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).

  • Publication number: 20250067328
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2024
    Publication date: February 27, 2025
    Inventors: Jan Haupt, Hanspeter Putzer, Thomas Messner
  • Patent number: 12203507
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Kurt Thomaser, Peter Raffin, Thomas Messner, Hanspeter Putzer
  • Publication number: 20240288036
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Kurt Thomaser, Peter Raffin, Thomas Messner, Hanspeter Putzer
  • Publication number: 20150300785
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: SURVIVABILITY SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. LAMPARTER, Sorin COMAN, Hugh S. MCLEOD, Thomas MESSNER
  • Publication number: 20140216242
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Survivability Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Sorin Coman, Hugh S. McLeod, Thomas Messner
  • Publication number: 20140216241
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Survivability Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lamparter, Sorin Coman, Hugh S. McLeod, Thomas Messner
  • Patent number: 8002358
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Marriott, Paul Smith, Thomas Grzybowski, Thomas Messner
  • Patent number: 7914045
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20090178254
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 7516711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith
  • Publication number: 20080309111
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Brandon Marriott, Paul Smith, Thomas Grzybowski, Thomas Messner
  • Publication number: 20080001388
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: Takata Seat Belts, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Messner, Richard Jodts, Steve Marzi, Marco Amaya, Juan Espinosa, Carlos Camarillo, Paul Smith