application of the reflective coating (16), which steps are expensive in time and cost, can be dispensed with, since the reflective coating (16) is, in the present invention, directly on the outside (12) of the said carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 6352348
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having a mirror element attached to a carrier plate is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of assembling a rearview mirror assembly with an exchangeable mirror element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Wolfgang Seiboth, Stefan Centmayer