Patents Represented by Attorney L.C. Begin & Associates, PLLC
  • Patent number: 8002915
    Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of wherein: R4 is a triazine ring; R1 is selected from the group consisting of a tetrazolyl group, CH3, OCH3, —CN, —C2H, NCO, —NHNH2, NO, NO2, OH, Cl, —NHCONH2, —OCOR, NHNO2, substituted tetrazoles, and substituted triazoles; R2 is selected from the group consisting of a tetrazolyl group, CH3, OCH3, —CN, —C2H, NCO, —NHNH2, NO, NO2, OH, Cl, —NHCONH2, —OCOR, NHNO2, substituted tetrazoles, and substituted triazoles; R3 is selected from the group consisting of a tetrazolyl group, CH3, OCH3, —CN, —C2H, NCO, —NHNH2, NO, NO2, OH, Cl, —NHCONH2, —OCOR, NHNO2, substituted tetrazoles, and substituted triazoles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhakar R. Ganta, Cory G. Miller, Graylon K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7993210
    Abstract: One embodiment of a golfing apparatus for assisting a golfer in playing golf includes an belt member adapted to be wrapped around a waist of the golfer. The belt member includes a groove. Further, the golfing apparatus includes an attaching member carried by end portions of the belt member. The attaching member is adapted to secure the belt member to the waist of the golfer. Furthermore, the golfing apparatus includes a guiding member adapted to receive a handle portion of a golf club. The guiding member is slidably engaged in the groove to enable a free movement of the guiding member therein. The free movement of the guiding member in the groove guides a swing of the golf club received in the guiding member, thereby assisting the golfer in playing golf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Luke Hatfield
  • Patent number: 7988186
    Abstract: An airbag (10) for a vehicle occupant restraint system. The airbag includes an airbag body (12) defining an interior (15) of the airbag (10). A series of substantially sinusoidal seams (20) join together portions of the airbag body (12) to partition the airbag interior (15) into a plurality of fluidly communicating chambers (22). It is believed that characteristics of the airbag (10) during inflation and after inflation may be controlled by varying the characteristics of the sinusoidal seams (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery S. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7959749
    Abstract: A gas generating composition of the present invention contains at least one fuel selected from carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, and polymers; at least one perchlorate salt; and/or at least one metal oxide or metal hydroxide. A gas generating system 200 containing a gas generant in accordance with the present invention is also contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Burns, Slaven Domazet
  • Patent number: 7950691
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having an adapter formed integral with the housing to enable operative coupling of the gas generating system to an associated gas-actuatable device. The adapter may include openings formed therein to enable distribution of gases to an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian A. Mayville
  • Patent number: 7934749
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a flexible gas generator (10) is provided which includes a first flexible housing (14) defining an interior, the first housing (14) having an exterior surface. A first flexible, porous covering (15) is positioned in contact with substantially the entire exterior surface of the first housing (14). The first housing (14) and covering (15) are positioned within a second flexible housing (12). The first (14) and second (12) housings may be formed from polymeric or metallic tubing. A second flexible, porous covering (19) may be positioned to cover substantially the entire exterior surface of the second housing (12). The flexible first covering (15) may comprise multiple layers of, for example, a braided or a mesh material. The flexible coverings (15, 19) provide structural support for the housings (12, 14) while cooling and filtering the generated gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean P. Burns
  • Patent number: 7914632
    Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is methoxy carbonyl-5 amino tetrazole. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition, containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound may be contained within a gas generant composition 12, within a gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system 200 such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 180.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhakar R. Ganta, Graylon K. Williams, Cory G. Miller
  • Patent number: 7914040
    Abstract: A gas generating system incorporating a gas flow control mechanism including opposed wall portions defining a cavity for slidably receiving a support member therein. A gas exit passage is exterior of the cavity and in fluid communication with the cavity. An opening in one wall portion enables fluid flow into the cavity. An opening in another wall portion enables a fluid flow from the cavity into the gas exit passage. A seal prevents fluid flow into the cavity when the seal is supported against a force exerted by the fluid. A support member slidably received within the cavity supports the seal against the fluid force. A mechanism is provided for moving the support member from a first position supporting the seal to a second position wherein the seal is unsupported by the support member, enabling failure of the seal and flow of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7891479
    Abstract: A mobile conveyor system includes a conveyor having a portion with a first dimension, the first dimension having a value falling within a predetermined range of values. The system also includes a mobile frame assembly for mounting the conveyor thereon. The frame assembly defines a conveyor mounting bed having a second dimension that is adjustable for receiving therein the portion of the conveyor having the first dimension, for mounting the conveyor to the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: Carl Evangelista, Michael Evangelista, Kimberly K. Kelm, Dennis K. Scheer
  • Patent number: 7879167
    Abstract: A gas generating composition containing a tetrazole amide as a fuel, 5-formamido-1H-tetrazole for example, and an oxidizer is provided. The gas generant is contained within a gas generator. The gas generator may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator or seat belt assembly, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhakar R. Ganta, Graylon K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7857345
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a housing having a passage, a forcing member positioned in the passage, and a flowable material positioned in the passage to resist motion of the forcing member. The flowable material flows out of the housing responsive to a force exerted on the forcing member by a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7845951
    Abstract: One embodiment of an adapter for an electrical plug may include a bottom connector, a top connector and an electrical connection mechanism. The bottom connector may include a plurality of male connectors capable of being inserted in a wall socket. The top connector may be rotatably coupled to the bottom connector. The top connector may be capable of rotating in a plane parallel to a plane of the wall socket. The top connector may include a plurality of female connectors for receiving the electrical plug. The plurality of female connectors may be electrically coupled to the plurality of male connectors, and may be disposed perpendicular to the plurality of male connectors. The electrical connection mechanism may be configured to electrically coupling the plurality of male connectors and the plurality of female connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Ngoon Goon
  • Patent number: 7847102
    Abstract: A novel compound, used for example, as a gas generating fuel, is defined as a compound having the structural formula of R3—R1—R2, wherein R1 is a urea group, R2 is a tetrazolyl group with a C—N bond to the urea group, and R3 may be defined as a non-tetrazolyl, triazolyl, heterocyclic, heterocyclic amine, aliphatic, aliphatic amine, aryl, alkyl, hydrogen, or nitrogen group linked to the free nitrogen on the urea group. A method of making the compound is also provided. A gas generating composition 12 containing the novel compound as a fuel, and an oxidizer is also provided. The novel compound may be contained within a gas generant composition 12, within a gas generator 10. The gas generator 10 may be contained within a gas generating system such as an airbag inflator 10 or seat belt assembly 150, or more broadly within a vehicle occupant protection system 180.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhakar R. Ganta, Graylon K. Williams, Cory G. Miller
  • Patent number: 7832763
    Abstract: A releasable tether retention system is provided. The system includes a housing, a cutting member slidably coupled to the housing, and a tether holder secured to the tether for attaching a tether to the housing. At least a first portion of the tether holder is coupled to the housing along a path of sliding motion of the cutting member so as to enable the cutting member to at least partially sever the tether holder during sliding motion of the cutting member. A vehicle occupant protection system and an airbag module including the releasable tether retention system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holding, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7814838
    Abstract: A gas generating system (10) including a baffle system (42) for modifying the temperature and pressure of a gas generated by the system, and to remove particulates from the gas. The gas generating system includes a first combustion chamber (34a), a second combustion chamber (36a), and the baffle system (42) adjacent both the first and second combustion chambers so as to enable fluid communication with the combustion chambers upon activation of the gas generating system. In another aspect of the present invention, a baffle system (42) is provided including a first end plate (44) having an opening (44b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a first fluid source (34a), a second end plate (46) having an opening (46b) formed therein for enabling fluid communication with a second fluid source (36a), and a sequence of baffle elements (48) extending between the first and second end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems, Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7816313
    Abstract: A photoresist residue remover composition is provided that removes a photoresist residue formed by a resist ashing treatment after dry etching in a step of forming, on a substrate surface, wiring of any metal of aluminum, copper, tungsten, and an alloy having any of these metals as a main component, the composition including one or two or more types of inorganic acid and one or two or more types of inorganic fluorine compound. There is also provided a process for producing a semiconductor circuit element wherein, in a step of forming wiring of any metal of aluminum, copper, tungsten, and an alloy having any of these metals as a main component, the photoresist residue remover composition is used for removing a photoresist residue formed by a resist ashing treatment after dry etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawamoto, Mikie Miyasato, Takuo Oowada, Norio Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7806954
    Abstract: A gas generator 10 contains a baffle assembly for cooling of gases. An imperforate housing 46 is contained within the gas generator 10. A perforate housing 30 is contained within the imperforate housing 46. At least one orifice 70/72 is formed within the baffle assembly, where the orifice 70/72 is formed at the juncture 57 of the baffle assembly 12 and the perforate housing 30, at a second end of the perforate housing 30. Upon activation of the gas generator 10, gases produced are shunted through the orifice 70/72 and into the baffle assembly 12 for cooling and filtration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory Inc.
    Inventor: Eduardo L. Quioc
  • Patent number: 7806436
    Abstract: A gas generating system includes a first enclosure containing a gas, and a second enclosure having a gas generant material contained therein. The second enclosure is operatively coupled to the first enclosure so as to enable fluid communication between the first enclosure and the second enclosure. After activation of the gas generating system, the gas in the first enclosure passes through the second enclosure prior to exiting the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Stevens, Donald B. Patterson, Robert M. Krupp, David M. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7806221
    Abstract: A vehicle protection system 7 contains an airbag system 8 employing a plurality of sets of airbags 118a-118c external to the vehicle 9. Each set 118a-118c contains one or more airbags 118 wherein the plurality of sets 118a-118c are sequentially operated based on initial collision data, and then based on operating parameters such as pressure differentials over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Indu B. Mishra
  • Patent number: 7802812
    Abstract: A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12), a first end closure (22) secured to the housing (12) for hermetically sealing a first end portion of the housing, and a first bore seal (26) formed separately from the first end closure (22) and secured to the first end closure (22) for mounting a first gas generant combustion initiation mechanism (24) therein. The gas generator (10) may include single-stage and/or dual-stage capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian A. Mayville, Christopher T. Sledz