Patents by Inventor Thomas Reif
Thomas Reif 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: 20230339550Abstract: A drive device for a hatch, in particular for a tailgate, comprising a cable, which is connected at one end to a cable pulley, which is configured to wind or unwind the cable according to the direction of rotation of the cable pulley, wherein the cable pulley is connected to a first superordinate assembly, such as a vehicle body, and which is connected at its other end to a second superordinate assembly, such as the hatch, which is pivotably attached relative to the first superordinate assembly, comprising an actuator, which is configured to drive the cable pulley, wherein the drive device furthermore comprises at least one deflection unit which has a deflection roll over which the cable runs between the cable pulley and the hatch.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Thomas Reif, Jörg Hillen
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Publication number: 20220228634Abstract: Provided is a brake device for braking a rotational movement of a shaft about the longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft is mounted so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis in a direction of rotation and in a counter direction which opposes the direction of rotation. Brake devices typically use constant and relatively high braking torques, to ensure a controlled movement of a movement portion, braked by the brake device, in every situation. However, this increases the energy consumption for a movement of the movement portion, and the wear of the brake device. A brake device equipped with a setting device for mutually opposing setting of a braking torque on the shaft during rotation of the shaft in the direction of rotation, and a counter braking torque during rotation of the shaft in the counter direction is provided. Also provided is a method for controlling a brake device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2020Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Thomas Reif, Jörg Hillen, Andreas Ritter, Peter Oster
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Publication number: 20220056750Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive device, comprising a cable which is connected at one end to a cable pulley, an actuator for driving the cable pulley, and a torsion bar which generates a torsional moment, wherein the torsion bar is supported on a higher-level assembly in such a way that it can move between a first and a second state of the torsion bar, wherein the torsion bar applies a torque in a first direction over a first partial movement range, applies a torque in a second direction opposite to the first direction over a second partial movement range, and does not apply torque over a third partial movement range. The present invention also relates to a superordinate hatch arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Thomas Reif, Jörg Hillen
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Patent number: 10947770Abstract: An adjusting device for a vehicle part that is movable relative to the body of a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle door or panel, includes a drive assembly having a drive unit and a connecting unit for connecting the drive assembly to a superordinate assembly, i.e. an assembly not part of the adjusting device, either the body of the vehicle or the movable vehicle part, an adjusting element which can be displaced relative to the drive assembly by means of the drive unit and which comprises, at the free end thereof, an additional connecting unit for connecting the adjusting element to a superordinate assembly, i.e. an assembly not part of the adjusting device, either the movable vehicle part or the body of the vehicle, one connecting unit is connected to the drive assembly at a point that is remote from the free end of the drive assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventor: Thomas Reif
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Publication number: 20200165858Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator, comprising a spindle drive, a first gear which causes a translational displacement of a first connection unit connected to the spindle drive, and a second gear which engages with the first gear and which is rotationally coupled to a second connection unit, wherein the actuator is designed such that a relative rotation of the two gears with respect to each other causes an actuation of the spindle drive and a displacement of the spindle drive relative to the central axis of the second gear. Furthermore, the invention relates to devices for supporting a pivot member, such as a door, with respect to a parent assembly, such as a vehicle body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2019Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Thomas Reif, Jörg Hillen
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Publication number: 20180163452Abstract: An adjusting device for a vehicle part that is movable relative to the body of a vehicle, in particular for a vehicle door or panel, includes a drive assembly having a drive unit and a connecting unit for connecting the drive assembly to a superordinate assembly, i.e. an assembly not part of the adjusting device, either the body of the vehicle or the movable vehicle part, an adjusting element which can be displaced relative to the drive assembly by means of the drive unit and which comprises, at the free end thereof, an additional connecting unit for connecting the adjusting element to a superordinate assembly, i.e. an assembly not part of the adjusting device, either the movable vehicle part or the body of the vehicle, one connecting unit is connected to the drive assembly at a point that is remote from the free end of the drive assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventor: Thomas Reif
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Patent number: 9394738Abstract: A system for opening and closing a motor vehicle, the flap is swivalably mounted along one of its edge areas at a stationary structural component part about a horizontal swiveling axis. A first drive device and a second drive device act in parallel to more like flap from a closed position into an open position. The first drive device is a non-self-locking drive device, and the second drive device comprises a cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure. An interior of the second drive device is divided by a piston into a first work chamber and a second work chamber, wherein a piston rod of the piston is guided outward through the first work chamber. A valve arrangement in the piston closes a flow connection between the first work chamber and the second work chamber in a stationary operating state of the flap.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Marian Bochen, Frank Doffing, Rolf Mintgen, Thomas Reif
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Patent number: 9021905Abstract: A driving device for a hatch in a vehicle with a first housing part connectable to a stationary base part or a movable structural component part, a second housing part connectable to the other, of the movable structural component part and the stationary base part, a spindle drive by which the first and second housing parts are movable axially relative to one another, a rotary drive that drives the spindle drive in rotation including a motor and a gear unit accommodated in a gear unit housing, and a braking device. The spindle drive includes a threaded spindle that has a first spindle portion and a braking spindle nut that is axially movable on the first spindle portion and a second spindle portion and a working spindle nut axially movable on the second spindle portion. The braking spindle nut cooperates with the braking device for applying a holding force to the spindle drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventor: Thomas Reif
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Publication number: 20140173988Abstract: A system for opening and closing a motor vehicle, the flap is swivalably mounted along one of its edge areas at a stationary structural component part about a horizontal swiveling axis. A first drive device and a second drive device act in parallel to more like flap from a closed position into an open position. The first drive device is a non-self-locking drive device, and the second drive device comprises a cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure. An interior of the second drive device is divided by a piston into a first work chamber and a second work chamber, wherein a piston rod of the piston is guided outward through the first work chamber. A valve arrangement in the piston closes a flow connection between the first work chamber and the second work chamber in a stationary operating state of the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Marian BOCHEN, Frank Doffing, Rolf Mintgen, Thomas Reif
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Patent number: 8127634Abstract: A driving device with a first and second fastening device which can be connected to a stationary base part, particularly a vehicle body, or can be connected to a movable structural component part, particularly a hatch or door of a vehicle, a spindle drive which has a threaded spindle and a spindle nut arranged on the threaded spindle and by which the first fastening device and the second fastening device are movable axially relative to one another, and a rotary drive which drives the spindle drive in rotation by an overload protection device, and the rotationally rigid connection thereof can be canceled when a determined torque is exceeded. The overload protection device is a ring element arranged on a driveshaft of the rotary drive.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Thomas Reif, Klaus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20110271776Abstract: A driving device for a hatch in a vehicle with a first housing part connectable to a stationary base part or a movable structural component part, a second housing part connectable to the other, of the movable structural component part and the stationary base part, a spindle drive by which the first and second housing parts are movable axially relative to one another, a rotary drive that drives the spindle drive in rotation including a motor and a gear unit accommodated in a gear unit housing, and a braking device. The spindle drive includes a threaded spindle that has a first spindle portion and a braking spindle nut that is axially movable on the first spindle portion and a second spindle portion and a working spindle nut axially movable on the second spindle portion. The braking spindle nut cooperates with the braking device for applying a holding force to the spindle drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventor: Thomas REIF
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Publication number: 20100162839Abstract: A driving device with a first and second fastening device which can be connected to a stationary base part, particularly a vehicle body, or can be connected to a movable structural component part, particularly a hatch or door of a vehicle, a spindle drive which has a threaded spindle and a spindle nut arranged on the threaded spindle and by which the first fastening device and the second fastening device are movable axially relative to one another, and a rotary drive which drives the spindle drive in rotation by an overload protection device, and the rotationally rigid connection thereof can be canceled when a determined torque is exceeded. The overload protection device is a ring element arranged on a driveshaft of the rotary drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Thomas Reif, Klaus Schmidt
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Publication number: 20090120003Abstract: A system for opening and closing a motor vehicle, the flap is swivalably mounted along one of its edge areas at a stationary structural component part about a horizontal swiveling axis. A first drive device and a second drive device act in parallel to more like flap from a closed position into an open position. The first drive device is a non-self-locking drive device, and the second drive device comprises a cylinder filled with a fluid under pressure. An interior of the second drive device is divided by a piston into a first work chamber and a second work chamber, wherein a piston rod of the piston is guided outward through the first work chamber. A valve arrangement in the piston closes a flow connection between the first work chamber and the second work chamber in a stationary operating state of the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: Stabilus GmbHInventors: Marian Bochen, Frank Doffing, Rolf Mintgen, Thomas Reif