Patents by Inventor Thomas Christoffel

Thomas Christoffel 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: 8398044
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat (3) has a first seat rail (5) fixed to the vehicle structure and arranged on a vehicle floor (10) and a second seat rail (8) fixed to the seat and displaceable in relation to the first seat rail (5) and guided in same. A position detection device (20) is provided with a sensor (24), having a magnet and a Hall element. The sensor (24) is arranged in the interior of the second seat rail (8) and aligned with a flat area associated with the first seat rail (5) in which one end of the flat area corresponds to the end of the rail and the flat area forms a detection area. The sensor (24) is used to detect an end of the detection area. The sensor (24) has a certain detection range and the distance between the sensor (24) and the detection area lies within the certain detection range of the sensor (24). The distance between the sensor (24) and the vehicle floor (10) lies outside of the certain detection range of the sensor (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Norbert Heeg, Wolfgang Pluta
  • Publication number: 20120266643
    Abstract: In order to produce a formed part furnished with a through hole, a rod material is advanced by a defined length in the direction of its lengthwise extension into a forming die through a stationary guide and then immobilised by a clamping arrangement that engages with it circumferentially. The end portion of the rod material is then axially swaged by a swaging tool and is thus shaped into a disc, the circumference of which is defined by the forming die. The disc is then penetrated axially by a dishing tool and impact extruded at the same time, the displaced material flowing between the dishing tool and the inner circumferential wall of the forming die. The formed part located in the forming die is then rotated coaxially relative to the rest of the rod material and thereby separated from the rest of the rod material by torsion shearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: HATEBUR UMFORMMASCHINEN AG
    Inventors: Christian Burgin, Thomas Christoffel, Andreas Matt, Patrick Stemmelin, Mihai Vulcan
  • Patent number: 8226169
    Abstract: A lock (10) is provided for a vehicle, particularly for a vehicle seat that interacts with a counterelement (B) in the locked state. The lock includes a catch (15) pivotally supported about a first bearing pin (14), having a holder (15a) for the counterelement (B) and a functional surface (15b), and at least one securing element (20, 22) pivotally supported about a second bearing pin (18). The securing element interacts in the locked state, at least intermittently, with the functional surface (15b) in order to secure the locked state of the lock (10). The counterelement (B) approaches the functional surface (15b), the catch (15) having a contact lug (30) that comes into contact with the counterelement (B) approaching the functional surface (15b) before the counterelement (B) can come into contact with the functional surface (15b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Olaf Kreuels, Thomas Christoffel
  • Publication number: 20110017897
    Abstract: A longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat (3) has a first seat rail (5) fixed to the vehicle structure and arranged on a vehicle floor (10) and a second seat rail (8) fixed to the seat and displaceable in relation to the first seat rail (5) and guided in same. A position detection device (20) is provided with a sensor (24), having a magnet and a Hall element. The sensor (24) is arranged in the interior of the second seat rail (8) and aligned with a flat area associated with the first seat rail (5) in which one end of the flat area corresponds to the end of the rail and the flat area forms a detection area. The sensor (24) is used to detect an end of the detection area. The sensor (24) has a certain detection range and the distance between the sensor (24) and the detection area lies within the certain detection range of the sensor (24). The distance between the sensor (24) and the vehicle floor (10) lies outside of the certain detection range of the sensor (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas CHRISTOFFEL, Norbert Heeg, Wolfgang Pluta
  • Publication number: 20100102614
    Abstract: A lock (10) is provided for a vehicle, particularly for a vehicle seat that interacts with a counterelement (B) in the locked state. The lock includes a catch (15) pivotally supported about a first bearing pin (14), having a holder (15a) for the counterelement (B) and a functional surface (15b), and at least one securing element (20, 22) pivotally supported about a second bearing pin (18). The securing element interacts in the locked state, at least intermittently, with the functional surface (15b) in order to secure the locked state of the lock (10). The counterelement (B) approaches the functional surface (15b), the catch (15) having a contact lug (30) that comes into contact with the counterelement (B) approaching the functional surface (15b) before the counterelement (B) can come into contact with the functional surface (15b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Olaf Kreuels, Thomas Christoffel
  • Patent number: 7455336
    Abstract: In the case of a locking device (1), in particular for a vehicle seat, with a housing (3); a latch (11) which is arranged in the housing (3), is pivotably mounted on a first bearing element (13) and is intended for locking with a mating element (B); and at least one securing element (25, 27) which is likewise arranged in the housing (3), is pivotably mounted on a second bearing element (23) and secures a locked state by interaction with the latch (11), the housing (3) has at least one insert (6) of a higher strength material, and at least one of the bearing elements (13, 23) and the insert (6) are joined together and are at least partially encased by a softer material, forming the housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Carsten Bäumchen, Volker Windecker, Thomas Christoffel
  • Publication number: 20080191535
    Abstract: A locking device (1) in a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle seat, is provided with a base plate (3) which has a receptacle (5) for a counter element (B). At least one clamping eccentric (11) is mounted pivotably on the base plate (3) by means of a first bearing pin (9) and normally, on account of prestressing, secures the counter element (B) in the receptacle (5). At least one intercepting component (21) is likewise mounted pivotably on the base plate (3) and, in the event of a crash, leads to the counter element (B) being supported. The clamping eccentric (11) and the intercepting component (21) act directly on the counter element (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Carsten Baumchen, Peter Muller, Thomas Christoffel
  • Publication number: 20070170341
    Abstract: In the case of a locking device (1), in particular for a vehicle seat, with a housing (3); a latch (11) which is arranged in the housing (3), is pivotably mounted on a first bearing element (13) and is intended for locking with a mating element (B); and at least one securing element (25, 27) which is likewise arranged in the housing (3), is pivotably mounted on a second bearing element (23) and secures a locked state by interaction with the latch (11), the housing (3) has at least one insert (6) of a higher strength material, and at least one of the bearing elements (13, 23) and the insert (6) are joined together and are at least partially encased by a softer material, forming the housing (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Carsten Baumchen, Volker Windecker, Thomas Christoffel
  • Patent number: 7188906
    Abstract: In the case of a locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having an open housing (5), a latch (11) which is mounted pivotably on the housing (5) and is intended for locking with a mating element (B), and at least one securing element (25, 31) which is likewise mounted pivotably on the housing (5) and, by interaction with the latch (11), secures a locked state, the locking mechanism (1) is attachable to a structural part (41), and the structural part (41) forms the cover for the substantial closing of the housing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Volker Windecker, Peter Müller, Kadir Yasaroglu, Holger Trautmann, Carsten Bäumchen
  • Publication number: 20060234678
    Abstract: The present invention can be used to facilitate the integration of wireless capability provided by wireless access points into an enterprise computer network. A gateway server is interposed between wireless access points and protected networks to provide security and integration functions, for example, authentication, access control, link privacy, link integrity, and bandwidth metering in various embodiments. Use of such a gateway server allows substantial control to be gained over network access even with the use of relatively simple access points. In general, such a gateway server receives a request to access the protected network. An authentication subsystem of the gateway server authenticates the user, preferably by accessing an external authentication server and returns a role to the authenticated user. An access controller in the gateway server provides differential access to the protected network based on the user's assigned role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Applicant: Bluesocket, Inc.
    Inventors: David Juitt, Philip Bates, Thomas Christoffel, Geoffrey Crawshaw, David Crosbie
  • Publication number: 20060208505
    Abstract: In the case of a locking mechanism (1), in particular for a vehicle seat, with a housing (3) having a base plate (5), a latch (1) which is arranged in the housing (3), is mounted pivotably and is intended for latching with a mating element (B), and at least one securing element (25, 27), which is likewise arranged in the housing (3), is mounted pivotably and, by interaction with the latch (11), secures a locked state, the outer side of the base plate (5) is designed as a panel and/or covering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Carsten Baumchen
  • Patent number: 7044552
    Abstract: In the case of a locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a pivotably mounted pawl (11) for locking to a mating element (B), and having at least one securing element (25, 31) which secures a locked state by interaction with a first functional surface (21) of the pawl (11), and secures an opened state by interaction with a second functional surface (41) of the pawl (11), the securing element (25, 31) exerts an opening moment on the pawl (11) in the opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Müller, Thomas Christoffel, Kadir Yasaroglu, Holger Trautmann
  • Patent number: 7042988
    Abstract: The present invention can be used to facilitate the integration of wireless capability provided by wireless access points into an enterprise computer network. A gateway server is interposed between wireless access points and protected networks to provide security and integration functions, for example, authentication, access control, link privacy, link integrity, and bandwidth metering in various embodiments. Use of such a gateway server allows substantial control to be gained over network access even with the use of relatively simple access points. In general, such a gateway server receives a request to access the protected network. An authentication subsystem of the gateway server authenticates the user, preferably by accessing an external authentication server and returns a role to the authenticated user. An access controller in the gateway server provides differential access to the protected network based on the user's assigned role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Bluesocket, Inc.
    Inventors: David Juitt, Philip Bates, Thomas Christoffel, Geoffrey Crawshaw, David Crosbie
  • Publication number: 20060006673
    Abstract: In the case of a locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having an open housing (5), a latch (11) which is mounted pivotably on the housing (5) and is intended for locking with a mating element (B), and at least one securing element (25, 31) which is likewise mounted pivotably on the housing (5) and, by interaction with the latch (11), secures a locked state, the locking mechanism (1) is attachable to a structural part (41), and the structural part (41) forms the cover for the substantial closing of the housing (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Volker Windecker, Peter Muller, Kadir Yasaroglu, Holger Trautmann, Carsten Baumchen
  • Publication number: 20050212338
    Abstract: In the case of a locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a pivotably mounted pawl (11) for locking to a mating element (B), and having at least one securing element (25, 31) which secures a locked state by interaction with a first functional surface (21) of the pawl (11), and secures an opened state by interaction with a second functional surface (41) of the pawl (11), the securing element (25, 31) exerts an opening moment on the pawl (11) in the opened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Peter Muller, Thomas Christoffel, Kadir Yasaroglu, Holger Trautmann
  • Patent number: 6805410
    Abstract: In a fitting for a vehicle seat, particularly an automobile seat, having two fitting parts (5, 8) which are pivotable relative to one another, thus allowing pivoting of a backrest (12) of the vehicle seat (3) between at least one sitting position and a table position and/or a reclining position, with the fitting having a pawl (15) which is pivolably borne on a first fitting part (5) and acting jointly with at least one single locking element (18, 32) of the second fitting part (8) to lock the fitting (1), the pawl (15) locks the fitting (1) in the sitting position as well as in the table and/or reclining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Kadir Yasaroglu
  • Patent number: 6715841
    Abstract: In a device, particularly a locking device (11) for a vehicle seat, with at least one casing component (13) and at least one bearing (15) for bearing at least one pivotable element (23), the bearing (15) is tooled by plastic transformation as a first draw-through (15) in the first casing component (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Martin Kraus, Kadir Yasaroglu, Peter Müller
  • Publication number: 20040036339
    Abstract: In a fitting for a vehicle seat, particularly an automobile seat, having two fitting parts (5, 8) which are pivotable relative to one another, thus allowing pivoting of a backrest (12) of the vehicle seat (3) between at least one sitting position and a table position and/or a reclining position, with the fitting having a pawl (15) which is pivotably borne on a first fitting part (5) and acting jointly with at least one single locking element (18, 32) of the second fitting part (8) to lock the fitting (1), the pawl (15) locks the fitting (1) in the sitting position as well as in the table and/or reclining position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Kadir Yasaroglu
  • Publication number: 20030102709
    Abstract: In a device, particularly a locking device (11) for a vehicle seat, with at least one casing component (13) and at least one bearing (15) for bearing at least one pivotable element (23), the bearing (15) is tooled by plastic transformation as a first pull-through (15) in the first casing component (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Christoffel, Martin Kraus, Kadir Yasaroglu, Peter Muller
  • Publication number: 20030087629
    Abstract: The present invention can be used to facilitate the integration of wireless capability provided by wireless access points into an enterprise computer network. A gateway server is interposed between wireless access points and protected networks to provide security and integration functions, for example, authentication, access control, link privacy, link integrity, and bandwidth metering in various embodiments. Use of such a gateway server allows substantial control to be gained over network access even with the use of relatively simple access points. In general, such a gateway server receives a request to access the protected network. An authentication subsystem of the gateway server authenticates the user, preferably by accessing an external authentication server and returns a role to the authenticated user. An access controller in the gateway server provides differential access to the protected network based on the user's assigned role.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: BLUESOCKET, INC.
    Inventors: David Juitt, Philip Bates, Thomas Christoffel, Geoffrey Crawshaw, David Crosbie