Patents by Inventor Michael Lachat

Michael Lachat 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).

  • Method of packaging an inflatable airbag cushion including a wrapper and deployment flap
    Patent number: 8407968
    Abstract: A deployment flap can be used with inflatable airbag to reduce the risk of the airbag getting caught between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an out of position occupant. The manner in which the airbag and deployment flap are folded prior to deployment alters their deployment characteristics, such as trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Lucette Bond
  • Airbag lateral flap
    Patent number: 8272664
    Abstract: The airbag assembly features an airbag cushion, a deployment flap, an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, and a lateral flap. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. The lateral flap is configured to allow for proper airbag deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jesse Benny, Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Bobby Lusk
  • INFLATABLE AIRBAG CUSHIONS WITH DEPLOYMENT FLAPS AND METHODS FOR FOLDING
    Publication number: 20110088356
    Abstract: A deployment flap can be used with inflatable airbag to reduce the risk of the airbag getting caught between the instrument panel of a vehicle and an out of position occupant. The manner in which the airbag and deployment flap are folded prior to deployment alters their deployment characteristics, such as trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Lucette Bond
  • Airbag cushion folding methods
    Patent number: 7845682
    Abstract: Methods are provided for folding an airbag cushion into a housing. In one implementation of the inventive method, an airbag cushion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel is provided. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Joseph Bator, Larry Rose, Marc P. Russell, Jeffrey D Williams, Ralph Tree
  • Airbag protection flap
    Patent number: 7770925
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising an airbag cushion, a deployment flap and an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, is disclosed. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the airbag assembly may also include a cinch tube arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Seymour, Michael Lachat, Larry D. Rose
  • AIRBAG LATERAL FLAP
    Publication number: 20090152842
    Abstract: The airbag assembly features an airbag cushion, a deployment flap, an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, and a lateral flap. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. The lateral flap is configured to allow for proper airbag deployment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: JESSE BENNY, Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Bobby Lusk
  • AIRBAG CUSHION FOLDING METHODS
    Publication number: 20090108574
    Abstract: Methods are provided for folding an airbag cushion into a housing. In one implementation of the inventive method, an airbag cushion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel is provided. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Joseph Bator, Larry Rose, Marc Russell, JD Williams, Ralph Tree
  • Airbag protection flap
    Publication number: 20080217887
    Abstract: An airbag assembly comprising an airbag cushion, a deployment flap and an extension flap attached to the deployment flap, is disclosed. The deployment flap is configured to protect the airbag cushion as it deploys from the module housing. The extension flap is configured to position the airbag cushion during deployment. In some embodiments, the airbag assembly may also include a cinch tube arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Brian T. Seymour, Michael Lachat, Larry D. Rose