Patents by Inventor David Varcoe
David Varcoe 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).
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Patent number: 11897409Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision includes a deployable restraint having a stored, predeployment condition in a vehicle floor. The restraint is deployable from the floor to restrain the feet and/or lower legs of an occupant from swinging forward and upward in response to a vehicle collision. In one configuration, the deployable restraint can include a module comprising an airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag. The module can include a door that opens in response to deployment of the airbag and that serves as a reaction surface for the airbag. In another configuration, the deployable restraint can include a restraining panel configured to move to a deployed position extending above the vehicle floor adjacent the occupants lower leg and feet.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, Kurt F. Fischer, Hylus Ranjit Raj Jayakar, Kiran Mohan Veepuri, David Varcoe
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Patent number: 11840191Abstract: An apparatus includes an airbag configured to be mounted to a roof of a vehicle and deployable downward from the vehicle roof. The airbag has a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated and concealed behind a vehicle headliner. The airbag has an inflated and deployed condition in which a first portion is configured to extend along a portion of a windshield, a second portion is configured to extend rearward from the first portion toward an occupant, and a third portion is configured to extend downward from the second portion and to be positioned between the occupant and a display screen. A deployment tether is configured to initially delay deployment of the second portion of the airbag while the third portion deploys. The deployment tether is configured to rupture after the initial delay so the second portion can fully inflate and deploy.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Douglas Gould, Uriah Horton, David Varcoe
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Patent number: 11718263Abstract: An adaptor for connecting a fill tube to an inflator includes a sleeve configured to fit over a discharge end portion of the inflator and to be connected to the inflator. The adaptor also includes an end portion comprising a nipple configured to receive and connect with the fill tube, wherein the sleeve is configured to direct inflation fluid discharged from the inflator toward the nipple, and the nipple is configured to direct the inflation fluid into the fill tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, David Varcoe, Jason Bare
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Publication number: 20230234530Abstract: An apparatus helps to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen that is positioned rearward of an occupant facing surface of the instrument panel and that extends vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes an airbag configured to have a stored condition in which the airbag is rolled and/or folded and positioned within the instrument panel at a location below the display screen. The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source. The airbag is configured to deploy in an upward direction through a space between the occupant and the instrument panel to a position in which the airbag is positioned between the display screen and the occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, David Varcoe, Navin Chopra
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Patent number: 11697386Abstract: An apparatus helps to protect an occupant of a seat of a vehicle including an instrument panel and a display screen that is positioned rearward of an occupant facing surface of the instrument panel and that extends vertically above an upper surface of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes an airbag configured to have a stored condition in which the airbag is rolled and/or folded and positioned within the instrument panel at a location below the display screen. The airbag is configured to inflate and deploy from the instrument panel in response to receiving inflation fluid from an inflation fluid source. The airbag is configured to deploy in an upward direction through a space between the occupant and the instrument panel to a position in which the airbag is positioned between the display screen and the occupant.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, David Varcoe, Navin Chopra
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Patent number: 11685330Abstract: A roof airbag module includes an airbag configured to inflate and deploy away from a vehicle roof toward a vehicle seat. The airbag module also includes an airbag housing configured to support the airbag in a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated and at least one of rolled and folded. The airbag module also includes an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the airbag to inflate the airbag. The airbag module further includes a module cover connected to the airbag housing and configured to conceal the airbag in the stored condition. The module cover includes a deployment door having an interior surface facing an interior of the housing and engaging the airbag in the stored condition, and an opposite exterior surface comprising a class A surface configured to be in direct view from the passenger compartment.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, David Varcoe
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Publication number: 20230060876Abstract: An adaptor for connecting a fill tube to an inflator includes a sleeve configured to fit over a discharge end portion of the inflator and to be connected to the inflator. The adaptor also includes an end portion comprising a nipple configured to receive and connect with the fill tube, wherein the sleeve is configured to direct inflation fluid discharged from the inflator toward the nipple, and the nipple is configured to direct the inflation fluid into the fill tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, David Varcoe, Jason Bare
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Publication number: 20230024300Abstract: A roof airbag module includes an airbag configured to inflate and deploy away from a vehicle roof toward a vehicle seat. The airbag module also includes an airbag housing configured to support the airbag in a stored condition in which the airbag is deflated and at least one of rolled and folded. The airbag module also includes an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the airbag to inflate the airbag. The airbag module further includes a module cover connected to the airbag housing and configured to conceal the airbag in the stored condition. The module cover includes a deployment door having an interior surface facing an interior of the housing and engaging the airbag in the stored condition, and an opposite exterior surface comprising a class A surface configured to be in direct view from the passenger compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2021Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Douglas Gould, Gabriela Diaz, David Varcoe
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Publication number: 20220212622Abstract: An apparatus for helping to protect occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision includes a deployable restraint having a stored, predeployment condition in a vehicle floor. The restraint is deployable from the floor to restrain the feet and/or lower legs of an occupant from swinging forward and upward in response to a vehicle collision. In one configuration, the deployable restraint can include a module comprising an airbag and an inflator for inflating and deploying the airbag. The module can include a door that opens in response to deployment of the airbag and that serves as a reaction surface for the airbag. In another configuration, the deployable restraint can include a restraining panel configured to move to a deployed position extending above the vehicle floor adjacent the occupants lower leg and feet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Douglas GOULD, Gabriela DIAZ, Kurt F. FISCHER, Hylus Ranjit Raj JAYAKAR, Kiran Mohan VEEPURI, David VARCOE
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Patent number: 11358558Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for helping to protect occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision. The apparatus comprising an inflatable tube having a first and second end connected to the floor of the vehicle and a middle portion therebetween and an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the inflatable tube in response to a vehicle collision. The inflatable tube is configured to inflate and deploy from the vehicle floor in response to receiving inflation fluid from the inflator. The middle portion extends from the floor and forms an arch into which the lower legs and/or feet of the occupant can move into in response to a collision and be restrained.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Douglas Gould, Hylus Ranjit Raj Jayakar, Diaz Gabriela, David Varcoe
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Publication number: 20220009443Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for helping to protect occupants of a vehicle in the event of a collision. The apparatus comprising an inflatable tube having a first and second end connected to the floor of the vehicle and a middle portion therebetween and an inflator that is actuatable to direct inflation fluid into the inflatable tube in response to a vehicle collision. The inflatable tube is configured to inflate and deploy from the vehicle floor in response to receiving inflation fluid from the inflator. The middle portion extends from the floor and forms an arch into which the lower legs and/or feet of the occupant can move into in response to a collision and be restrained.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, Douglas Gould, Hulus Ranjit Raj Jayakar, Diaz Gabriela, David Varcoe
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Patent number: 10953835Abstract: A module for a vehicle including a roof and a cabin includes a housing defining a chamber and having an opening in fluid communication with the chamber. The housing is configured for placement in the roof. An airbag is provided in the chamber and is inflatable to a deployed condition extending through the opening into the cabin. A door pivotably connected to the housing closes the opening. The door is pivotable away from the roof in response to deployment of the airbag to provide a reaction surface for the deploying airbag. The door has a first length while closing the opening and a second length greater than the first length when pivoted away from the roof.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Douglas M. Gould, Tobias Klenk, David Varcoe, Joseph C. Popek
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Publication number: 20200086820Abstract: A module for a vehicle including a roof and a cabin includes a housing defining a chamber and having an opening in fluid communication with the chamber. The housing is configured for placement in the roof. An airbag is provided in the chamber and is inflatable to a deployed condition extending through the opening into the cabin. A door pivotably connected to the housing closes the opening. The door is pivotable away from the roof in response to deployment of the airbag to provide a reaction surface for the deploying airbag. The door has a first length while closing the opening and a second length greater than the first length when pivoted away from the roof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Douglas M. Gould, Tobias Klenk, David Varcoe