Patents by Inventor Larry K. Hansen

Larry K. Hansen 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: 7036844
    Abstract: A multi-chambered bumper airbag for deployment from the bumper of a vehicle in the event of a collision with another vehicle is provided. The airbag comprises a main inflatable portion that, when inflated, absorbs the energy from contact with a structural member of the struck vehicle. The airbag also has one or more secondary inflatable portions concentric with the main inflatable portion. Because the secondary inflatable portions have a lower gas pressure than the main inflatable portion, they are used to cushion the occupant of the struck vehicle should the occupants' head and neck be forced out of the window of the struck vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Universal Propulsion Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hammer, Larry K. Hansen, Deborah L. Kalisz, Paul G. Curry, Wesley Pack, Saeed David Barbat, Priyaranjan Prasad
  • Publication number: 20040169362
    Abstract: A multi-chambered bumper airbag for deployment from the bumper of a vehicle in the event of a collision with another vehicle is provided. The airbag comprises a main inflatable portion that, when inflated, absorbs the energy from contact with a structural member of the struck vehicle. The airbag also has one or more secondary inflatable portion concentric with the main inflatable portion. Because the secondary inflatable portions have a lower gas pressure than the main inflatable portion, they are used to cushion the occupant of the struck vehicle should the occupants' head and neck be forced out of the window of the struck vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: David R. Hammer, Larry K. Hansen, Deborah L. Kalisz, Paul G. Curry, Wesley Pack, Saeed D. Barbat, Priya Prasad
  • Patent number: 5033390
    Abstract: A gas generator which may be used for ejecting submunitions. The gas generator comprises a diffuser chamber which is flanked by differently sized combustion chambers whereby three different ejection velocities may be achieved by firing only one of the combustion chambers or by firing both of them together. The generated gas is exited from the gas generator at the same central location, i.e., the centrally located diffuser chamber, to control submunition yaw and loading locations. The provision of combustion chambers at opposite ends of the diffuser chamber permits minimization of gas generator diameter, and a tie member in the diffuser chamber permits a non-complicated and inexpensive structure which is rugged and reliable. The gas generator may have other applications such as for inflating airbags for automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy T. Minert, Larry K. Hansen, George F. Kirchoff, Donald R. Lauritzen