Patents by Inventor Tobias DUFFE

Tobias DUFFE 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: 20240351409
    Abstract: A body for a motor vehicle facilitates replacement of a vehicle roof by another roof of the same type or a different type. The body defines a roof opening having a roof frame arranged around the roof opening with a reinforcing profile around the periphery of the opening. A roof seal is supported by the reinforcing profile and has a highest point higher than immediately adjacent regions of the roof frame on the side of the roof seal facing away from the roof opening. The body has a closed state with the roof releasably fastened to the roof frame in contact with the roof seal over the entire periphery from above and an open state in which the roof is no longer fastened to the roof frame and is displaced from the closed state upwardly and away from the roof seal for replacement of the roof with another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel KOLVENBACH, Tobias DUFFE, Fabian PRITZ, Thomas BENDEROTH
  • Publication number: 20180272986
    Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus for a motor vehicle front end has a leg-contacting segment which, in a pre-impact position, is arranged completely above an approach plane of the vehicle (which is defined by way of a front approach angle of the motor vehicle), and can be adjusted into a post-impact position by means of a force deflecting apparatus by way of at least proportionally vertical deflection of an impact force which acts along the longitudinal direction. In a post-impact position, the contact segment is arranged at least partially below the approach plane and lower than a bumper crossmember.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Antje SIPIDO, Monika TEODORESCU, Susanne SPAETGENS, Joergen HILMANN, Tobias DUFFE
  • Publication number: 20170210316
    Abstract: The invention concerns a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, with a bumper cross-member which is connected to a vehicle structure via a crumple element. To provide a bumper unit which has optimal crash behavior on frontal impacts both with small overlap and with larger overlap, according to the invention it is provided that a deformation element is arranged on the bumper cross-member outside of the crumple element with a deformation portion running obliquely relative to a vehicle longitudinal axis X, towards and spaced from the vehicle structure. It is proposed that the deformation element has a rearward running connecting portion which is connected to the bumper cross-member and a center portion running towards the outside from the connecting portion and adjoining the deformation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Tobias DUFFE
  • Publication number: 20170151920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper unit for a motor vehicle, having a crumple element attached to a bumper and a connecting plate that is adapted to be connected to a vehicle structure. The connecting plate is connected to the crumple element by at least one primary weld seam. At least one reinforcing element is connected to the crumple element in a connecting region that adjoins a primary weld seam and extends away from the primary weld seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Tobias DUFFE
  • Publication number: 20140211494
    Abstract: An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle that has a filling funnel for filling at least one liquid container arranged in the motor vehicle. The exterior mirror may have an optical fluid level display. The exterior mirror also includes a flap that is opened to provide access to the filling funnel. The flap may comprise a portion of the outer surface of a housing portion of the exterior mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Tobias DUFFE