3 patents currently held
70 more in force are now held by other companies
Held is read from USPTO's recorded assignments; a transfer never recorded there does not appear.
22 more records may belong here and await a decision; they are not counted.
The next term ends in May 2027. from the record
Of the 70 now held by other companies, 63 name Schaeffler Technologies AG and Co. KG as their current owner, and 7 more name another party. Each row says which.
Free plan: 3 watched companies. Pro: unlimited.
Alerts on its grants, lapses and transfers.
3
Ending by 2030
May 2027
Next term end
3
Patent families
When these terms end
Held patents by the year their term ends
notable patents
all others
Updated Nov 14, 2026 · includes USPTO assignment & status data published Nov 14, 2026 and grant & fee data published Nov 10, 2026 (weekly) · how we know
Notable: the highest-ranked patents in this portfolio by citations and family size.
Notable patents
Ranked by citations and family size, against patents of the same kind granted the same year. How we rank
Notable
Ends Oct 2029 · High confidence
Also notable
Ends May 2027 · High confidence
Also notable
Ends Jul 2027 · High confidence
Grinding Machine for Grinding of a Gear
US 7,972,197
Renewed at every maintenance window since the 2011 grant; no more fees are due before its term ends in 2029.
Wheel Hub/Joint Unit
US 7,824,272
Renewed at every maintenance window since the 2010 grant; no more fees are due before its term ends in 2027.
Chain Having a Plurality of Chain Links
US 7,472,539
Renewed at every maintenance window since the 2009 grant; no more fees are due before its term ends in 2027.
Formerly held, still cited
Notable
Ends Jun 2027 · High confidence
Cited by 31 later US patents, top 25% of utility patents granted in 2010 in our data, and renewed at 3 of 3 maintenance windows. Protection runs to 2027.
now held by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Also notable
Ends no later than Oct 2029 · Medium confidence
The most cited patent in this portfolio, cited by 54 later US patents, top 25% of utility patents granted in 2011 in our data. Protection runs to 2029. A terminal disclaimer is on file and its reference is not resolved, so no cap is applied and the date may move earlier, never later.
now held by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Also notable
Ends Sep 2027 · High confidence
Renewed at every maintenance window since the 2010 grant; no more fees are due before its term ends in 2027.
now held by Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Fee deadlines
No maintenance fee falls due on this company's record before Nov 10, 2027.
Recent changes
- 4 terms have ended since Aug 16, 2026
What they patent
The 1 largest of its 3 families, grouped by real patent family and labeled by the earliest filing in each. No technology classification is inferred from titles.
| Wheel Hub/Joint Unit | 1 in force | to May 2027 |
Patents held now
Soonest term end first.
Showing 1 to 3 of 3
| Patent | Title | Status | Expires | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 7,824,272 | Wheel Hub/Joint Unit held by GKN Driveline Deutschland GmbH and Schaeffler KG In force · High confidence | In force | High confidence | |
| US 7,472,539 | Chain Having a Plurality of Chain Links In force · High confidence | In force | High confidence | |
| US 7,972,197 | Grinding Machine for Grinding of a Gear In force · High confidence | In force | High confidence |
Also on record, not counted in the 3: 70 patents in force now held by others · 547 patents ended · 188 applications abandoned. List them
Sources and methods
Compiled from USPTO application file histories, grants and recorded assignments, with the company's own names reviewed by hand. How this record was built
Portfolio grouped automatically from ownership conveyances to the names matched to this company, usually every name that begins with its own, so it counts patents an affiliate holds; each list row names the holder of record. Security interests are excluded and ambiguous records are not reviewed by hand.
Computed patent terms end on the dates shown. Related patents and pending applications may cover overlapping subject matter.
15 terminal disclaimers are on file with no resolved reference. No cap is applied and none is guessed