Patents by Inventor Willibald Kraus

Willibald Kraus 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: 7578413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-pieced sealing cover (1) made of a thermoplastic elastomer, especially used to seal an opening (22,22?, 22?), comprising a base body (5) with an adjacent peripheral collar (7) which turns into at least one elastic sealing lip adjacent to one side of a carrier (10, 10?). The collar (7)comprises at least one detent ring (12) located opposite the at least one sealing lip (10, 10?).The invention is characterized in that the collar (7) is connected to the sealing lip (10, 10?) by means of an intermediate area (14) extending parallel to a covering surface (F) of the carrier (20, 20?, 20?), whereupon the detent ring (12) protrudes into an inner area (21) formed by the intermediate area (14) and the sealing lip (10, 10?) and an outer area of the sealing lip (10, 10?) can be glued to the covering surface (F) of the carrier (20, 20?, 20?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 7390043
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure cover or closing lid. It is characterized in that the sealing element 15, consisting of an elastic material, is connected via engaging elements 20 with counter-engaging elements 25 of a covering element 10 consisting of a hard component. The sealing element 15 includes a contact flange 30 and, opposite to same, at a distance, at least one elastic sealing lip 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 7114632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing cover 1, 1? made of plastic, especially for sealing an opening in a support 50; 51; 52, with a base body 10; 10?, which merges into a circumferential collar 20, which transitions into an elastic sealing lip positioning itself against one side of a support, with the collar (20) presenting, at its outer circumference, an engaging ring 25; 25?, and with the sealing cover 1; 1? designed in one single piece consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer and between the engaging ring 25; 25? and the sealing lip 30; 30? at least one second engaging ring 28 being arranged at the outer circumference of the collar 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 7108017
    Abstract: A single-piece sealing cover 1, made of plastic, especially for sealing an opening 2 in a support 3, includes a basic body 5, which is joined with a circumferential collar 8, which is designed in the shape of a U, with an inner leg 10, an intermediate region 12 and an outer leg 14, and with at least one stop connection 16 at the outer leg 14. The sealing cover is characterized in that the outer leg 14 and the basic body 48 can be locked together by means of the stop connection 16, after pre-assembly V, by insertion into the opening 2 and after final assembly E and an outer collar 24 and the disk-shaped basic body 5 extend in parallel after final assembly E.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Publication number: 20060102631
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closure cover or closing lid. It is characterized in that the sealing element 15, consisting of an elastic material, is connected via engaging elements 20 with counter-engaging elements 25 of the a covering element 10 consisting of a hard component. The sealing element 15 presents includes a contact flange 30 and, opposite to same, at a distance, at least one elastic sealing lip 35.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6984096
    Abstract: A device for connecting a support, with a panel element is provided including a connecting element (1) with an upper part (3) that can be fastened to the panel element, lower part (4) that can be linked with the support and a neck-shaped intermediate section (5) is provided with locking elements (10) and extends through an engaging element (12) that can be inserted ma support opening (7). The intermediate section (5) is enclosed by an intermediate element (15) and is lockable with the locking elements (10). A sealing element acts upon the upper side of the support (2). The intermediate section (5) is provided with a first zone I and a second zone II of the locking elements (10). In a pre-assembled state, the first zone I, and in an assembled state, the second zone II of the locking elements (10) is locked with the counterlocking elements (22) of the intermediate element (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Publication number: 20050206094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-pieced sealing cover (1) made of a thermoplastic elastomer, especially used to seal an opening (22, 22?, 22?) in a support (20, 20?, 20?) comprising a base body (5) with an adjacent peripheral collar (7) which turns into at least one elastic sealing lip (10, 10?) abutting against one side of the support, whereby the collar (7) presents at least one detent ring (12) positioned opposite the sealing lip (10, 10?). It is characterized in that the collar (7) is connected with the sealing lip (10, 10?) via an intermediate area (14) extending parallel to a covering surface (F) of the support (20, 20?, 20?), that the detent ring (12) protrudes into an interior space (21) formed by the intermediate area (14) and the sealing lip (10, 10?) and that an outer area of the sealing lip (10, 10?) is cementable with the covering surface (F) of the support (20, 20?, 20?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Publication number: 20040232159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing cover 1, 1′ made of plastic, especially for sealing an opening in a support 50; 51; 52, with a base body 10; 10′, which merges into a circumferential collar 20, which transitions into an elastic sealing lip positioning itself against one side of a support, with the collar (20) presenting, at its outer circumference, an engaging ring 25; 25′, and with the sealing cover 1; 1′ designed in one single piece consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer and between the engaging ring 25; 25′ and the sealing lip 30; 30′ at least one second engaging ring 28 being arranged at the outer circumference of the collar 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Publication number: 20040151533
    Abstract: The invention relates to a single-piece sealing cover 1, made of plastic, especially for sealing an opening 2 in a support 3, comprising a basic body 5, which is joined with a circumferential collar 8, which is designed in the shape of a U, with an inner leg 10, an intermediate region 12 and an outer leg 14, and with at least one stop connection 16 at the outer leg 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Publication number: 20040052609
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a support (2), especially a body part of a motor vehicle, with a panel element, especially a door or wall paneling. Said device comprises a connecting element (1) with an upper part (3) that can be fastened to the panel element and with a lower part (4) that can be linked with the support (2). Between the upper part (3) and the lower part (4) a neck-shaped intermediate section (5) is provided with locking elements (10) and extends through an engaging element (12) that can be inserted in a support opening (7). The intermediate section (5) is enclosed by an intermediate element (15) above the support (2), said intermediate element (15) being lockable with the locking elements (10). A sealing element (20) is disposed between the intermediate element (15) and the engaging element (12) and acts upon the upper side of the support (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6398473
    Abstract: A plastic connector 1 is provided for connecting an associated support member with an associated plate element. A generally cylindrical elongate neck shaped intermediate zone 5 defines a longitudinal axis and carries on a first end an upper part 2 and on a second end a lower part 3. The upper part is selectively attachable to the associated plate element. The lower part 3 is selectively connectable with the associated support member and includes a cover cone portion 22 defining a generally pointed conical tip S. A plurality of ribs 15, 15′ are arranged longitudinally on the lower part and extend radially outwardly from the lower part by a first height H, the first height being greater than an outer diameter D formed by the intermediate zone 5. A spherical constriction portion 20 is defined between the intermediate zone 5 and the cover cone portion 22 to enable secure connection between the associated support member and plate element and to assist in installation of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6336768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection unit between a support 3, such as a body part of a motor vehicle, and a plate element, such as the facing of a door. An upper part 1 is attachable to the plate element via an attachment region 5 and an engagement region 6 selectively receives a holding element 2, which is connectable to the support. The engagement region 6 of the upper part 1 consists of two pockets 8, 9, arranged above each other and separated by a cross piece 10. The holding element 2 is equipped, above an attachment region 7, connectable with support 3, with a circumferential elastic sealing lip 27 and two flanges 14, 15 of different elasticity, arranged at axial distance from each other, cross-wise to the longitudinal direction L—L defined by the holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6287043
    Abstract: A connection (1) between a support (2) and a plate element includes an upper part (3), attachable to the plate element, and a lower part (4), connectable to the support (2). A neck-shaped intermediate region (5), between the upper and lower parts (3, 4, respectively), includes locking elements (10). A contact piece (12) on the lower part (3) has counter stops (14) and a first flange (16). The intermediate region (5) penetrates in an anterior region of the contact piece (12). The contact piece (12) spreads behind the support (2) after being inserted through an opening (7) in the support (2). A flexible hose gasket (20), surrounding the intermediate region (5), is in a substantially cylindrical shape when the connection (1) is in a pre-mounted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6264393
    Abstract: A connection element (1) between a support (2), specifically a body part of a motor vehicle, and a plate element, specifically a door or wall facing. The connection element (1) includes an upper piece (3) attachable to the plate element and a lower piece (4) connectable with a support (2). A neck-shaped intermediate region (5) is provided between the upper part (3) and the lower part (4). The intermediate region (5) is equipped with locking elements (10) and penetrates into a support opening (7) embeddable contact piece (12). The intermediate region (5) above the support (2) is surrounded by a casing part (15), which is lockable with the locking elements (10) and the contact piece (12). A sealing element (20), which acts upon the surface of the support (2), is arranged between a casing piece (15) and a contact piece (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6253421
    Abstract: A plastic holding strap (1) is provided for looping around and fastening a bundle of articles, specifically tubes and cables (2, 2′) with a profiled strap element (3) having a pair of longitudinal strips (4, 4′) and transverse rung members (5). A head member (6) is connected to a first end of the strap element (3) and defines a at least one passage opening (7) and includes an obliquely extending resilient locking element (8) which is selectively embeddable into at least a partial area of one or more of the transverse rung members (5). A holding element (10) is selectively connectable onto an associated support member and is formed integrally with the head member (6) for fastening the plastic holding strap onto the support member. A first portion (12) of the strap element (3) defines a substantially convex region (20) having at least one holding lug (15, 15′) formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6254302
    Abstract: A connector is provided for use in selectively connecting an associated plate member to an associated support member. The connector includes a first connector member (1) including a first base portion (10) adapted for connection to the associated plate member. An elongate holding element (4) is adapted for connection to the associated support member and also for selective connection to the first connector member (1). An elastic region (11) is arranged on the first connector member (1) to engage a first free end of the elongate holding element when the first connector member and the holding element are disposed in an intermated rest position. In one form, the elastic region includes a holding zone (15) adapted to surround the free end (20) of the elongate holding member. The holding zone is supported relative to the first base portion by a set of spiral arms that extend radially outwardly from the holding zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6115888
    Abstract: A plastic holding strap is provided for bundling elongate objects and fastening the elongate bundled objects to an associated support member. The holding strap includes a first holding element adapted for connection onto the associated support member. An elongate profiled strap element extends from the first holding element for encircling and fastening a first bundle of associated elongate objects onto the holding element for connection in turn to an associated support member. In order to provide additional holding capability and to enable a wider range of application of the plastic holding strap, a second holding element is provided for selective intermatable attachment onto the first holding element. The second holding element defines at least one receiving area for selective connection to one or more associated articles in addition to the items fastened to the first holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6105908
    Abstract: A retainer strap for fastening tubular objects to associated support structures includes a bearing region adapted for connecting the strap to an associated support structure, an elongate strap element having a plurality of catch teeth arranged along the strap element and a holding region formed on a first end of the elongate strap element for selectively receiving and holding the second end of the strap element therein. A breakable hinge member formed integrally with the retainer strap during manufacture initially connects the bearing region directly to the strap element. The breakable hinge is selectively manually severable to permit relative slidable movement of the bearing region on the strap element to enable a selectable relative distance between the bearing region and the holding region so that the retainer strap can be used in a wide variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6076781
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mounting of pipes, cables, or other elongate tubular objects to an operatively associated support member. The mounting device includes a holding region 1, a bearing region 2, and a winding zone 10. The holding region 1 is provided for selectively attaching the mounting device to the operatively associated support member. The bearing region is disposed on the holding area and extends in opposite directions from opposite sides thereof. The bearing region includes a face side S adapted to engage elongate tubular objects such as pipes, cables, or the like. The bearing region is further adapted to selectively attach or otherwise engage the mounting apparatus to the elongate tubular objects using at least one band-shaped fastening element wrapped around the bearing region and the tubing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: TRW United-Car GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus
  • Patent number: 6039523
    Abstract: An adjustable connector system is provided between a support (2), specifically a body part of a motor vehicle and a plate element, specifically a door covering. The connector system includes a connector member having with an upper portion (3) attachable to the plate element and a lower portion (4) connectable with the support (2). Between upper piece (3) and lower piece (4) there is provided a neck-shaped intermediary region (5), fitted with locking elements (10). An anterior region of the intermediary region is adapted to traverse an engagement piece (12) embeddable in a support opening (7). Interference between the intermediary region and the engagement piece urges the intermediary region to spread radially outwardly behind the support opening (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Willibald Kraus