Patents by Inventor Thomas Kreuz
Thomas Kreuz 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).
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Publication number: 20230373552Abstract: An adjustment device for a steering wheel may have a first shaft about which the steering wheel is pivotable. A rotary latch is rotationally fixed to the steering wheel by a rotary latch element. A second shaft is arranged in parallel with the first shaft. A coupling lever is arranged on the second shaft to interact with the rotary latch element. The coupling lever has a stop surface which, for the purpose of engagement, engages in at least one corresponding stop surface of the rotary latch element when the steering wheel, and thus also the rotary latch, is pivoted. At least one of the stop surfaces may have a chamfer via which the coupling lever can be displaced or is displaced out of the engagement with the rotary latch element when a predetermined force is applied to the steering wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Heinz-Joachim KLEIN, Markus SCHAPS, Thorsten JANSSEN, Martin FASSBENDER, Thomas KREUZ, Philipp KÜPPER
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Patent number: 11352043Abstract: A steering wheel for a transport vehicle comprises a hub and a rim which extends around the hub, wherein the rim is pivotably supported between a steering position and at least one non-steering position about a tilting axis. The steering wheel has at least one releasable locking arrangement having a hub-side hub locking device and a rim-side rim locking device for blocking the pivoting by use of mutual engagement. The hub locking device and the rim locking device are configured to engage with each other with spacing from the tilting axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Martin Faßbender, Philipp Kuepper, Klemens Degle, Bruno Alves, Thomas Kreuz
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Publication number: 20220073123Abstract: A steering wheel for a transport vehicle comprises a hub and a rim which extends around the hub, wherein the rim is pivotably supported between a steering position and at least one non-steering position about a tilting axis. The steering wheel has at least one releasable locking arrangement having a hub-side hub locking device and a rim-side rim locking device for blocking the pivoting by use of mutual engagement. The hub locking device and the rim locking device are configured to engage with each other with spacing from the tilting axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Martin Faßbender, Philipp Kuepper, Klemens Degle, Bruno Alves, Thomas Kreuz
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Patent number: 9840859Abstract: A motor vehicle sliding door can be moved by a sliding movement between open and closed positions, wherein, in order to lock the sliding door in the open position, a mechanical door stop in the form of a locking latch which has a receiving region for a catch element of the sliding door is provided, and wherein the locking latch can be released by a motorized actuation device, whereby the catch element is released. In the event of failure of the motorized actuation device of the locking latch, for an intuitive unlocking and locking of the sliding door in the open position thereof may be achieved in that the locking latch has a resiliently loaded overload lever, in that the overload lever forms a lateral portion of the receiving region of the locking latch and in that, when the locking latch is locked, the overload lever can be pivoted outward when a specific pushing force of the sliding door is exceeded.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Daniel Hahnenberg, Thomas Kreuz, Mirko Lehmkuhl, Werner Jakobs, Lars Reifenstein, Thomas Benderoth
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Patent number: 9487977Abstract: A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a sliding door arrester to prevent the sliding door from inadvertently closing during a deceleration event. The sliding door arrestor includes a base fixed relative to a guide rail and a locking element pivotally attached to the base. The locking element includes a mass and a lock. The locking element rotates relative to the base during a deceleration event of the vehicle to engage the lock with a biasing member to prevent movement of a sliding element that is displaceable along the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Thomas Kreuz
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Publication number: 20160083984Abstract: A motor vehicle sliding door can be moved by a sliding movement between open and closed positions, wherein, in order to lock the sliding door in the open position, a mechanical door stop in the form of a locking latch which has a receiving region for a catch element of the sliding door is provided, and wherein the locking latch can be released by a motorized actuation device, whereby the catch element is released. In the event of failure of the motorized actuation device of the locking latch, for an intuitive unlocking and locking of the sliding door in the open position thereof may be achieved in that the locking latch has a resiliently loaded overload lever, in that the overload lever forms a lateral portion of the receiving region of the locking latch and in that, when the locking latch is locked, the overload lever can be pivoted outward when a specific pushing force of the sliding door is exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Daniel Hahnenberg, Thomas Kreuz, Mirko Lehmkuhl, Werner Jakobs, Lars Reifenstein, Thomas Benderoth
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Publication number: 20150008681Abstract: A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a sliding door arrester to prevent the sliding door from inadvertently closing during a deceleration event. The sliding door arrestor includes a base fixed relative to a guide rail and a locking element pivotally attached to the base. The locking element includes a mass and a lock. The locking element rotates relative to the base during a deceleration event of the vehicle to engage the lock with a biasing member to prevent movement of a sliding element that is displaceable along the guide rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventor: Thomas KREUZ
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Patent number: 8882159Abstract: A sliding door for a motor vehicle includes a sliding door arrester to prevent the sliding door from inadvertently closing during a deceleration event. The sliding door arrestor includes a base fixed relative to a guide rail and a locking element pivotally attached to the base. The locking element includes a mass and a lock. The locking element rotates relative to the base during a deceleration event to engage the lock with a biasing member to prevent movement of a sliding element that is displaceable along the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas Kreuz
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Publication number: 20130049377Abstract: Disclosed is a door arrester for sliding doors of motor vehicles which may be moved between a closed position and an open position. The door arrester includes a latching cam which may be brought into engagement with a latching element that is arranged on the sliding door and is displaceable in a guide rail, for blocking the sliding door in the open position. A locking element is provided for locking the movement of the latching cam, said locking element being movable by means of negative acceleration between a position of release and a locked position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Inventor: Thomas Kreuz