Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Markell Seitzman
  • Sliding piston pressure sensing device
    Patent number: 5659295
    Abstract: A pressure indicating device (30) for providing an indication of the pressure that existed within a fluid filled pressure vessel (22) just prior to depressurization of the pressure vessel. The device comprises: a housing (102); a piston (130) for temporarily sealing an open end of the housing and outwardly movable in response to a pressure differential not less than a predetermined level generated subsequent to the depressurization of the pressure vessel; and a sheer disk (150) including a first part (160) attached to an end of the piston and a second part (162) attached to an end of the housing (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Bendix-Atlantic Inflator Company
    Inventors: Donald Renfroe, Steven L. Ludeke, James Rose, David A. Bilbrey
  • Gimbaled web guide for a seat-integrated-belt restraint system
    Patent number: 5658051
    Abstract: An occupant safety apparatus comprising: a gimbaled web guide (80, 80') having a first member (90, 130) defining a belt exit slit (92) and a gimbaled support structure (94, 96, 100, 102, 130) for permitting the first member to rotate about at least two generally perpendicular axes. This support structure also permits the first member to rotate about a third axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Vega, Herbert R. Jung
  • Lifting reel assembly web clamping retractor
    Patent number: 5647553
    Abstract: A web clamping retractor comprising: a stationary frame (12) and a reel assembly (14), the reel assembly includes a mounting member (22) that is slidingly mounted to the frame via a U-shaped needle member (150). An upper leg (154) of the U-shaped needle member functions as an activation bar to move a clamping wedge (49a) into clamping engagement about a seat belt (19) after a spool or reel member has been pre-blocked. The lower leg (18) of the U-shaped needle member serves as a shaft about which the reel rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan George Smithson, Brian Edward Aiston, Joseph Patrick Harte, Kenneth Williamson
  • Locking and tensioning for a slidable seat
    Patent number: 5642916
    Abstract: A safety system comprising: an occupant seat (10) having a seating portion (12) and bracket device (28, 30) for slidably supporting the seat portion such that the seat is permitted to freely move in a fore and an aft direction in response to forces imparted thereto; and a restraint device (50,54), for tensioning a flexible member (42) operated attached to the seat and for restraining the seat during an emergency from moving forward from a pre-emergency position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Mark C. Woydick
  • Multiple level load limiter for primary and secondary collisions
    Patent number: 5626306
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relative to the spool including a lock wheel (71) having a plurality of lock teeth associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (77) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90) located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt after the input force exceeds the threshold level to permit a controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled pay-out of the seat belt from the spool during a first and subsequent accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Miller, III, Niels Dybro
  • Retractor having a single sided energy absorbing spool
    Patent number: 5613647
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relatively to the spool including a lock wheel (71) having a plurality of lock teeth associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (77) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90)located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt after the input force exceeds the threshold level to permit a controlled rotation of the spool and the controlled pay out of the seat belt from the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Harold J. Miller, III
  • Seat belt retractor with auxiliary shaft load limiting
    Patent number: 5611498
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor comprising seat belt webbing; a spool for storing webbing thereon, the spool rotationally mounted on a frame; a rewind spring for rewinding or retracting the webbing; at least one drive gear having gear teeth mounted for rotation with the spool; an auxiliary shaft rotationally mounted on the frame including a least one driven gear thereon in meshing engagement with the at least one drive gear; a ratchet nut mounted to rotate with and slide along the auxiliary shaft; a first lock bar for preventing the rotation of the ratchet nut while permitting the nut to slide relative to the auxiliary shaft; a first energy absorbing bushing mounted about the auxiliary shaft and in selective contact with the ratchet nut for generating when deformed by the ratchet nut a relatively constant reaction force on the spool to oppose any protraction of the webbing during an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Miller, III, Niels Dybro
  • Active tension reducer for the seat belt of a safety restraint system
    Patent number: 5611497
    Abstract: An active tension remover for the seat belt of a safety restraint system having a housing attached to the seat belt retractor of the safety restraint system. A spring cap is rotatably supported in the housing and encloses a coil spring having one end attached to spring cap and the other end attached to spool of the retractor on which the seat belt is wound. A bi-directional motor disposed in the housing is operative to rotate the spring cap relative to the housing. A logic control responsive to the buckling the seat belt about the occupant of the seat actuates the motor to unwind the seat belt spool a predetermined number of turns to reduce the tension exerted by the seat belt in the shoulder of the occupant and to rewind the seat belt spool to its initial position in response to the unbuckling of the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Dagoberto Krambeck, Monte G. Watson
  • Safety restraint system having a variable angle web guide opening
    Patent number: 5611604
    Abstract: A safety restraint system in which the retractor for the shoulder webbing is pivotably mounted to a structural member associated with the back of the seat. The retractor is pivotable about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The retractor has a shaft normal to the spool of the retractor and is pivotably locked in a sleeve of a mounting bracket attached to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy V. Thomas, Philip H. Goniea
  • Adjustable three-point restraint seat belt system for children and adults
    Patent number: 5609367
    Abstract: A seat belt restraint system for use by a child and an adult comprising: a three-point seat belt restraint system (20) having an additional web guide (50) to lower one of the restraint points to permit a shoulder belt to extend across the upper torso of a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Eusebi, Raymond Vivacqua
  • Retractor with adjustable load limiting levels
    Patent number: 5607118
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor comprising: a frame (22); a spool (24) rotatably mounted relative to the spool including a lock wheel (212) having a plurality of lock teeth (214) associated therewith and adapted to receive a seat belt thereabout; a lock pawl (224) for engaging the spool upon sensing a one of a vehicle deceleration and seat belt extraction above certain determinable levels; and movable nut (90)located in the spool and for prohibiting relative movement between the lock wheel and spool below a threshold input force level generated in part by occupant load on the seat belt and for generating in cooperation with a deformable bushing (100) having known deformation characteristics, the characteristics of which are controlled by a movable sleeve (242) moved about the bushing, to generate a controlled energy dissipating reaction force on the seat belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Harold J. Miller, III
  • Seat belt web guide
    Patent number: 5601311
    Abstract: A web guide (20) having a load absorbing core (30), a hinge and an integral cover (170). The core is covered by a synthetic resin that also forms the integral cover and hinge. The cover is locked into place by tabs integrally formed by the coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Pfeiffer, Philip H. Goniea, Stephan F. Vetter
  • Dual pressure side impact air bag
    Patent number: 5586782
    Abstract: An air bag for protecting the side and head of an occupant during a side impact collision including: a first side panel (42a) joined to a second panel (42b) and having a neck portion (52) for receipt of inflation gas for a cooperating inflator (30). The air bag characterized in that its upper portion is pressurized to a greater level than a lower portion. A corresponding upper portion of each panel may be coated or alternatively the air bag may include a separator (46) or seam (46,66) to divert a predetermined amount of inflation gas into one of the other chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmerman, II, John C. Hofer, Douglas E. Medvedik, Eric D. Veggian, Michael J. Lachat
  • Extruded manifold with plastic housing
    Patent number: 5582423
    Abstract: An airbag module assembly includes an airbag, deployment housing, manifold, and inflator. The airbag has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough adjacent the airbag opening. The apertures of the airbag cooperate with tabs on the airbag deployment housing to secure the bag to the housing. The tabs of the airbag deployment housing snap into position between a pair of ears extending from the manifold. The ears are swaged and the manifold chamfered in order to hold the airbag deployment housing in position laterally along the manifold. Accordingly, for assembly, the airbag apertures are mated with the respective airbag deployment housing tabs, and the airbag deployment housing is snapped into position between the ears of the manifold. Alternatively, the ears are spaced sufficiently apart to allow the housing tabs to be placed therebetween, and the ears are then crimped, staked or swaged over the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Rion, Darin J. Turner
  • Seat belt retractor and improved sensing mechanism
    Patent number: 5568941
    Abstract: A vehicle inertia or deceleration sensing device of a seat belt retractor comprising: an outer housing member including a first housing part for supporting an inner housing member at a predetermined relative angle, and a support member for holding the first housing part at another angle, such angles corresponding to mounting angles of a frame of the retractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Woydick, William L. Palmer
  • Snap-on, removable steering wheel with integral airbag housing
    Patent number: 5553888
    Abstract: A snap-on steering wheel assembly (10) is provided with an integral air bag housing (38) for supporting an air bag (50) therein. The assembly includes a steering wheel having a hub. An inflator (100) is threadably connected to an insert member (60) and longitudinally extends from the hub or insert member. A collar (80) mounted relative the insert provides a snap-fit engagement to a steering column (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Darin J. Turner, Daniel G. Zelenak, John A. Musiol
  • Seat belt retractor with integrated load limiter
    Patent number: 5547143
    Abstract: A load absorbing retractor comprising: a rotating spool or reel, seat belt webbing secured to the reel; at least one movable bushing, responsive to loads generated during an emergency situation, for deforming a portion of the reel and in so doing dissipating a determinable amount of the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Miller, III, Niels Dybro
  • Side impact soft pack air bag module
    Patent number: 5547214
    Abstract: A side impact occupant system including the combination of: a vehicle seat (16) having a cushioned resilient portion (18) in a seat back (14) thereof, an air bag module (10) comprising a compliant air bag retained to a channel by a soft, resilient exterior package shell (70) directly adjacent to and facing an interior part of the resilient cushioned portion of the seat, wherein the resiliency of the cushioned seat portion is not markedly changed by the adjacent resilient shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmerman, II, John C. Hofer
  • Wire track with integral sealing mechanism and inflator
    Patent number: 5542701
    Abstract: A manifold (10) for holding a generally cylindrically shaped gas generator (12), the gas generator including inflation ports (84a, b) through which inflation gas exits to inflate an air bag. A wire track/seal assembly (200) is fitted between the gas generator and manifold to route and protect wires extending from the gas generator. The wire track/seal assembly is received in notches formed in ends of the gas generator and includes an integrally formed seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Rion
  • Seat belt retractor with energy absorbing lock wheels
    Patent number: 5533756
    Abstract: A safety restraint system comprising: a safety belt system for restraining an occupant comprising: a safety belt; a retractor for protracting and retracting the safety belt, a shoulder belt support for supporting the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt; a pretensioner for providing, subsequent to activation, a preload tensile force in the shoulder belt portion in excess of a first low limit value of about 50 pounds; a load limiter for limiting the loads imparted by the shoulder belt portion to an occupant, operative after the preload acts on the shoulder belt portion, including first means for introducing a predetermined amount of slack in the shoulder belt when the belt tension is above a second low limit value and for preventing such slack introduction when belt tension is lower than such second low limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Niels Dybro, Harold J. Miller, III