Patents by Inventor Arnold J. Herberg
Arnold J. Herberg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10974692Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes electronic switches and sensors that have to be actuated along with engaging the locking tongue in the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Tool, Inc.Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Eric A. Miller, Jr., Michael D. Tinstman, Arnold J. Herberg, Paul DiTullio, Marcus R. Hanna, Thomas Gernetzke, John D. Fiegener, Ryan Thompson, Daniel Bloch
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Patent number: 10246048Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes a button that has to be pushed by a user after the seatbelt is engaged with the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Tool, Inc.Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Arnold J. Herberg, John D. Fiegener, Daniel Bloch, Ryan Thompson, Michael D. Tinstman, Ben Bangser, Thomas Gernetzke, Daniel L. Ha, Matthew P. Cioe
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Publication number: 20190031139Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes electronic switches and sensors that have to be actuated along with engaging the locking tongue in the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Eric A. Miller, JR., Michael D. Tinstman, Arnold J. Herberg, Paul DiTullio, Marcus R. Hanna, Thomas Gernetzke, John D. Fiegener, Ryan Thompson, Daniel Bloch
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Publication number: 20170066404Abstract: A seatbelt system comprising a buckle; a spool with a ratchet wheel and webbing that is windable onto or off of the spool as the spool rotates. A control mechanism is operatively engaged with a pawl located proximate the ratchet wheel. When the control mechanism is in a first condition, the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are rotatable to wind the webbing onto or off of the spool. When the control mechanism is in a second condition, the pawl is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel and the ratchet wheel and spool are only able to rotate the webbing onto the spool. The control mechanism includes a button that has to be pushed by a user after the seatbelt is engaged with the buckle in order to move the pawl into engagement with the ratchet wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: William P. Liteplo, Jason G. Sidman, Arnold J. Herberg, John D. Fiegener, Daniel Bloch, Ryan Thompson, Michael D. Tinstman, Ben Bangser, Thomas Gernetzke, Daniel L. Ha, Matthew P. Cioe
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Patent number: 7464959Abstract: An apparatus (10) for a vehicle includes a steering wheel (12) and a vehicle occupant protection device (14) that is mounted to the steering wheel (12) and is actuatable for helping to protect an occupant of the vehicle. At least a portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) is movable relative to the steering wheel (12) for actuating an electric device (108) associated with the vehicle when a force is applied to any one of various locations on the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (104) for substantially blocking tilt of the movable portion of the vehicle occupant protection device (14) relative to the steering wheel (12) during movement for actuating the electric device (108).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Pillsbury, IV, Arnold J. Herberg, Neil G. Murray, Jr., Evgeny I. Rivin, Victor R. Fey, Ying-Kuo Lee, Jagan Kumar Surendran
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Patent number: 7011341Abstract: A vehicle restraint system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34), first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38), and a buckle assembly (90) for interconnecting the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The vehicle restraint system (30) also comprises first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) for the first and second lap belts (32 and 34), respectively. A linking mechanism (218) connects the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) and is adapted to transfer motion between the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104). As a result, the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) are retracted in unison and by equal amounts during retraction and are withdrawn in unison and by equal amounts during withdrawal from the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104).Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Patent number: 6846015Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) includes a knee bolster (20). An energy absorbing device (80) is interposed between the knee bolster (20) and the vehicle (12). The device (80) includes a field responsive fluid (84) having a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The device (80) also includes at least one passage (134) through which the fluid (84) flows upon movement of the knee bolster (20) relative to the vehicle (12). The device (80) further includes means (150) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (84) to vary the flow rate through the at least one passage (134) and thereby vary the resistance to movement of the knee bolster (20) relative to the vehicle (12).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Alex G. Meduvsky, Matthew C. Frank, Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Patent number: 6837547Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Neal H. Delventhal, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Arnold J. Herberg
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Publication number: 20040262905Abstract: A vehicle restraint system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34), first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38), and a buckle assembly (90) for interconnecting the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The vehicle restraint system (30) also comprises first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) for the first and second lap belts (32 and 34), respectively. A linking mechanism (218) connects the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104) and is adapted to transfer motion between the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104). As a result, the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) are retracted in unison and by equal amounts during retraction and are withdrawn in unison and by equal amounts during withdrawal from the first and second lap belt retractors (46 and 104).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Publication number: 20040251675Abstract: An occupant restraint system (30) includes first and second lap belts (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap of the occupant (18) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) for extending over the shoulders of the occupant (18). A buckle assembly (90) interconnects the lap belts (32 and 34) and the shoulder belts (36 and 38). The occupant restraint system (30) also includes first and second lap belt anchors (42 and 102). At least one pretensioner (130, 140) is connected with the first and second lap belt anchors (42 and 102) and is actuatable to move the first and second lap belt anchors (42 and 102) for tensioning the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) simultaneously and uniformly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Patent number: 6824222Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a lap belt (60) including a first portion (74) and a second portion (85). A retractor (76) includes a spool (96) rotatable about an axis (160). The first and second lap belt portions (74, 85) are secured to the spool (96). The spool (96) is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction to wind the first and second portions (74, 85) onto the spool. The first and second portions (74, 85) when tensioned urge the spool (96) to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to unwind the first and second portions from the spool. A locking mechanism (170) is actuatable to lock the spool (96) against rotation in the second rotational direction. First and second web grabbing devices (180, 182) are actuatable to clamp onto the first and second portions (74, 85) when the locking mechanism (170) is in the locked condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Barry J. Maloney, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Arnold J. Herberg, Alex P. Kotivosky
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Patent number: 6817629Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Alex G. Meduvsky
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Publication number: 20040207246Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device (30) for helping to protect an occupant (18) of a seat (10) of a vehicle (14) includes first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) for collectively extending across a lap portion of the occupant (18). The vehicle occupant protection device (30) also includes first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38) for extending over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the occupant (18). An end release buckle assembly (64) interconnects the first and second lap belt portions (32 and 34) and the first and second shoulder belt portions (36 and 38).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Neal H. Delventhal, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Arnold J. Herberg
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Patent number: 6789820Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflation fluid source (50) for providing inflation fluid (152) for inflating the protection device. The apparatus (10) also includes an opening (170) through which the inflation fluid (152) flows from the inflation fluid source (50). A member (190) is movable to control flow of the inflation fluid (152) through the opening (170). A volume of a field responsive fluid (230) resists movement of the member (190). The field responsive fluid (230) has a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The apparatus (10) further includes means (232) for varying the viscosity of the field responsive fluid (230) to vary the resistance to movement of the member (190).Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Alex G. Meduvsky, Matthew C. Frank, Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Publication number: 20040079575Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (30) comprises first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38). A buckle assembly (90) is provided for interconnecting the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). At least one lap belt retractor (50) is operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) and is electrically actuatable, in response to receiving a first electrical locking signal, for locking the at least one lap belt retractor (50) to prevent withdrawal of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). An occupant actuatable mechanism (160) is operatively connected to the at least one lap belt retractor (50) and is responsive to actuation by the vehicle occupant for providing the first electrical locking signal to the at least one lap belt retractor (50).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2002Publication date: April 29, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Alex G. Meduvsky
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Publication number: 20040046377Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) includes a knee bolster (20). An energy absorbing device (80) is interposed between the knee bolster (20) and the vehicle (12). The device (80) includes a field responsive fluid (84) having a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The device (80) also includes at least one passage (134) through which the fluid (84) flows upon movement of the knee bolster (20) relative to the vehicle (12). The device (80) further includes means (150) for varying the viscosity of the fluid (84) to vary the flow rate through the at least one passage (134) and thereby vary the resistance to movement of the knee bolster (20) relative to the vehicle (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle safety systems Inc.Inventors: Alex G. Meduvsky, Matthew C. Frank, Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Publication number: 20040036345Abstract: A vehicle restraint system (30) for helping to restrain a vehicle occupant (18) in a vehicle seat (10) comprises first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and first and second lap belts (32 and 34). The first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) extend over first and second shoulders, respectively, of the vehicle occupant (18). The first lap belt (32) is for extending across a first lap portion of the vehicle occupant (18) and the second lap belt (34) is for extending across a second lap portion of the vehicle occupant (18). A buckle assembly (90) interconnects the first and second shoulder belts (36 and 38) and the first and second lap belts (32 and 34). The vehicle restraint system (30) also includes at least one electric motor driven retractor (50) operatively connected to the first and second lap belts (32 and 34) for, when operated, retracting portions of the first and second lap belts (32 and 34).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. & TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Arnold J. Herberg, Uwe M. Class, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Publication number: 20040026981Abstract: A seat belt system (10) includes a lap belt (60) including a first portion (74) and a second portion (85). A retractor (76) includes a spool (96) rotatable about an axis (160). The first and second lap belt portions (74, 85) are secured to the spool (96). The spool (96) is biased to rotate in a first rotational direction to wind the first and second portions (74, 85) onto the spool. The first and second portions (74, 85) when tensioned urge the spool (96) to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite said first rotational direction to unwind the first and second portions from the spool. A locking mechanism (170) is actuatable to lock the spool (96) against rotation in the second rotational direction. First and second web grabbing devices (180, 182) are actuatable to clamp onto the first and second portions (74, 85) when the locking mechanism (170) is in the locked condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Barry J. Maloney, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Arnold J. Herberg, Alex P. Kotivosky
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Publication number: 20040000777Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) and an inflation fluid source (50) for providing inflation fluid (152) for inflating the protection device. The apparatus (10) also includes an opening (170) through which the inflation fluid (152) flows from the inflation fluid source (50). A member (190) is movable to control flow of the inflation fluid (152) through the opening (170). A volume of a field responsive fluid (230) resists movement of the member (190). The field responsive fluid (230) has a viscosity that varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The apparatus (10) further includes means (232) for varying the viscosity of the field responsive fluid (230) to vary the resistance to movement of the member (190).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: January 1, 2004Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.Inventors: Alex G. Meduvsky, Matthew C. Frank, Arnold J. Herberg, Joseph J. Zwolinski
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Patent number: 6533315Abstract: A seat belt system (10) comprises a seat belt (15) and a tongue assembly (22). A buckle (26) engageable with the tongue assembly (22) secures the system (10) in a buckled condition in which the belt (15) is divided into a torso portion (28) and a lap portion (29). The system (10) also includes an inflatable device (100) comprising an inflatable portion (98) of the belt (15). An inflation fluid source (40) provides inflation fluid to the inflatable device (100) only when the tongue assembly (22) is engaged with the buckle (26). A cinch mechanism (130) has a cinched condition resisting movement of the belt (15) through the tongue assembly (22). The inflatable device (100), when inflated, causes the cinch mechanism (130) to move to the released condition and causes the torso portion (28) and the lap portion (29) of the belt (15) to be tensioned about the vehicle occupant.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignees: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc., Simula, Inc.Inventors: Louis R. Brown, Arnold J. Herberg, David J. Romeo, Brent K. Olson