Patents by Inventor Stephan Gitzen

Stephan Gitzen 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: 12703439
    Abstract: A wind deflector system for at least partially covering a gap between a pulling vehicle and a pulled vehicle coupled to the pulling vehicle is described, having at least one deflector element attachable to a vehicle. At least one deflector element includes a base body with at least one air-permeable surface section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignee: Jost-Werke Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: José Algüera, Stephan Gitzen, Michael Fischer
  • Patent number: 12703443
    Abstract: A coupling device for a towing vehicle with an object detection device attached to the coupling device, wherein the coupling device has a coupling body in form of a fifth wheel plate and a locking mechanism, with which a coupling device in form of a kingpin is releasably held on the coupling body in its end position (E), wherein the coupling body includes an available space which is limited by a coupling device guiding contour and extends along a longitudinal axis (x), wherein the coupling device is at least partially immersed during coupling into the available space until reaching an end position (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2026
    Assignee: Jost-Werke Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Müller, Benjamin Kaufhold, Steffen Haber, Stephan Gitzen, Anton Schlemm
  • Patent number: 12630236
    Abstract: Kingpin assembly for a semitrailer of a road train, including a king pin defining an axis of rotation (A), a pivot bearing arranged around the axis of rotation (A), and a holder connected to the pivot bearing and pivotable around the axis of rotation (A) for indirectly or directly holding an electrical and/or electromagnetic and/or pneumatic and/or hydraulic connecting means wherein the king pin includes a king pin flange for mounting the king pin indirectly or directly to the semitrailer, wherein the pivot bearing includes a fixed bearing ring or a fixed bearing ring segment relative to the king pin and a bearing ring or a bearing ring segment rotatable relative thereto, wherein the holder is fixed to the rotatable bearing ring and wherein a support element, which is axially spaced from the rotatable bearing ring and abuts directly against the king pin, is connected to the holder and is adjustable in length in the radial direction (R) with respect to the axis of rotation (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: Jost-Werke Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: José Manuel Algüera, Steffen Haber, Stephan Gitzen, Rudolf Schlotthauer, Alexander Bockius, Paul Hansen
  • Publication number: 20260070618
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a king pin arrangement, a semitrailer, a king pin and a method for detecting a driving state of a semitrailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Inventors: Paul HANSEN, José Manuel ALGÜERA GALLEGO, Stephan GITZEN, Swen SAUPE
  • Publication number: 20260042328
    Abstract: A plug device for a plug-type coupling system between a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The plug device has a first plug half, which is paired with a first vehicle and which includes a first housing and a plurality of contact elements arranged in the housing, and a second plug half, which is paired with the second vehicle and which includes a second housing and a plurality of contact elements arranged in the second housing, wherein the contact elements on the first plug half are plug sockets and the contact elements of the second plug half are contact pins which contact the plug sockets when the first and second plug halves approach are brought together in a plug-in axis. At least one contact element is fitted in a plug element which is movably mounted in the plug-in axis with respect to the corresponding first or second housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: José Manuel ALGÜERA, Swen SAUPE, Stephan GITZEN
  • Publication number: 20260042395
    Abstract: A camera system for the accurate coupling of a trailer vehicle to a tractor vehicle, having a first camera that is attachable to the tractor vehicle and provides first image data, and a second camera that provides second image data and is attached in an offset manner on one of the vehicle axes (x, y, z) of the tractor vehicle with respect to the first camera, wherein the first and second image data are displayed as a common screen motif on a display device installed in the driver's cab. The first and second cameras are oriented such that a safety-relevant region (SD) behind the tractor vehicle is recorded by the first camera and a coupling-relevant region (SR), in which a coupling element, to be controlled, of the trailer vehicle is discernible, is recorded by the second camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 12, 2026
    Inventors: Michael FISCHER, Stephan GITZEN, Benjamin KAUFHOLD, Mark MÜLLER
  • Publication number: 20240158024
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cover, which at least partially covers a gap (S) formed between a pulling vehicle and a pulled vehicle of a truck-trailer combination, by at least one actuator arranged to adjust the cover. In the method, a relative position and/or a relative orientation between the pulling vehicle and the pulled vehicle is determined, and the actuator is actuated depending on the relative position and/or the relative orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: José ALGÜERA, Stephan GITZEN, Michael FISCHER
  • Publication number: 20240149954
    Abstract: A wind deflector system for at least partially covering a gap between a pulling vehicle and a pulled vehicle coupled to the pulling vehicle is described, having at least one deflector element attachable to a vehicle. At least one deflector element includes a base body with at least one air-permeable surface section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: José ALGÜERA, Stephan GITZEN, Michael FISCHER
  • Publication number: 20240083525
    Abstract: Kingpin assembly for a semitrailer of a road train, including a king pin defining an axis of rotation (A), a pivot bearing arranged around the axis of rotation (A), and a holder connected to the pivot bearing and pivotable around the axis of rotation (A) for indirectly or directly holding an electrical and/or electromagnetic and/or pneumatic and/or hydraulic connecting means wherein the king pin includes a king pin flange for mounting the king pin indirectly or directly to the semitrailer, wherein the pivot bearing includes a fixed bearing ring or a fixed bearing ring segment relative to the king pin and a bearing ring or a bearing ring segment rotatable relative thereto, wherein the holder is fixed to the rotatable bearing ring and wherein a support element, which is axially spaced from the rotatable bearing ring and abuts directly against the king pin, is connected to the holder and is adjustable in length in the radial direction (R) with respect to the axis of rotation (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: José Manuel Algüera, Steffen Haber, Stephan Gitzen, Rudolf Schlotthauer, Alexander Bockius, Paul Hansen
  • Publication number: 20240083527
    Abstract: An alignment system for approaching a vehicle to a target object spatially spaced therefrom, including an object detection device attached to the vehicle and a coupling element, which in an end position detachably holds the target object, the object detection device being aligned in the direction of the target object and the data from the object detection device being used to generate an image in which the target object together with a guide marker can be seen during the approach of the vehicle. The guide marker is applied to at least one component of the vehicle arranged in an entry area of the coupling element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Mark MÜLLER, Benjamin KAUFHOLD, Steffen HABER, Stephan GITZEN, Yurtsever ENDER, Daniel JACOBS
  • Publication number: 20240067280
    Abstract: A coupling device for a towing vehicle with an object detection device attached to the coupling device, wherein the coupling device has a coupling body in form of a fifth wheel plate and a locking mechanism, with which a coupling device in form of a kingpin is releasably held on the coupling body in its end position (E), wherein the coupling body includes an available space which is limited by a coupling device guiding contour and extends along a longitudinal axis (x), wherein the coupling device is at least partially immersed during coupling into the available space until reaching an end position (E).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Mark MÜLLER, Benjamin KAUFHOLD, Steffen HABER, Stephan GITZEN, Anton SCHLEMM
  • Patent number: 11840178
    Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling with a camera, including a coupling plate and a bearing element, with which the coupling plate can be secured to a towing vehicle, wherein the coupling plate has a centrally arranged locking region for receiving a king pin, as well as an insertion opening running along a longitudinal axis (x) and bordered on both sides by two insertion flanges. The camera is mounted in a position in the region of the fifth wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage, with the camera being secured to the bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: JOST-WERKE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Gitzen, Mark Müller, Swen Saupe
  • Patent number: 11766903
    Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling including a coupling plate and a camera, wherein the coupling plate is supported on a towing vehicle by bearing elements, a centrally arranged locking region for receiving a king pin, a support surface at least partially laterally surrounding the locking region for supporting a trailer, as well as an insertion opening running radially from the locking region, which is bordered in a conically widened section on both sides by insertion flanges. The camera is mounted in a position in the region of the fifth wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage, with the camera being arranged on one of the insertion flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: JOST-WERKE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Stephan Gitzen, Mark Müller, Swen Saupe
  • Publication number: 20230054406
    Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling including a coupling plate and a camera, wherein the coupling plate is supported on a towing vehicle by bearing elements, a centrally arranged locking region for receiving a king pin, a support surface at least partially laterally surrounding the locking region for supporting a trailer, as well as an insertion opening running radially from the locking region, which is bordered in a conically widened section on both sides by insertion flanges. The camera is mounted in a position in the region of the fifth wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage, with the camera being arranged on one of the insertion flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Stephan GITZEN, Mark MÜLLER, Swen SAUPE
  • Publication number: 20230026584
    Abstract: A fifth wheel coupling with a camera, including a coupling plate and a bearing element, with which the coupling plate can be secured to a towing vehicle, wherein the coupling plate has a centrally arranged locking region for receiving a king pin, as well as an insertion opening running along a longitudinal axis (x) and bordered on both sides by two insertion flanges. The camera is mounted in a position in the region of the fifth wheel coupling with the lowest possible risk of soiling and damage, with the camera being secured to the bearing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Stephan GITZEN, Mark MÜLLER, Swen SAUPE
  • Publication number: 20210300136
    Abstract: A plug-in coupling system for connecting a motorized vehicle and a transport unit, including a plug-in device which can be mounted on the transport unit side and has a plug, and a plug socket which can be mounted on the vehicle side and into which the plug can be inserted in an operating state. The plug and the plug socket (9) have at least one transmitter and at least one receiver of a contactless communication system having a short range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: José Manuel ALGÜERA, Stephan GITZEN
  • Patent number: 10913318
    Abstract: A hitching apparatus includes a towing vehicle-side hitch component, a towed vehicle-side hitch component, a towing vehicle-side insertion connector component having at least one insertion connector configuration as an interface of a towing vehicle-side supply lead for transferring energy and/or information, a towed vehicle-side insertion connector component having at least one insertion connector configuration as an interface of a towed vehicle-side supply lead for transferring energy and/or information, a towing vehicle-side alignment component separate from the towing vehicle-side hitch component and arranged thereon, which carries the towing vehicle-side insertion connector component, and a towed vehicle-side alignment component separate from the towed vehicle-side hitch component and arranged thereon, which carries the towed vehicle-side insertion connector component. One alignment component includes an alignment configuration and is movable relative to the hitch component carrying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: JOST-WERKE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: José Manuel Algüera, Stephan Gitzen, Achim Strütt
  • Publication number: 20180370306
    Abstract: A hitching apparatus includes a towing vehicle-side hitch component, a towed vehicle-side hitch component, a towing vehicle-side insertion connector component having at least one insertion connector configuration as an interface of a towing vehicle-side supply lead for transferring energy and/or information, a towed vehicle-side insertion connector component having at least one insertion connector configuration as an interface of a towed vehicle-side supply lead for transferring energy and/or information, a towing vehicle-side alignment component separate from the towing vehicle-side hitch component and arranged thereon, which carries the towing vehicle-side insertion connector component, and a towed vehicle-side alignment component separate from the towed vehicle-side hitch component and arranged thereon, which carries the towed vehicle-side insertion connector component. One alignment component includes an alignment configuration and is movable relative to the hitch component carrying it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: José Manuel Algüera, Stephan Gitzen, Achim Strütt