Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Lonnie Drayer
  • Method of controlling the initiation of a smart igniter
    Patent number: 6622628
    Abstract: A smart igniter bus system has a repeater connected by a bus to a controller, and one or more smart igniters connected by the bus to the repeater so that the repeater is between the smart igniters and the controller. The repeater receives data transmitted on the bus by the controller and processes the signal sent by the controller with onboard logic. Utilizing the onboard logic, the repeaters are preprogrammed to rebroadcast control signals sent by the controller or to only rebroadcast selected signals, or to generate and transmit new command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fisher, James W. Griggs, III, James Sowers, Timothy Ilyes
  • Airbag folding apparatus and method of folding
    Patent number: 6619015
    Abstract: An airbag folding apparatus includes a folding tube, a folder support apparatus, and a plunger mechanism. The folding of an airbag utilizing the folding apparatus comprises the following steps. A vehicle airbag is attached to the plunger mechanism and the airbag is lowered into the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is introduced into the folding tube after the airbag is completely inside the folding tube. The plunger mechanism is forcibly lowered into the folding tube causing the airbag to be compressed or folded. The plunger mechanism remains exterior to the airbag throughout the folding process. The plunger mechanism is then detached and a fold retention sheet is wrapped around the folded airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Arwood, Eric Baumbach
  • Inflator
    Patent number: 6612326
    Abstract: An inflator for inflating an airbag has a vessel for containing compressed gas. The vessel has a gas outlet aperture. A support element is located in the gas outlet aperture with a sealing element next to the side of the support element that faces the interior of the vessel. A locking element is disposed in a locking position between a side of the support element that faces away from the interior of the vessel and a first abutment that is rigid with respect to the vessel. The support element is further supported by a second abutment that is rigid with respect to the vessel. A gas releasing device moves the locking element from the locking position to open the gas outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Florian Sachsenhauser, Thomas Heckmayer, Rudolf Meyer, Joachim Verheugen
  • Seat belt retractor spool
    Patent number: 6609672
    Abstract: A spool for a vehicle safety restraint has a cylindrical central spool member made of two separate pieces. The cylindrical portion has a hollow section along its axis for accommodating seat belt webbing and a torsion bar, with a seat belt webbing entrance slot and a seat belt webbing exit slot. A filler plate is shaped to fit snugly into the entrance slot and to hold the parts of the spool assembly including the torsion bar and the spool against movement thereby holding the spool together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Bell, Andrew Park, Martyn Palliser
  • Ball race for a seat belt pretensioner
    Patent number: 6595694
    Abstract: A ball ring unit, in particular for reverse movement locks and seat belt systems has a plurality of locking balls arranged in a ring. The ring of locking balls has a covering that combines the locking balls to form a module. The ball ring unit can be used in a seat belt pretensioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Schwald
  • Frequency addressable ignitor control device
    Patent number: 6588342
    Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Griggs, III, Scott D. Gagnon, Clinton Boyd, J B Canterberry
  • Device for regulating inflation of an airbag
    Patent number: 6572140
    Abstract: A device for regulating the amount of inflation gas supplied to an airbag of a motor vehicle has a cylindrical member with at least one inflation aperture therethrough. An adjustable annular shutter with at least one shutter aperture is rotatably mounted around the axis of the cylindrical member. The amount of inflation gas which is supplied via the inflation aperture is adjustable through alignment of the shutter aperture with the inflation aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Rudolf Meyer
  • Frequency addressable ignitor control device
    Patent number: 6564715
    Abstract: A frequency addressable ignitor control device utilizes electronic bandpass filters tuned to a unique center frequency and bandwidth for each ignitor. Energy generated by the system's controller comprises one or more narrow pulses whose center frequency corresponds to one or more bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies and sufficient energy for activation. A plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies are connected in parallel in the system. The controller generates electrical pulses of different frequencies transferred to the plurality of bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies via a two wire ignitor bus. Bandpass filter/ignitor assemblies whose filter allows sufficient energy to pass to an ignitor bridge element initiates the ignitor's explosive charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Griggs, III, Scott D. Gagnon, Clinton Boyd, J B Canterberry
  • Three-point seat belt system
    Patent number: 6565121
    Abstract: A three-point seat belt system for a motor vehicle front seat has a belt tightening drive fastened to the front seat. The belt tightening drive engages an anchoring point of the seat belt fastened to the vehicle seat. The drive element of the belt tightening drive is securely connected to a belt webbing part, which derives from the lap belt and is guided through a belt webbing guide fastened to the seat substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Knych, Rudolf Meyer
  • Airbag deployment system with seat position sensors
    Patent number: 6561544
    Abstract: A system for detecting the position of a seat within an automobile in which a selected number of discrete sensors S is used to detect (2xS) seat positions. This is accomplished by using an actuator which, when positioned over three sensors, activates three sensors and when positioned over two sensors, activates both sensors and when positioned over a single sensor, activates only the single sensor. A simple algorithm or logic determines position by the rule that, if a single sensor is activated the seat is positioned over the single sensor, but if two sensors are activated, the seat is positioned between those two sensors, and if none of the sensors is activated, the seat is not positioned over any of those sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ed Clancy, III, Mohannad Murad, Hossam Almasri, Randy Gosk
  • Gas generator
    Patent number: 6553914
    Abstract: A gas generator according has a polymeric closure and an igniter subassembly comprising an igniter and a polymeric gas generator body. The gas generator body and the polymeric closure define a hermetically sealed combustion chamber for receiving a gas generant. The igniter receives an electrical current and ignites the gas generant. The generated gas can be used in vehicle occupant safety devices including seat belt pretensioners, airbags, compressed gas vessel openers, and other devices requiring a rapid pulse of high-pressure gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Otis Hosey, Keith Hing Lam, J B Canterberry
  • Device for testing internal pressure of a gas reservoir of an airbag inflator
    Patent number: 6550335
    Abstract: A device for testing the inflation state of an cold gas inflator for an airbag has a gas reservoir that is filled with gas at a high pressure, in particular an inert gas. Oscillations of frequencies varying within a particular frequency range are generated at an exterior surface the filled gas reservoir by an oscillation transmitter and the resonance frequency is measured using an oscillation sensor. A comparator compares the measured resonance frequency with a resonance frequency that was determined at the gas reservoir filled with the volume of gas. The oscillation transmitter and the oscillation sensor are integrated in a unit such that the generation and frequency measuring of the oscillations are carried out at locations on the exterior surface of the gas reservoir that are distanced from one another with respect to a longitudinal axis of the gas reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Weber, Stefan Wiesbaum
  • Airbag having back parts with a larger surface than the front part
    Patent number: 6530593
    Abstract: An airbag has a front part facing a vehicle occupant and from two back parts facing away from the vehicle occupant. The two back parts have a larger surface than the front part. The back parts each have a first portion which is dimensioned in such a way that the two first portions of the back parts jointly correspond to the front part in terms of shape and size. The two back parts are connected along the free edges of their first portions to the front part along the outer circumference of the latter. The back parts have second portions that extend essentially transversely to the front part and are connected to one another along their outer edges. The connection of the second portions of the back parts is interrupted at least in one portion to form a gas inlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hubert Ross, Frank Saeuberlich
  • Device for tightening a rear seat belt
    Patent number: 6527299
    Abstract: A device for tightening a three-point seat belt is located in the rear of a vehicle. A linear belt tightener is located in the region of the vehicle door sill aligned essentially parallel to the vehicle door sill. The linear belt tightener acts via a pulling element on the belt webbing of a seat belt. The belt webbing is guided through a belt guide anchored to the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Andreas Knych
  • Device for releasing gas from a vessel
    Patent number: 6516726
    Abstract: A device for releasing gas from a vessel drives a piston with a propellant charge that can be ignited by an ignition device. A housing accommodates the piston, the propellant charge and the ignition device. The housing is formed from at least two housing half shells made of plastic material and a load-absorbing sleeve enclosing the housing half shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Specht
  • Seat belt guide
    Patent number: 6502861
    Abstract: A seat belt guide has a metallic body for mounting on a vehicle structure. A flexing bar has a low-friction belt webbing guide face around which webbing of a seat belt is guided. The flexing bar and two flexing bar carriers define a webbing guide aperture. A belt webbing guide face is formed by a sliding shell that is clipped on with an interlocking fit in the region of the flexing bar and the flexing bar carriers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Specht
  • Airbag module
    Patent number: 6494483
    Abstract: An airbag module has an airbag and a gas generator. A supporting element is arranged between the gas generator and the airbag in the direction of deployment of the airbag such that, when folded, a portion of the airbag which is at the front in the direction of deployment rests essentially flat against a front surface of the supporting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Floersheimer, Stefan Jost
  • Smart igniter communications repeater
    Patent number: 6490976
    Abstract: A smart igniter bus system has a repeater connected by a bus to a controller, and one or more smart igniters connected by the bus to the repeater so that the repeater is between the smart igniters and the controller. The repeater receives data transmitted on the bus by the controller and processes the signal sent by the controller with onboard logic. Utilizing the onboard logic, the repeaters are preprogrammed to rebroadcast control signals sent by the controller or to only rebroadcast selected signals, or to generate and transmit new command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fisher, James W. Griggs, III, James Sowers, Timothy Ilyes
  • Turbine flow monitoring device
    Patent number: 6487919
    Abstract: A turbine type flow meter has a four-vaned plastic torpedo-shaped turbine mounted by portions of the plastic turbine within a housing between first and second bearings. The turbine supports a pair of magnets of the Neodymium-Iron-Boron type which rotate with the turbine. An upstream portion of the housing incorporates a sensor cavity, which is sealed from a flow cavity containing the turbine. A connector and an attached printed circuit board with a Hall effect sensor is mounted within the sensor cavity closely spaced from the rotating magnets. The sensor housing is constructed from two parts. Each part of the housing incorporates mating structures that are designed for joining by spin welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul K. Edwards
  • Rear view mirror cover
    Patent number: D472860
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paolo Vian