Patents by Inventor Wolfgang Sommer

Wolfgang Sommer 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: 7353676
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method serve for precision rolling of a surface area (2) of a rotationally symmetrical component (3), especially a screw. The apparatus (1) includes at least two spaced apart rolling tools (4, 5), a measuring unit (9) for determining an actual blank diameter of the component (3), an evaluating unit (10) for comparing the determined actual blank diameter of the component (3) with a predetermined blank diameter and for determining an adjustment value from the result of the comparison, and a control unit (11) for adjusting a distance between the at least two rolling tools (4, 5) in response to the adjustment value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: KAMAX-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Mario Braun, Matthias Becker
  • Patent number: 7153075
    Abstract: A press fit fastener (1) includes a shank (2), a head (3) and a press fit portion (4) being located at the shank (2). The head (3) is located at the first end of the shank (2). The press fit portion (4) includes a multiple helical profile (5). The helical profile (5) has a beginning portion (6) and an inclination portion (8). The outer diameter of the inclination portion (8) is designed to increase in a direction towards the head (3) to reach a maximum outer diameter. The maximum outer diameter of the inclination portion (8) is spaced apart from the head (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: KAMAX-Werke Rudolf Kellerman GmbH & Co. K.G.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20060107717
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method serve for precision rolling of a surface area (2) of a rotationally symmetrical component (3), especially a screw. The apparatus (1) includes at least two spaced apart rolling tools (4, 5), a measuring unit (9) for determining an actual blank diameter of the component (3), an evaluating unit (10) for comparing the determined actual blank diameter of the component (3) with a predetermined blank diameter and for determining an adjustment value from the result of the comparison, and a control unit (11) for adjusting a distance between the at least two rolling tools (4, 5) in response to the adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Mario Braun, Matthias Becker
  • Patent number: 6971662
    Abstract: A towing device (1) for motor vehicles includes an elongated element (2) having a length, a cross section, a first end portion (13) and a second end portion (5). The cross section of the elongated element (2) at least along a part of the length of the elongated element (2) is designed to be hollow. The first end portion (13) is designed to be connected to a motor vehicle. The towing device (1) further includes a lug (3) being connected to the second end portion (5) of the elongated element (2). Due to the hollow cross section, the mass of the towing device (1) is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: KAMAX-Werke Rudolf Kellerman GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Frischkorn, Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6935822
    Abstract: A detachable fastener includes a screw element and a securing ring. The screw element and the securing ring each include cooperating wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements and two different pairs of stop surfaces. The wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements face one another and form sliding surfaces sliding upon one another in a loosening direction of rotation resulting in an increase of the axial force. The first pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a tightening direction of rotation. The second pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a loosening direction of rotation. The stop surfaces are arranged with a clearance existing between one another such that the wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements can slide upon one another without skipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellerman GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040115026
    Abstract: A press fit fastener (1) includes a shank (2), a head (3) and a press fit portion (4) being located at the shank (2). The head (3) is located at the first end of the shank (2). The press fit portion (4) includes a multiple helical profile (5). The helical profile (5) has a beginning portion (6) and an inclination portion (8). The outer diameter of the inclination portion (8) is designed to increase in a direction towards the head (3) to reach a maximum outer diameter. The maximum outer diameter of the inclination portion (8) is spaced apart from the head (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6722832
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes a component including at least one through hole and at least one screw. The screw is associated with the through hole of the component. The screw is designed and arranged to produce a thread. The screw includes a head and a supporting surface to face the component. The screw includes a shank at least partly including a thread. The screw in the region of the shank and close to the supporting surface includes an annular channel, the diameter of the annular channel being less than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and the effective axial length of the annular channel being more than the axial length of the through hole. The diameter of the through hole of the component is more than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and being less than the outer diameter of the thread of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040070173
    Abstract: A towing device (1) for motor vehicles includes an elongated element (2) having a length, a cross section, a first end portion (13) and a second end portion (5). The cross section oft he elongated element (2) at least along a part of the length of the elongated element (2) is designed to be hollow. The first end portion (13) is designed to be connected to a motor vehicle. The towing device (1) further includes a lug (3) being connected to the second end portion (5) of the elongated element (2). Due to the hollow cross section, the mass of the towing device (1) is substantially reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Harald Frischkorn, Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6685409
    Abstract: A connecting element includes a screw including a head and a shank. The shank has an end, and it includes a shank portion, a threaded portion and a stop element. The threaded portion has an outer diameter, and it includes a thread runout facing the head. The thread runout has an axial extension and a circumference. The shank portion has a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the threaded portion. The stop element is produced by removing the thread runout at least over a part of the axial extension and of the circumference of the thread runout in a way that the stop element has a diameter which approximately corresponds to the outer diameter of the threaded portion. The connecting element also includes a supporting element being captively connected to the screw and including a narrowing location having a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the threaded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellerman GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Braun, Wolfgang Sommer
  • Patent number: 6626626
    Abstract: An assembly unit (1) includes a component (2), one ore more screws (3) and bushes (18). The screw (3) includes a shank (5) at least partially including a thread (10), a head (4) being designed and arranged to rotate the screw (3) and a supporting surface (6) facing the component (2). The supporting surface (6) is designed and arranged to directly contact the component (2) after assembly without contacting the bush (18) to transmit an axial force. The component (2) includes a through hole (17) for each screw (3). The bush (18) is associated with the screw (3), and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the respective through hole (17). The bush (18), the screw (3) and the component (2) are designed and arranged to be locked and aligned in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6623226
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes at least one component and at least one screw including a shank having an outer diameter and at least partially including a thread. The head of the screw is designed and arranged to rotate the screw. A supporting surface of the screw faces the component. The component for each screw includes a through hole having a diameter. At least one bush is associated with the at least one screw, and it is designed and arranged to be insertable into the respective through hole. The bush is made of plastic material, and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the through hole resulting in elastic deformation of the bush. The inner diameter of the bush is slightly more than the outer diameter of the shank. The supporting surface is designed and arranged to operatively contact the component after assembly without contacting the bush to transmit an axial force. The bush, the screw and the component are designed and arranged to be captively connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Braun, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20030152439
    Abstract: A detachable fastener includes a screw element and a securing ring. The screw element and the securing ring each include cooperating wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements and two different pairs of stop surfaces. The wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements face one another and form sliding surfaces sliding upon one another in a loosening direction of rotation resulting in an increase of the axial force. The first pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a tightening direction of rotation. The second pair of stop surfaces transmits torque in a loosening direction of rotation. The stop surfaces are arranged with a clearance existing between one another such that the wedge-shaped surface tooth arrangements can slide upon one another without skipping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20030068214
    Abstract: A detachable close-tolerance connection unit for a component includes a fitting screw including a head, a shank, a threaded portion and a fitting portion. The shank includes a rim element. A supporting ring includes an opening and a narrowing element being located in the opening. The inner diameter of the narrowing element is less than the outer diameter of the rim element. The supporting ring is connectable to the fitting screw with elastic-plastic deformation to reach a pre-assembled position. The narrowing element in the pre-assembled position is located in a portion of the opening facing the head of the fitting screw. The narrowing element in the pre-assembled position is associated with the rim element such that the supporting ring is rotatably and captively connected to the fitting screw. The rim element in the pre-assembled position is located inside of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Sommer, Uwe Wittich
  • Publication number: 20030053885
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes a component including at least one through hole and at least one screw. The screw is associated with the through hole of the component. The screw is designed and arranged to produce a thread. The screw includes a head and a supporting surface to face the component. The screw includes a shank at least partly including a thread. The screw in the region of the shank and close to the supporting surface includes an annular channel, the diameter of the annular channel being less than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and the effective axial length of the annular channel being more than the axial length of the through hole. The diameter of the through hole of the component is more than the core diameter of the thread of the screw and being less than the outer diameter of the thread of the screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Patent number: 6517301
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for a wheel of a vehicle includes a screw element including a threaded portion, a first supporting surface and a number of first wedge shaped teeth being located at the supporting surface. A supporting element is rotatably connected to the screw element. The supporting element includes a second supporting surface and a number of second wedge shaped teeth being associated with the first wedge shaped teeth. The first wedge shaped teeth are located at the first supporting surface to face the supporting element and the second wedge shaped teeth are located at the second supporting surface to face the screw element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kamax-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020106258
    Abstract: A connecting element includes a screw including a head and a shank. The shank has an end, and it includes a shank portion, a threaded portion and a stop element. The threaded portion has an outer diameter, and it includes a thread runout facing the head. The thread runout has an axial extension and a circumference. The shank portion has a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the threaded portion. The stop element is produced by removing the thread runout at least over a part of the axial extension and of the circumference of the thread runout in a way that the stop element has a diameter which approximately corresponds to the outer diameter of the threaded portion. The connecting element also includes a supporting element being captively connected to the screw and including a narrowing location having a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the threaded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mario Braun, Wolfgang Sommer
  • Publication number: 20020106257
    Abstract: An assembly unit includes at least one component and at least one screw including a shank having an outer diameter and at least partially including a thread. The head of the screw is designed and arranged to rotate the screw. A supporting surface of the screw faces the component. The component for each screw includes a through hole having a diameter. At least one bush is associated with the at least one screw, and it is designed and arranged to be insertable into the respective through hole. The bush is made of plastic material, and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the through hole resulting in elastic deformation of the bush. The inner diameter of the bush is slightly more than the outer diameter of the shank. The supporting surface is designed and arranged to operatively contact the component after assembly without contacting the bush to transmit an axial force. The bush, the screw and the component are designed and arranged to be captively connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Mario Braun, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020054807
    Abstract: An assembly unit (1) includes a component (2), one ore more screws (3) and bushes (18). The screw (3) includes a shank (5) at least partially including a thread (10), a head (4) being designed and arranged to rotate the screw (3) and a supporting surface (6) facing the component (2). The supporting surface (6) is designed and arranged to directly contact the component (2) after assembly without contacting the bush (18) to transmit an axial force. The component (2) includes a through hole (17) for each screw (3). The bush (18) is associated with the screw (3), and it is designed and arranged to be fixedly connected in the respective through hole (17). The bush (18), the screw (3) and the component (2) are designed and arranged to be locked and aligned in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: KAMAX-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020039522
    Abstract: A fastener (1) or a connecting element for connecting components includes a screw member (2) and a securing ring (3). The screw member (2) includes a first wrench engagement surface (5), a threaded portion (11) and a support surface (7). The securing ring (3) includes a second wrench engagement surface (9), a counterpart support surface (13) facing the screw member (2) and a contact surface (15) being designed and arranged to transmit an axial force to a component in the mounted position of the fastener (1). The securing ring (3) is rotatably connected to the screw member (2). The support surface (7) faces the securing ring (3), it is designed and arranged to transmit an axial force to the securing ring (3) and it includes a first taper-surface tooth arrangement (8) being designed and arranged to be operative in both directions of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner
  • Publication number: 20020015628
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for a wheel of a vehicle includes a screw element including a threaded portion, a first supporting surface and a number of first wedge shaped teeth being located at the supporting surface. A supporting element is rotatably connected to the screw element. The supporting element includes a second supporting surface and a number of second wedge shaped teeth being associated with the first wedge shaped teeth. The first wedge shaped teeth are located at the first supporting surface to face the supporting element and the second wedge shaped teeth are located at the second supporting surface to face the screw element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: KAMAX-Werke Rudolf Kellermann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gunther Hartmann, Wolfgang Sommer, Frank Wagner