Patents by Inventor Brent Parks
Brent Parks 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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Publication number: 20080203716Abstract: A tether release mechanism for a restraining element of a restraint protection system includes a base, a retention device and an actuator. The retention device is coupled to the base for movement between a locked position and a release position. The restraining element is secured relative to the base in the locked position and is movable relative to the base in the release position. The retention device includes a portion for releasably engaging the restraining element. The actuator is operatively associated with the retention device and is operative for at least initiating movement of the retention device from the locked position to the release position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.Inventors: Brent PARKS, David GREEN, Mark ENDERS
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Patent number: 7413049Abstract: Automotive pedestrian protection hood lifting systems are adaptive, resettable, and redeployable. The hood may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring may be biased to selectively vary a load placed upon the hood based on predetermined event signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Antolin ASP, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Schramm, Brent Parks, David J. Green
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Patent number: 7384067Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of safety system that is designed to protect a vehicle occupant during a rollover crash. The safety system will generally include a vehicle seat and a sensor. The sensor is designed to sense the occurrence of a rollover crash. The safety system also includes a support member that has an undeployed mode and a deployed mode. The support member converts from the undeployed mode into the deployed mode when a signal is received from the sensor indicating a rollover. The support member will generally be housed within the vehicle seat when the support member is in the undeployed mode. The support member is also anchored to the floor pan of the vehicle. When the support member is deployed into the deployed mode, the support member is disposed in effective engagement with the vehicle roof to limit movement of the roof toward the vehicle seat during rollover conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Brent A. Parks, Heath Knight-Newbury, David Parkinson
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Publication number: 20080093150Abstract: Automotive pedestrian protection hood lifting systems are adaptive, resettable, and redeployable. The hood may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring may be biased to selectively vary a load placed upon the hood based on predetermined event signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventors: Michael R. Schramm, Brent Parks, David J. Green
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Patent number: 7303040Abstract: A novel active hood system is disclosed. The active hood system is designed such that in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident, the active hood system will soften the impact between the pedestrian and the vehicle by moving the vehicle hood into an elevated position. In some embodiments, the active hood system is constructed such that during a pedestrian/vehicle collision, the active hood system will raise the vehicle hood into an elevated position by having the hood move through a first travel distance and a second travel distance. The active hood system includes an actuator and a hinge. The actuator may be attached to the hinge. The actuator is designed such that if it is deployed, the actuator will raise the hood into the elevated position. Additional embodiments may also be made in which the actuator is vented during deployment. A dampener is also added to the active hood system. The dampener is designed to dampen the movement of the hood as the hood is moved through the second travel distance.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2004Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Autolive ASP, Inc.Inventors: David J. Green, Guy R. Letendre, Brent A. Parks, Michael Schramm, Roman Zlotnikov, Bradley W. Smith, Michael P. Jordan, Michael J. Ravenberg
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Publication number: 20070260164Abstract: A device and method for treating a foot and ankle with a splint and an adjustable bladder. The method includes providing a device including a rigid splint that maintains a heel of the foot and at least one adjustable bladder provided underneath only a front of the foot; adjusting an inflation of the at least one bladder to a treatment inflation state; and maintaining a foot and ankle within the device for an extended period of time such that the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a dorsiflexion position or the foot and ankle are substantially immobilized in a position whereby plantarflexion is provided to the ankle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: DARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Christopher Chiodo, Brent Parks, Lew Schon, Wu Zhang, George Borak
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Publication number: 20070246281Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of hinge devices for use in hood lifting systems for pedestrian protection. An exemplary embodiment of such a hinge device includes an upper hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle hood and a lower hinge portion configured to be connected with a vehicle body. The upper hinge portion may be configured to releasably engage the lower hinge portion such that the upper hinge portion can disengage from the lower hinge portion and lift the vehicle hood upon a threshold separation force being applied to the hinge device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventor: Brent Parks
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Publication number: 20070222198Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a multi-firing combustion actuated device for use in automotive safety. The device comprises a combustion actuator and a re-deployable automotive safety component. The actuator is adapted for directing a force from combustion to the automotive safety component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: David Green, Guy Letendre, Brent Parks
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Publication number: 20070205592Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of safety system that is designed to protect a vehicle occupant during a rollover crash. The safety system will generally include a vehicle seat and a sensor. The sensor is designed to sense the occurrence of a rollover crash. The safety system also includes a support member that has an undeployed mode and a deployed mode. The support member converts from the undeployed mode into the deployed mode when a signal is received from the sensor indicating a rollover. The support member will generally be housed within the vehicle seat when the support member is in the undeployed mode. The support member is also anchored to the floor pan of the vehicle. When the support member is deployed into the deployed mode, the support member is disposed in effective engagement with the vehicle roof to limit movement of the roof toward the vehicle seat during rollover conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2006Publication date: September 6, 2007Inventors: Brent Parks, Heath Knight-Newbury, David Parkinson
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Publication number: 20070161920Abstract: According to a first embodiment of our invention, a monitoring device is placed above, within, or on the bottom of a cast, boot, shoe, or other lower extremity immobilization or protective device, and has one or more single or cluster of pressure sensitive chambers designed to burst at a predetermined force or weight. The pressure sensitive chambers may be filled with air, liquid, semi-liquid, or particulate material. Once properly positioned, the device serves to detect and alert one or more individuals to the fact that weight-bearing has occurred and/or that a certain amount of force has been transmitted across the bottom or other portion of the cast, boot, shoe, mat, sock, insole, or lower extremity immobilization or protective device in a setting where such pressure could be deleterious or harmful (including situations where patients are recovering from a bony fracture, tendon injury, and recent lower extremity surgery).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Inventors: Christopher Chiodo, Brent Parks, Lew Schon, Lynne Chiodo
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Patent number: 7192079Abstract: A pedestrian protection apparatus particularly adapted for motor vehicle front end structures for mitigating injuries of pedestrians struck by the vehicle. The apparatus incorporates a front grill which is moveable between extended and retracted positions. While it is in its extended position, the grill is designed to absorb energy from a pedestrian impact to reduce pedestrian injuries. The position of the grill is controlled by an actuator which responds to control inputs such as vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Michael Schramm, Brent Parks
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Patent number: 7182191Abstract: The motion damper includes a damper wall, damper stages, and a damper head. The damper wall and damper stages are successively smaller in size and have a nested relationship. The damper wall and damper stages are each flexibly attached to an adjacent damper stage or the damper wall such that the damper stages may deploy in a telescopic fashion away from the damper wall. The damper head is attached to a smallest damper stage. As a result, the damper stages change in position relative to the damper wall and relative to each other to absorb the kinetic energy of objects attached to the damper head and damper wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: John Scott, John Macari, Brent Parks
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Publication number: 20060284404Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an airbag tether release mechanism for use with airbag inflation systems. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes an initiator positioned within a housing. The initiator is configured such that it provides an inherent seal to prevent the external release of pyrotechnic residues upon deployment. The device may also include a cutter operatively connected with the initiator such that deployment of the initiator actuates the cutter and a tether restraint structure configured to secure a tether until the tether is released by actuation of the cutter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2005Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: David Green, Michael Jordan, Brent Parks
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Publication number: 20060190088Abstract: An internal human prosthesis used in surgical procedures to treat flatfoot deformities, including pediatric, adult congenital, and adult acquired deformities. The internal prosthesis is inserted between the human talus and calcaneus bones. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthesis has a truncated conical shape along its long axis and a central bore through the center of its long axis. The base of the prosthesis includes a concave depression with a polygonal recess in its center.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventors: Brent Parks, Lew Schon, Christopher Chiodo
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Publication number: 20060178606Abstract: The invention provides in part devices and methods of manufacturing and using the same for treating patients suffering from tendon dysfunction. Certain exemplary brace embodiments contain strapping systems and inflatable cells that are adapted to support the forefoot of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2005Publication date: August 10, 2006Applicant: AIRCAST, LLCInventors: John Logue, Lew Schon, Christopher Chiodo, Brent Parks, David Hargrave, Nick Grippi
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Patent number: 7077428Abstract: An airbag module has an inflator activated via an electrical connector. The inflator includes an initiation assembly having an initiator and a receptacle that retains the connector. The initiator may have a single, center pin. The initiator may be encased by a body and cover, which may be attached together by molding, vibratory welding, electromagnetic welding, or snap fitting. The connector may have projections that extend from a main body to facilitate retention of the connector by a collar, washer, a retainer attached to the body, or by the inflator housing. The body may be seated in a collar having an annular ridge that presses into the body to form a seal. The connector may have a rib designed to mesh with splines of the receptacle to enable engagement of the connector with the receptacle in multiple orientations, while preventing relative rotation between the connector and the initiator after assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Kent Barker, Dario Brisighella, Brent Parks
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Patent number: 7063019Abstract: An assembly including a support housing and an actuator device. The actuator device includes an extendable initiator cup including at least one non-random fold and at least in part defining a storage chamber containing a reactive charge reactable to produce reaction products. The extendable initiator cup longitudinally extends from a first length to a second, greater length upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The extendable initiator cup is at least partially disposed within a longitudinally extending bore of the support housing. The support housing is effective to limit lateral expansion of the extendable initiator cup upon reaction initiation of the reactive charge. The assembly can include an electrical conductive member or an electrical switch. The extendable initiator cup can extend to sever the electrical conductive member or disengage the electrical switch, thereby interrupting the conduction of electricity through an electrical system.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Brent Parks, Bradley W. Smith, Matt Johnson, Michael R. Schramm
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Patent number: 7004778Abstract: An airbag module has an inflator activated via an electrical connector. The inflator includes an initiation assembly having an initiator and a receptacle that retains the connector. The initiator may have a single, center pin. The initiator may be encased by a body and cover, which may be attached together by molding, vibratory welding, electromagnetic welding, or snap fitting. The connector may have projections that extend from a main body to facilitate retention of the connector by a collar, washer, a retainer attached to the body, or by the inflator housing. The body may be seated in a collar having an annular ridge that presses into the body to form a seal. The connector may have a rib designed to mesh with splines of the receptacle to enable engagement of the connector with the receptacle in multiple orientations, while preventing relative rotation between the connector and the initiator after assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Inventors: Kent Barker, Jeff Kida, Dario Brisighella, Brent Parks
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Publication number: 20060032693Abstract: A hood latch release mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type incorporating a hood which pivots at near the front edge of the hood. The hood latch release system enables the hood to be opened in a manner to provide enhanced pedestrian impact protection in the event of an impending pedestrian impact with the hood. The system incorporates a hood latch mechanism which is manually actuatable by the operator to permit access to the vehicle's engine compartment and operates automatically to the response to an impending pedestrian impact. The hood latch release system may be implemented with an active hood lifting actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2004Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Brent Parks, Michael Schramm
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Publication number: 20050257980Abstract: A novel active hood system is disclosed. The active hood system is designed such that in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident, the active hood system will soften the impact between the pedestrian and the vehicle by moving the vehicle hood into an elevated position. In some embodiments, the active hood system is constructed such that during a pedestrian/vehicle collision, the active hood system will raise the vehicle hood into an elevated position by having the hood move through a first travel distance and a second travel distance. The active hood system includes an actuator and a hinge. The actuator may be attached to the hinge. The actuator is designed such that if it is deployed, the actuator will raise the hood into the elevated position. Additional embodiments may also be made in which the actuator is vented during deployment. A dampener is also added to the active hood system. The dampener is designed to dampen the movement of the hood as the hood is moved through the second travel distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2004Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: David Green, Guy Letendre, Brent Parks, Michael Schramm, Roman Zlotnikov, Bradley Smith, Michael Jordan, Michael Ravenberg