Patents Assigned to Bradford Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6770578
    Abstract: A multi-layered woven side air curtain has pre-configured air holding cavities and a polymeric film laminated thereto. An adhesive polyether polyurethane or polyester polyurethane prime coat layer is first coated onto a textile substrate, and then a polymeric film, such as polyamide, polyolefin, or polyurethane is laminated thereto. The textile substrate may be woven of nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fibers. According to an alternative embodiment, a multi-layered composite film product is disclosed that can be used as a film laminate without the need for a prime coat adhesive layer being first applied to the textile substrate. In such a case, the adhesive prime coat is applied to the textile substrate in a single step via the film laminate itself. The side air curtain can be pre-configured or prefabricated to numerous varied designs and shapes prior to coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6753275
    Abstract: A multi-layered woven side air curtain has pre-configured air holding cavities and a polymeric film laminated thereto. An adhesive polyether polyurethane or polyester polyurethane prime coat layer is first coated onto a textile substrate, and then a polymeric film, such as polyamide, polyolefin, or polyurethane is laminated thereto. The textile substrate may be woven of nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fibers. According to an alternative embodiment, a multi-layered composite film product can be used as a film laminate without the need for a prime coat adhesive layer being first applied to the textile substrate. In such a case, the adhesive prime coat is applied to the textile substrate in a single step via the film laminate itself. The side air curtain can be pre-configured or prefabricated to numerous varied designs and shapes prior to coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6740607
    Abstract: The invention is directed to coating a plurality of polyurethane films onto a stretchable knit fabric substrate and heat sealing such substrates together to yield an air curtain or air bag having improved air-holding properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin
  • Patent number: 6734125
    Abstract: A woven textile fabric is disclosed which is formed of synthetic yarns of at least two different deniers to which a solid polymeric film is laminated. An adhesive polymeric coating is provided for adhering the solid polymeric film to the woven textile fabric. The combination of yarns of different deniers provides a superior adhesion surface for the polymeric film. The yarns and the polymeric coating are preselected respectively in deniers and thicknesses so as to render the fabric substantially impermeable to fluid under pressure, while maintaining superb packageability and anti-blocking properties for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems. An air bag incorporating the woven textile fabric of the invention and having two outer surfaces and pre-configured air holding cavities woven therein to which a solid polymeric film is bonded for receiving and containing fluid under pressure for use in a vehicle air restraint system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6734123
    Abstract: The invention is directed to applying a plurality of polyurethane coating layers to a knit, woven or non-woven fabric substrate, following by sealing of two of such coated substrates together by radio frequency sealing, hot air sealing, or ultrasonic sealing to form an improved air-holding restraint system, such as an air curtain or air bag with superior air-holding characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin, Philip R. Rampolla, Leo Lizotte, Ryan Jennings
  • Patent number: 6645565
    Abstract: A coated textile fabric is disclosed for manufacturing an air holding device for a vehicle restraint system, including a base woven, knitted or non-woven base textile fabric having a first surface and a second surface. The base textile fabric is completely or partially coated with an adhesive polyurethane to form a first coating layer, the first coating layer being coated with a second composite coating layer. The second composite coating layer is preferably a polyurethane, a polysiloxane, and an epoxy resin which acts as a filler and adhesion promoter. A third coating layer is formed of a polymeric polyurethane material coated on the second composite layer. A method of producing the coated textile fabric is also disclosed. A heat sealing die for forming sealing beads to seal such coated textile fabrics to form air holding devices is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6641686
    Abstract: The invention is directed to coating a knit, woven, or non-woven textile substrate with adhesive polyurethane layer and then with an elastomeric polysiloxane layer and to then form an air curtain or air bag therefrom with superior air-holding and superior heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin
  • Patent number: 6630220
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an air-holding vehicle restraint system, wherein a textile fabric is coated on at least one side with a thermoplastic polymeric material and folded along its lengthwise direction to form a closed bottom end and two open upper ends, with the coated side of the fabric facing inwardly. The method also comprises folding a portion of each of the upper open ends of the textile fabric so that they turn outwardly to form a coated platform, and laying a sealing tape upon the coated platform. The sealing tape is then secured to the coated platform and sealed to the coated platform. The method further comprises cutting the coated textile fabric along predetermined side edges to form an air-holding vehicle restraint system of desired shape, and sealing the cut side edges of the coated textile fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6458724
    Abstract: The invention is directed to multi-layered textile fabrics having a plurality of polymeric coating layers of polyurethane and/or polysiloxane coated thereon. The coating layers are applied to such multi-layered woven textile fabric substrates having preconfigured air-holding cavities therein to form an improved air-holding vehicle restraint system, such as an air bag or side air curtain with superior air-holding characteristics. In certain instances, the multi-layered textile fabrics are coated on one side only, and in others they may be coated on both sides, i.e., opposed first and second surfaces. The layers of the multi-layered fabric can then be joined by means of heat sealing, RF welding or combinations thereof, for purposes of forming an air bag or side air curtain without the need for sewing or stitching. The coated fabrics facilitate manufacture of air bags, side curtains or the like with both reduced cutting and sealing steps than fabrics of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin
  • Patent number: 6455449
    Abstract: A coated woven textile fabric is disclosed which is formed of synthetic yarns of more than one denier preferably synthetic filamentary yarns of differing deniers. A polymeric coating such as polyurethane is layered on at least one side thereof, but may also be provided on both sides. The combination of yarns of different deniers provides a superior adhesion surface for the polymeric coating. The yarns and the polymeric coating are preselected respectively in deniers and thickness so as to render the fabric substantially impermeable to fluid under pressure, while maintaining superb packageability and antiblocking properties for use in vehicle occupant restraint systems. A flexible lightweight air bag for receiving and containing fluid under pressure for use in a vehicle air restraint system is also disclosed, incorporating the woven textile fabric of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin
  • Patent number: 6350709
    Abstract: A coated textile fabric is disclosed for manufacturing an air holding device for a vehicle restraint system, including a base woven, knitted or non-woven base textile fabric having a first surface and a second surface. The base textile fabric is completely or partially coated with an adhesive polyurethane to form a first coating layer, the first coating layer being coated with a second composite coating layer. The second composite coating layer is preferably a polyurethane, a polysiloxane, and an epoxy resin which acts as a filler and adhesion promoter. A third coating layer is formed of a polymeric polyurethane material coated on the second composite layer. A method of producing the coated textile fabric is also disclosed. A heat sealing die for forming sealing beads to seal such coated textile fabrics to form air holding devices is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel J. Veiga
  • Patent number: 6239046
    Abstract: The invention is directed to coating a knit, woven, or non-woven textile substrate with adhesive polyurethane layer and then with an elastomeric polysiloxane layer and to then form an air curtain or air bag therefrom with superior air-holding and superior heat resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin
  • Patent number: 5622662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sound attenuation composite and a method for making the composite. The sound attenuation composite includes a barrier layer and an open cell foam layer loaded with a sound blocking filler. In one embodiment, the foam layer is filled with a barium sulfate filler. In another embodiment, a solid polyvinyl chloride barrier layer is loaded with barium sulfate, wherein 60 parts of barium sulfate is present in each 100 parts of polyvinyl chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel J. Veiga, Richard J. Satin
  • Patent number: 5312673
    Abstract: A web (14) and associated method for applying lettering to a fabric substrate (12), having a substantially transparent carrier sheet (16) consisting essentially of a plastic film, or layer (18) of pigmented thermoplastic or thermoset material coated on and peelable from the carrier sheet, and an adhesive layer (20) for bonding the pigmented layer to a water repellant substrate such as nylon. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the pigmented thermoplastic material is polyurethane and the adhesive system is a composite layer of a solvent-based urethane adhesive coating (26) on the pigmented layer and a water-based urethane adhesive coating (28) on the solvent-based adhesive coating. The water-based coating preferably includes cross-linking agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Bradford Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Dressler