Patents by Inventor Walter Kuehnl

Walter Kuehnl 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).

  • Vehicle body component with a tin/zinc coating
    Patent number: 6308544
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coated metal fastener that is prepared by electrogalvanically coating a metal fastener with a layer of tin and zinc mixed crystals, wherein the tin is from about 50 to about 90% by weight of the mixed crystals layer. The fastener plated with the tin and zinc alloy layer has a number of unexpected properties, including stability at higher temperatures than expected, which is important for retaining the strength of a vehicle joint secured with the fastener during subsequent finishing operations; retention of electrical conductivity, which makes the fastener suitable for use as a grounding member; and resistance to galvanic corrosion when the fastener joins metals of differing electrode potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Kuehnl, Dieter Mauer, Reinhold Opper