Patents Assigned to Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
  • Buckle pretensioner
    Publication number: 20030047931
    Abstract: A buckle pretensioner for a vehicle safety restraint comprising a buckle head (1) for receiving a buckle tongue to secure safety restraint webbing about a vehicle occupant in a three-point belt system, a cable (2) connected to the buckle head (1); and means (7) for rapidly withdrawing the cable in a belt tightening direction, the withdrawing means (7) comprising a force reservoir (8), and driving means (6), and being of a compact construction through the use of step-up gearing (3, 4) to magnify linear movement produced by the force reservoir (8) which may be a pyrotechnic gas generator or a spring. The driving means (8) may be a piston-cylinder (6, 8) or a rack and pinion. The gearing may comprise a pulley arrangement (3, 4). Alternatively a roots motor or a gear pump could be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Rees, Alan George Smithson, David Burke, Andrew John Downie, Carlo Martellini, Richard Harman, David Blackadder
  • 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
  • Radial tube air bag folding apparatus and method
    Publication number: 20030038465
    Abstract: A folding apparatus (100) for inserting an air bag and housing into an interior cavity of a cover, the apparatus comprising: an arcuately shaped tube, the tube sized in cross-section to slidably receive the housing and drawing the air bag up into the tube, the tube including an open first end oriented so that a plane through the first end is substantially parallel to vertical; a ram apparatus movable through the tube and adapted to hold and move the housing and air bag through the tube; a holding apparatus means for orienting the cover so that its internal cavity is in alignment with and adjacent to the first end such that the housing and air bag can be rammed into the cover internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Breed Automotive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian C. Ford
  • Air bag, method of manufacture and system therefor
    Patent number: 6523855
    Abstract: A partitioned air bag (55) comprising an upper (54) and a lower (52) inflatable chamber, the lower chamber upon inflation is positioned to provide a cushioned boundary generally against the lower chest and abdomen of an occupant to be protected, the lower chamber first receiving inflation gas from a source of inflation wherein the inflation gas is sequentially transferred to the upper chamber through one or more ports (162) formed by a separator panel that separates the air bag into the upper and lower chambers. The air bag is inflated by a single stage air bag inflator (26) characterized as having a relatively low fill rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Musiol, Paul R. Weber, Tony B. Popovski, James R. Athon
  • Sled test apparatus and method for simulating pre-impact crash event
    Patent number: 6522998
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for simulating impact conditions which has a test sled 10, simulated occupant (14), and a pre-impact force-generating device. The pre-impact force-generating device can apply force directly to the simulated occupant being (14), thereby overcoming many of the cost problems associated with applying a low and long duration force directly to a test sled (10). The pre-impact force-generating device can be designed such that instead of providing a low and long duration force to a simulated occupant (14), it provides a short and high impact force to the simulated occupant (14). An impact force-generating device provides impact force directly to the sled (10) which simulates impact conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Mazur, Brian K. Blackburn, H. John Miller, III, Scott B. Gentry, Michel P. Rossey, Edward J. Burley, Timothy W. Hill, Kurt W. Schulz
  • Steering wheel assembly featuring the elimination of a contact coil
    Patent number: 6517105
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly including an inflator subassembly, a steering wheel armature, and a cushion subassembly. The inflator subassembly and the cushion subassembly are located on opposite sides of the steering wheel armature. The inflator subassembly comprises an inflator. The inflator subassembly has a lip, which fits into a circular channel on the bottom portion of the steering wheel armature. The cushion subassembly includes an airbag, a retainer, and an airbag cover. Upon detection of a crash from a crash sensor, the inflator begins to generate gas. The gas flows through the inflator subassembly and then is forced to flow through the hub portion of the steering wheel and into the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Ford
  • 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
  • Air bag system with biomechanical gray zones
    Publication number: 20030018421
    Abstract: The implementation of dual-stage inflators in some production vehicles is quickly becoming a common reality. A dual-stage inflator has two firing squibs that can fire independently, simultaneously or in a delayed mode. This tailorability provides the ability to fire a low level, high level or staged delay level depending on the impact velocity or other means. For each restraint condition, the inflator output threshold speeds are identified. A biomechanical gray zone, for each injury assessment reference value, is defined based on occupant performance. The upper and lower bound of each biomechanical gray zone is associated with a type of occupant, inflator output, belt restraint and injury parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Cooper
  • 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
  • Anti-roping latch plate
    Patent number: 6490764
    Abstract: A latch plate for use with a seat belt and seat belt buckle, the latch plate comprising: a metal load-bearing plate including a generally flat tongue engageable with a locking feature of the seat belt buckle, a first portion of the bearing plate, rearward of the tongue, having a first surface, the first surface including a lateral extending rearward edge; the bearing plate, in a second portion thereof, including an integrally formed tab having a laterally extending forward edge, the forward edge of the tab overlaying the rearward edge of the first surface, the tab being spaced a determinable distance from the first surface defining a thin channel or opening therebetween through which the seat belt is received, the distance being sufficiently narrow to lessen the likelihood of the seat belt becoming twisted in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Bell
  • 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
  • Inflator
    Patent number: 6487974
    Abstract: An ignition enhancer and gas heater composition for vehicle occupant restraint systems (commonly known as “airbags”) contains a non-azide fuel, an oxidizer and a metal. The ignition enhancer composition provides reliable and consistent ignition of a main propellant composition to produce a sufficient amount of gas to inflate an attached airbag within ten to eighty milliseconds or successfully heat the stored gas in a hybrid system. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer composition contains 5-aminotetrazole, strontium nitrate, boron nitride, mica or clay and aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: J B Canterberry, Samuel Steven Schlueter, John Herman Adams, Robert Keith Walsh
  • 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
  • Seat belt retractor with integrally formed frame
    Publication number: 20020175242
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (20) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion (24). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Richard A. Boelstler, David R. Arnold, Wendell C. Lane, Susan A. Richards, Markell Seitzman
  • Seat belt buckle and tongue presenter system
    Patent number: 6485058
    Abstract: A system (20) comprising a buckle presenter (100) and/or a tongue presenter (200) and mechanism to activate and control each presenter. The buckle presenter and tongue presenter (200) are used to respectively move a seat belt buckle (26) and a corresponding tongue (24) from a stowed position to activated positions generally in front of the occupant to make the process of inserting the tongue into the buckle more convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer, Mark F. Gray, Markell Seitzman, Mohannad F. Murad, Hossam Almasri, Randal Gosk, Lawrence M. Refior
  • Device for inflating an airbag
    Patent number: 6485052
    Abstract: A device for inflating an airbag has a gas generator. A gas generator housing can be anchored to a vehicle body. An end of an inflation tube is connected to a gas discharge socket fastened to the gas generator housing in an axially aligned and gas-tight manner. The tube end and the gas discharge socket are connected via a covering sleeve that bridges a gas-tight connection between the inflation tube and the gas generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Specht
  • Driver Air bag module horn with improved assembly and functionality characteristics
    Patent number: 6481745
    Abstract: A driver air bag module (22) having a cover (16), a cushion (12), an inflator (10), and a switch assembly (20) is disclosed. The switch assembly (20) is formed by a flat upper housing member (40), which is slideably coupled to a generally flat lower member (42). A pair of electrical contacts (43, 44) is disposed therein and is coupled to the generally flat lower member (42). The switch assembly (20) is coupled to an inflator (10) and incorporated into the air bag cushion (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian C. Ford
  • Mounting bracket for an airbag inflator
    Patent number: D471080
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Joseph Baumbach