Patents by Inventor Werner M. Bless

Werner M. Bless 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).

  • Patent number: 9637157
    Abstract: A steering shaft component (10) comprises a first and a second steering shaft section (12, 14) and at least a first bending section (28x) extending between the first and the second steering shaft sections (12, 14). The first bending section (28x) is formed integrally with at least one of the steering shaft sections (12, 14), but has a different cross section from this steering shaft section (12, 14). Furthermore, a mechanical stop for limiting the maximum angle of rotation of the two steering shaft sections relative to each other is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Werner M. Bless
  • Patent number: 8196487
    Abstract: A progressive gear assembly that is a vehicle steering gear, the assembly comprising at least one spur gear (1, 2) and a toothed structure (3, 4, 5, 7, 8) with which the spur gear (1, 2) meshes. The spur gear (1, 2) has teeth (11) arranged along a curve (10), the curve (10) comprising a radius of curvature (r) which monotonically rises over an angular range of more than 90° of the curve (10). Preferably the curve is a spiral, particularly a logarithmic spiral. This gear assembly is configured compact and simple, features smooth running and achieves a late end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Werner M. Bless, Erwin Rott
  • Publication number: 20120118099
    Abstract: A steering shaft component (10) comprises a first and a second steering shaft section (12, 14) and at least a first bending section (28x) extending between the first and the second steering shaft sections (12, 14). The first bending section (28x) is formed integrally with at least one of the steering shaft sections (12, 14), but has a different cross section from this steering shaft section (12, 14). Furthermore, a mechanical stop for limiting the maximum angle of rotation of the two steering shaft sections relative to each other is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Werner M. Bless
  • Patent number: 7644940
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission mechanism (20) of a progressive gear (1), especially a steering gear for a vehicle, comprising a seating for each of an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (30). The transmission mechanism (20) according to the invention consists of a movable coupler (21) which is in articulated connection with the input shaft (10) and the output shaft (30) so that transmission from the input shaft (10) to the output shaft (30) with a progressive characteristic is achieved in the range ?180° to +180°. The advantage of such a gear (1) lies in the simple and therefore economical production of the apparatus and in its low space requirement. The absence of play in the mechanism and the direct transmission of forces by virtue of the individual components having suitable angles with respect to one another are further advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventors: Werner M. Bless, Erwin Rott
  • Publication number: 20080257085
    Abstract: A progressive gear assembly comprises at least one spur gear (1, 2) and a toothed structure (3, 4, 5, 7, 8) with which the spur gear (1, 2) meshes. The spur gear (1, 2) has teeth (11) arranged along a curve (10), the curve (10) comprising a radius of curvature (r) which monotonically rises over an angular range of more than 90° of the curve (10). Preferably the curve is a spiral, particularly a logarithmic spiral. This gear assembly is configured compact and simple, features smooth running and achieves a late end point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Werner M. Bless, Erwin Rott
  • Publication number: 20080105486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission mechanism (20) of a progressive gear (1), especially a steering gear for a vehicle, comprising a seating for each of an input shaft (10) and an output shaft (30). The transmission mechanism (20) according to the invention consists of a movable coupler (21) which is in articulated connection with the input shaft (10) and the output shaft (30) so that transmission from the input shaft (10) to the output shaft (30) with a progressive characteristic is achieved in the range ?180° to +180°. The advantage of such a gear (1) lies in the simple and therefore economical production of the apparatus and in its low space requirement. The absence of play in the mechanism and the direct transmission of forces by virtue of the individual components having suitable angles with respect to one another are further advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Werner M. Bless, Erwin Rott