Patents by Inventor Masami Tonooka

Masami Tonooka 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: 7770915
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, including a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion includes a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Publication number: 20070205586
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, including a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion includes a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi NISHIJIMA, Shuji YAMADA, Masami TONOOKA, Satoshi KITAZAWA, Takahiro SUWAMA, Sadayuki KAWAKAMI, Hiroshi YAKUSHIJI, Ryuji HORI, Masatoshi ISHIGAKI
  • Patent number: 7229095
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Publication number: 20060249931
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 7093849
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 6719323
    Abstract: For improving horn switch operability, an air bag apparatus 4 supports the side wall 26b of the cover body 26 and is movable back and forth on the outer periphery of the surrounding wall 24 of the base plate 24. Hook 24h protrudes from the surrounding wall 24b and is locked onto lock receiving portion 26h of the side wall 26b, thereby regulating the moving range of the cover body 26. Bracket 35 is mounted on the under surface of the covering portion 26a and is positioned at each of the spokes 7. A movable first contact 36e, 136e is mounted on the bracket 35. A fixed contact support portion 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 24b of the base plate 24 to protrude therefrom or support 131 in the shape of a pillar is provided integrally to protrude from the core metal 7a of the spoke 7. A fixed second contact 31d, 131d that is opposed to the movable contact 36e, 136e is provided to oppose the movable contact 36e, 136e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kai, Morimasa Asai, Masami Tonooka, Katsuhiro Tokita
  • Publication number: 20040056455
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 6692023
    Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus of a motor vehicle which can securely protect a passenger in a much close state by an inexpensive means. Since a rear end (a patch portion (19)) of a tether belt (20) is positioned at a vertical surface (A) passing through a rear end (21) of an instrument panel (1) or in a front side thereof, in an initial expanding state of an air bag (4), a rearward development of the air bag (4) is restricted just before a passenger (M) due to a tension of the tether belt (20) even in the case that the passenger (M) stands close to the instrument panel (1), whereby no excessive impact is applied to the passenger (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Tokita, Tetsuji Endo, Masami Tonooka, Yasuhiro Uchida
  • Publication number: 20030057691
    Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus of a vehicle which can securely protect a passenger (including a child) in a much closed state by an inexpensive means. Since a rear end (a patch portion (19)) of a tether belt (20) is positioned between a vertical surface (A) passing through a rear end (21) of an instrument panel (1) and a vertical surface (B) passing through a center (S) of a head portion of the passenger, in an initial expanding state of an air bag (4), a rearward development of the air bag (4) is restricted just before a passenger (M) due to a tension of the tether belt (20) even in the case that the passenger (M) is much close to the instrument panel (1), whereby no excessive impact is applied to the passenger (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Tokita, Tetsuji Endo, Masami Tonooka, Kazuyoshi Nishijima
  • Patent number: 6457744
    Abstract: An airbag apparatus for a vehicle has a case with an opening that is blocked by a cover that can be burst open, an airbag folded up within the case, and an inflator that ejects gas via a gas guide port into the airbag. Gas ejected from the inflator inflates the airbag inside the case, so as to burst the cover, enabling the airbag to deploy within the vehicle passenger compartment. The airbag branches at the gas guide port into a small-capacity sub-expansion part and a large-capacity main expansion part, the sub-expansion part being disposed on a front window panel side positioned at the front of the passenger compartment, and the main expansion part being positioned toward a passenger in the passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Tonooka
  • Publication number: 20020113419
    Abstract: For improving horn switch operability, an air bag apparatus 4 supports the side wall 26b of the cover body 26 and is movable back and forth on the outer periphery of the surrounding wall 24 of the base plate 24. Hook 24h protrudes from the surrounding wall 24b and is locked onto lock receiving portion 26h of the side wall 26b, thereby regulating the moving range of the cover body 26. Bracket 35 is mounted on the under surface of the covering portion 26a and is positioned at each of the spokes 7. A movable first contact 36e, 136e is mounted on or from the bracket 35. A fixed contact support portion 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 24b of the base plate 24 to protrude therefrom or support 131 in the shape of a pillar is provided integrally to protrude from the core metal 7a of the spoke 7. A fixed second contact 31d, 131d that is opposed to the movable contact 36e, 136e is provided to oppose the movable contact 36e, 136e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA and NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kai, Morimasa Asai, Masami Tonooka, Katsuhiro Tokita
  • Patent number: 6390500
    Abstract: A bag-like airbag is folded into a substantially T-shape having a first developing portion which is continuous with an opening from which gas flows in and second developing portions extending fore-and-aft direction from an upper end of the first developing portion. Each of the second developing portions is folded into a bellows toward a prescribed point, thereby forming an aggregate. The aggregate is rotated, the first developing portion is wound around the aggregate, and the folded airbag is accommodated in an airbag accommodation portion of a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamada, Nakao Takayanagi, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takashi Ueda
  • Publication number: 20020036401
    Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus of a motor vehicle which can securely protect a passenger in a much close state by an inexpensive means. Since a rear end (a patch portion (19)) of a tether belt (20) is positioned at a vertical surface (A) passing through a rear end (21) of an instrument panel (1) or in a front side thereof, in an initial expanding state of an air bag (4), a rearward development of the air bag (4) is restricted just before a passenger (M) due to a tension of the tether belt (20) even in the case that the passenger (M) stands close to the instrument panel (1), whereby no excessive impact is applied to the passenger (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Tokita, Tetsuji Endo, Masami Tonooka, Yasuhiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 6129382
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive air bag for an air bag device. This air bag in an inflated condition is generally pentahedral by the provision of a first or bottom surface, a second or upper surface, a front surface for cushioning a front passenger, and a pair of side surfaces. The first and second surfaces each extend from a first or forehand edge portion of the air bag. The first surface has (1) an opening for introducing gas into the air bag and (2) a reinforced portion surrounding the opening and adapted to be fastened to a retainer. This opening is disposed in the vicinity of the first edge portion. Thus, the air bag can efficiently be inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Tonooka
  • Patent number: 5848803
    Abstract: An air bag apparatus is provided which stably projects the air bag towards the front of a passenger. A retainer 12 stores therein an inflator 14 for injecting gas from gas injection holes at one end of the inflator, and an air bag 15 which is folded. A mid-retainer 16 is provided between inflator 14 and air bag 15. Mid-retainer 16 is provided with a plurality of guide fins 61, which are formed by making cuts in the mid-retainer and bending the cut portions. The direction of gas flow is adjusted by the inclination of each guide fin 61. The gas discharge rate is adjusted by setting various distances between each two adjacent guide fins 61 as to be greatest at the central part of the mid-retainer and either side of the center portion having a gas discharge rate approximately equal to its corresponding opposite side, thereby ensuring air bag 15 will be projected stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignees: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masami Tonooka, Yoshio Horiike, Ryuuji Hori, Katsumi Ishikawa, Hitoshi Higuchi, Takeshi Kai
  • Patent number: 5775724
    Abstract: An airbag restraint unit for a front seat passenger aside a driver in an automotive vehicle comprises a casing having upper and lower chambers. An inflator for ejecting gas is disposed in the lower chamber of the casing. An airbag is disposed in the upper chamber of the casing to inflate and deploy upon being supplied with gas from the inflator. A mid-retainer is disposed in the casing and located between the inflator and the airbag. The casing includes a first engagement section having opposite first and second engagement surfaces inclined to gradually approach in a direction toward the airbag. First and second installation holes are formed respectively at the first and second engagement surfaces of the casing. The mid-retainer includes a second engagement section having opposite first and second engagement surfaces engaged respectively with the first and second engagement surfaces of the first engagement section of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Tonooka, Yoshio Horiike, Mitutaka Watanabe