Patents Examined by Kenneth R. Rice
  • Patent number: 6343811
    Abstract: A rollover cushion and system for a motor vehicle is fabricated from a lightweight, low denier material having its inside surface coated with a gas retention material. A gas generator responsive to a sensor generates an inflation fluid that fills the sealed curtain causing the curtain to deploy over the side windows of the vehicle. In this position, the head and upper torso of an occupant are protected from striking or going through an open window during a rollover or side impact collision. Several styles of tethers are used to maintain the desired shape of the cushion. A manifold system directs the flow of the inflation fluid from the gas generator to the gas inlets in each individual cylindrical tube of the curtain. The cushion is folded either in a “Z” fold or in a tuck fold and at one end fastened to the structure of the vehicle and at the other end extending in a direction down the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: David R. Hammer, Deborah Lee Kalisz
  • Patent number: 6341797
    Abstract: A housing (3) has a cylindrical side face portion (8) formed with an extrusion-molded product. Inside the housing (3) an air bag (1) and an inflator (4) are accommodated. The housing (3) is fixed to a portion of a seat back frame (20) of a seat positioned at a vehicle transverse outer side portion. A splitting-opening portion (12) structured with both end portions (13, 14) of the housing (3) engageable with each other is provided at a side face portion (8) of the housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kasumi Seo
  • Patent number: 6338495
    Abstract: A rear wheel suspension system for vehicles includes a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel. The wheel carrier has upper, lower, front and rear ends. An upper control arm is provided to connect the upper end of the wheel carrier to a vehicle body, while a lower control arm is provided to connect the lower end of the wheel carrier to a vehicle body. The lower control arm includes front and rear control links, and a trailing arm is disposed in a longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle body and connecting the front end of the wheel carrier to the vehicle body. When the wheel is aligned such that a toe angle of the wheel becomes “0”, the front control link and the trailing arm are aligned such that a longitudinal axis of the front control link of the lower control arm intersects a longitudinal axis of the trailing arm at a wheel center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Un-koo Lee, Hyun-ju Bae
  • Patent number: 6332506
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a motor 1 which produces an auxiliary steering force in accordance with, for example, a steering torque detected by a torque sensor 7; a motor drive circuit 2 which controllably drives the motor 1; a power supply voltage detecting circuit 17 which detects the power supply voltage VB of the motor drive circuit 2; and a microcomputer 9. The microcomputer 9 detects terminal voltages VM+ and VM− of the motor 1 when the power supply voltage detecting circuit 17 determines that the power supply voltage AB is higher than a predetermined value. Then, the microcomputer 9 makes a decision to determine whether the detected terminal voltages VM+ and VM− are not predetermined values VTHH and VTHL, respectively. If it is determined that the terminal voltages VM+ and VM− are not the predetermined values VTHH and VTHL, respectively, then the microcomputer 9 determines that a fault has occurred on the lines connected to the motor 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Kifuku
  • Patent number: 6330545
    Abstract: The activity information accounting system stores an account title table corresponding to activity information, and performs accounting procedures on the basis of an input activity information and an account title corresponding to the input activity information. The accounting system displays activity types including purchase and acquisition activity, sales and revenue activity, expenditure activity, investment and finance activity, and production activity. If user selects one of the displayed activity types, the accounting system displays a screen for the user to input activity information for the selected activity type. The accounting system determines if the input activity information is internal activity or external activity, performs accounting procedures on the basis of determined result and the account title table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Eastern Consulting Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-Kyo Suh
  • Patent number: 6325407
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for attaching a cover to a housing member of an airbag module assembly, wherein an inflatable airbag cushion is stored. The housing member includes a plurality of mounting projections, each of the mounting projections having an inward directed free end. The cover includes a plurality of mounting openings each receiving an associated one of the mounting projections with the free end of each of the mounting projections extending in a direction away from the stored inflatable airbag cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Quin Soderquist
  • Patent number: 6325411
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for suspending an airbag module with respect to a steering wheel in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a steering wheel console mounted on the steering wheel, an elastic attenuating body mounted on both the airbag module and the steering wheel console for attenuating vibration therebetween, and an anchor extending through an aperture in the steering wheel console at an angle and rigidly mounted with respect to the airbag module, so that the anchor guides the airbag module in a predetermined direction during inflation of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Rigner, Tore Fosse
  • Patent number: 6327576
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods by which information concerning the shelf-life limitations of a particular product item is made available to the purchaser electronically; that the electronically recorded shelf-life limitation information is provided to, or made accessible by, the purchaser; that the electronically recorded shelf-life limitation information is communicated to a computer equipped with a microprocessor, or to a computer system network, accessible by the purchaser, programmed to receive the shelf-life limitation data for each product for that purchaser; that the computer or purchaser-accessible computer system network, is further programmed to provide the purchaser with on-screen and/or printed reports of various formats that list the items purchased and the corresponding shelf-life limitation information; and that the computer or purchaser-accessible computer system network provides interactivity with the purchaser to allow the purchaser to identify further informat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Nobuo Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 6322093
    Abstract: An assembly for coupling a truck tractor to a semi-trailer. The assembly comprises an upper coupling plate, an intermediate plate, and a back plate. The upper coupling plate has an opening for receiving the kingpin. The intermediate plate is positioned on an upper surface of the upper coupling plate and has a portal for receiving a portion of the kingpin. The back plate is positioned adjacent the intermediate plate. A double shear attachment means joins the upper coupling plate, the intermediate plate, and the back plate are along a first shear plane and a second shear plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Direct Dimensions Inc.
    Inventors: Leonidas C. Athans, George C. Athans
  • Patent number: 6322091
    Abstract: A pin retractor operator is provided for use on a trailer having a movable bogie secured to the trailer frame with pins which are retractable by pulling on a handle of a pin retractor. The pin retractor operator includes a case for engaging the bogie, a handle engager coupled to a spring both of which are within the case. A tensioner extends through the case and is coupled to the spring so that linear movement of the tensioner stores energy within the spring when the handle of the pin retractor is received in the handle engager. A regulator coupled to the case controls movement of the tensioner. Tension stored in the spring pulls on the handle of the pin retractor while urging the case against the bogie allowing the trailer to be moved relative to the bogie with the pin retractor operator attached to the bogie. Components of the tensioner are adapted to serve as a positioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph W. Lindley
  • Patent number: 6318753
    Abstract: A safety device in a motor vehicle, the device comprising an inflatable element adapted to be disposed between an occupant of the vehicle and the side of the vehicle when inflated to afford protection in the event of a side impact or a roll-over, means for inflating the inflatable element and means for sensing a side impact or a roll-over and for activating the inflating means, the inflatable element being formed from two layers of fabric which define a front part and a rear part of the inflatable element, selected regions of the two layers of fabric being interconnected by means of straps disposed internally within the inflatable element, the inflatable element having an edge portion secured to part of the door frame of the vehicle, the said part of the door frame being non-linear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Jan-Huibert Valkenburg
  • Patent number: 6302437
    Abstract: A unique glove box and restraint system including a reaction bracket is provided. The glove box assembly includes a reaction bracket that is attached to a hinge mechanism. The reaction bracket carries a storage bin, a latch, a trim plate, a tether, and a gas source. The gas source is held in an operative relationship with an inflatable air bag. The inflatable air bag is coupled to the trim plate. The trim plate includes an outer panel and an inner attachment plate. The inner attachment plate is selectively coupled to the reaction bracket by a mechanism that disengages when it experiences an outward force greater than a predetermined amount. The latch is connected to the reaction bracket at the end opposing the hinge. During conditions of rapid deceleration, the gas source produces gas to inflate the air bag if electrical current is sent to trigger the gas source by the vehicle crash sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon S Marriott, William F Diss
  • Patent number: 6299204
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle restraint system which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a mouth (looped pocket) for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: Ramesh Keshavaraj
  • Patent number: 6299205
    Abstract: A vehicle restraint system is provided which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a looped pocket for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: Ramesh Keshavaraj
  • Patent number: 6299203
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air bag arrangement in vehicle, having a gas bag which, as the result of a triggering by a sensor, can be inflated with gas by a gas generator and, during the inflating, can be advanced into an interior of the vehicle, the gas generator having at least two driving stages with propellant charges which can be ignited in a time-related succession and of which the first propellant charge is ignited by a triggering by a sensor and the second propellant charge being ignited facultatively when the gas bag moves beyond a defined advancing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: INOVA GmbH Technische Entwicklungen
    Inventor: Olaf Müller
  • Patent number: 6301564
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for mass producing a unique dining experience for each individual diner within a group of patrons includes computers, applications software, models and databases. Through various alternative input mechanisms, each individual patron's preferences will be surveyed, and the results of the surveys are stored within the database. Staff and management of an establishment are also surveyed regarding various personal and facilities capabilities and assets. The preference surveys may be quite basic in nature, but with more detailed surveys a more elaborate model may be generated. Based upon the preference survey results, a dining event is developed that groups patrons according to areas of agreement among surveys, while simultaneously tailoring unique events or decor based upon the preference survey results that are not common among the patrons. The dining event is prepared for, including training of staff and management, and the dining event is then staged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Helena B. Halverson
  • Patent number: 6299206
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle restraint system which comprises an airbag into which an inflator can assembly may be placed. The inventive airbag preferably comprises two body panels, attached by one substantially straight seam, and a separator panel which, upon folding and attaching of the two body panel sections of the airbag produces a mouth (looped pocket) for holding of the above-mentioned inflator can assembly. Such an article allows for quick and complete inflation upon release of propellant and facilitates packing in a standard restraint system enclosure. The invention thus encompasses both the restraint system and the airbag itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: Ramesh Keshavaraj
  • Patent number: RE37466
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint device control system for use in a vehicle to selectively control the operation of safety devices such as one or more airbags includes a seat position sensor device which detects the position of a seat relative to a selected component of the vehicle, and a controller which receives signals from the seat position sensor device. A controller device processes the signals from the seat position sensor device and determines whether to activate, deactivate or modify the deployment of one or more vehicle occupant restraint devices, such as airbags or seat belt pretensioners, depending upon the position of the vehicle seat relative to a selected component of the vehicle structure, such as the steering wheel or instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Allen, Said Shafik Nakhla, Harald Snorre Husby, Michael P. Murray, Craig Robert Roble
  • Patent number: RE37492
    Abstract: A trailer support wheel assembly having a wishbone frame pivotally connected to the trailer frame at two rear mounting points and adjustably connected to the trailer frame at a single forward point. A resilient suspension assembly and spindle is contained by the wishbone frame assembly, and the spindle is further connected to one or more wheels which may be lowered into contact with the ground. The wishbone frame assembly may be adjustably positioned to permit the wheels to carry a greater or lesser load portion of the trailer as it is connected to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Inventor: William A. Shoquist
  • Patent number: RE37540
    Abstract: An instrument panel has an integral door cover for concealing a supplemental inflatable restraint system in a vehicle passenger compartment. The door cover includes a flap that is an integral part of a flexible plastic skin of the instrument panel. The plastic skin is cast in a special mold with a raised apexed rib that forms grooves outlining the flap that have a thin tear seam at their bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Iannazzi, Thomas G. Parker