Patents by Inventor Thomas Messner
Thomas Messner 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: 20250067328Abstract: An actuator assembly comprises a housing part with a sleeve-shaped portion and a flange-shaped portion, a ball ramp mechanism with a support ring and an setting ring, wherein at least the support ring is radially spaced from an outer face of the sleeve-shaped portion; an actuating element which is held axially movably coaxially to the ball ramp mechanism on the flange-shaped portion of the housing part, an annular gap being formed between the outer face of the sleeve-shaped portion and the actuating element; and a spring element which is arranged radially outside an actuating face of the actuating element axially between the housing part and the actuating element in order to exert a restoring force on the actuating element. A differential assembly with such an actuator assembly is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2024Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Jan Haupt, Hanspeter Putzer, Thomas Messner
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Patent number: 12203507Abstract: A fluid guide assembly for a friction disk clutch comprises an inner disk carrier having a carrier portion, a shoulder portion, and a shaft portion. The carrier portion has a connecting structure for receiving inner disks in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner; and a fluid guide element which is fixedly connected to the inner disk carrier and which comprises an annular catching portion in which inflowing fluid can be caught, and a plurality of circumferentially distributed tab portions which extend in the axial direction and which each have a radial through-opening. The inner disk carrier has, directed radially outwardly, a plurality of longitudinal grooves which extend axially from the shoulder portion into the carrier portion and which are covered by tab portions of the fluid guide element.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: GKN Automotive LimitedInventors: Kurt Thomaser, Peter Raffin, Thomas Messner, Hanspeter Putzer
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Publication number: 20240288036Abstract: A fluid guide assembly for a friction disk clutch comprises an inner disk carrier having a carrier portion, a shoulder portion, and a shaft portion. The carrier portion has a connecting structure for receiving inner disks in a rotationally fixed and axially movable manner; and a fluid guide element which is fixedly connected to the inner disk carrier and which comprises an annular catching portion in which inflowing fluid can be caught, and a plurality of circumferentially distributed tab portions which extend in the axial direction and which each have a radial through-opening. The inner disk carrier has, directed radially outwardly, a plurality of longitudinal grooves which extend axially from the shoulder portion into the carrier portion and which are covered by tab portions of the fluid guide element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Kurt Thomaser, Peter Raffin, Thomas Messner, Hanspeter Putzer
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Publication number: 20150300785Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The seat includes a seat bottom frame and a seat back supported on the seat bottom frame. A support moveably supports the seat bottom frame. An energy absorbing device is coupled to the support and the seat bottom frame. The energy absorbing device is configured to absorb energy during relative movement of the seat bottom frame and the support. A pin extends from one of the seat bottom frame and the support and the other of the seat bottom frame and the support defines a slot slideably receiving the pin. The slot extends along an axis for limiting relative movement of the seat bottom frame and the support along the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: SURVIVABILITY SOLUTIONS LLCInventors: Ronald C. LAMPARTER, Sorin COMAN, Hugh S. MCLEOD, Thomas MESSNER
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Publication number: 20140216242Abstract: A device for a vehicle supports an occupant of the vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The device includes a pan for supporting the occupant. A first energy absorbing device is coupled to the pan and configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when a magnitude of the force reaches a first magnitude. A second energy absorbing device supports the first energy absorbing device and is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when the magnitude of the force reaches a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude. A third energy absorbing device supports the second energy absorbing device and is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force when the force reaches a third magnitude greater than the second magnitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Survivability Solutions LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Sorin Coman, Hugh S. McLeod, Thomas Messner
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Publication number: 20140216241Abstract: A seat supports an occupant of a vehicle and absorbs a force between the occupant and the vehicle created by relative movement between the occupant and the vehicle. The seat includes a seat back and a seat bottom frame supporting the seat back and extending from the seat back along an axis. A seat pan is moveably coupled to the seat bottom frame and an energy absorbing device is coupled to the seat bottom frame and the seat pan. The energy absorbing device is configured to absorb at least a portion of the force between the occupant and the vehicle when the seat pan moves relative to the seat bottom frame. A link is pivotably coupled to the seat pan and to the seat bottom frame and guides movement of the seat pan relative to the seat bottom frame away from the seat back along the axis when the seat pan moves relative to the seat bottom frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Survivability Solutions LLCInventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Sorin Coman, Hugh S. McLeod, Thomas Messner
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Patent number: 8002358Abstract: A seatbelt system for a bench seat is provided. The seatbelt system includes a first seatbelt device that includes seatbelt webbing with a latch, a buckle to receive the latch, and at least one adjustable turning loop that is configured to adjust the vertical position of the adjustable turning loop and, thus, the webbing for the seatbelt. The adjustable turning loop includes a continuous, folding cover to conceal the structural components of the adjuster mechanism and rail assembly and to protect these components from debris and undesirable interaction with the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.Inventors: Brandon Marriott, Paul Smith, Thomas Grzybowski, Thomas Messner
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Patent number: 7914045Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
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Publication number: 20090178254Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
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Patent number: 7516711Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
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Publication number: 20080309111Abstract: A seatbelt system for a bench seat is provided. The seatbelt system includes a first seatbelt device that includes seatbelt webbing with a latch, a buckle to receive the latch, and at least one adjustable turning loop that is configured to adjust the vertical position of the adjustable turning loop and, thus, the webbing for the seatbelt. The adjustable turning loop includes a continuous, folding cover to conceal the structural components of the adjuster mechanism and rail assembly and to protect these components from debris and undesirable interaction with the occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: Brandon Marriott, Paul Smith, Thomas Grzybowski, Thomas Messner
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Publication number: 20080001388Abstract: A support assembly is disclosed generally including a buckle component or components and a positioning member of flexible material that is arranged and configured to support the buckle component in a predetermined elevated position or predetermined positions for multiple components while also allowing for resilient shifting thereof. In the preferred form, the flexible material is belt webbing that has a plurality of fold portions folded and sewn together in a specific manner. Sew patterns are disclosed as well as methods and fixtures for forming the belt webbing positioning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: January 3, 2008Applicant: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith