Patents by Inventor Ute Villbrandt

Ute Villbrandt 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: 20230092063
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and techniques relating to modular edge clips for fastening a fastening element to an edge of an object. In an aspect, a modular edge clip includes first and second edge clip modules. The edge clip modules include retaining elements and latching connection elements. The respective latching elements having latching claws which, in collaboration with the other edge clip module serve as a counter-bearing, are designed to latch the modular edge clip onto the edge. The latching connection elements for connecting the respective edge clip modules to one another by way of a latching connection. The edge clip modules, in a state connected by the latching connection elements, form a gap between the respective latching elements, into which the edge of the object can be inserted in an insertion direction in order to fasten the edge clip to the edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ute Villbrandt, Björn Schiwek
  • Patent number: 6171183
    Abstract: Actuation means for actuating a structural part in an automobile, particuarly a flap for a fan, wherein the part is pivotally supported about an axis, comprising a pull wire a power transfer component connected to the pull wire and the structural part, and a damper coupled to the power transfer component or the structural part, with the power transfer component including a resilient portion such that upon exerting tension on the power transfer component the resilient portion is deformed until a force is transferred to the structural part or the damper element, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: ITW- ATECO GmbH
    Inventors: Ute Villbrandt, Roland Klein
  • Patent number: 5862896
    Abstract: A device for dampening the movement of a pivotally supported structural part, for example, a flap or closure within an automobile, comprises a pivot arm attached to the structural part, and a rack operatively connected to the pivot arm. A housing is rotatably supported upon a support surface or member, and a rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing along with a viscous fluid which tends to dampen rotary motion of the rotor. The rotor also comprises a pinion which is enmeshed with the rack, and the housing comprises a pair of guides for confining movement of the rack in a translational or rectilinear mode while maintaining the rack enmeshed with the rotor pinion. Consequently, when the flap or closure is either opened or closed, the flap or closure is moved in a dampened mode due to the movement of the pivot arm and the rack relative to the dampened rotor pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: ITW-ATECO GmbH
    Inventors: Ute Villbrandt, Hans-Gunther Muller