Patents by Inventor Brian J. Putala

Brian J. Putala 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).

  • Patent number: 10981529
    Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle is disclosed. The restraint system includes a seat shaped to accommodate an occupant, wherein the seat includes a seat back and an energy absorption member that expands from a stowed position and into a deployed position. The energy absorption member fills a volume of space behind the seat back when in the deployed position to absorb energy that would otherwise be imparted towards an occupant of the seat during an impact involving the vehicle. The restraint system also includes an impact sensing device generating an impact signal in response to detecting the impact involving the vehicle is imminent. The impact signal indicates an orientation and magnitude of the impact involving the vehicle. The restraint system includes a control module in electronic communication with the energy absorption member and the impact sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason Kim, Anna M. Lusk, Brian J. Putala
  • Publication number: 20200353885
    Abstract: A restraint system for a vehicle is disclosed. The restraint system includes a seat shaped to accommodate an occupant, wherein the seat includes a seat back and an energy absorption member that expands from a stowed position and into a deployed position. The energy absorption member fills a volume of space behind the seat back when in the deployed position to absorb energy that would otherwise be imparted towards an occupant of the seat during an impact involving the vehicle. The restraint system also includes an impact sensing device generating an impact signal in response to detecting the impact involving the vehicle is imminent. The impact signal indicates an orientation and magnitude of the impact involving the vehicle. The restraint system includes a control module in electronic communication with the energy absorption member and the impact sensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Kim, Anna M. Lusk, Brian J. Putala
  • Patent number: 8794671
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column assembly includes a steering column and a lever moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The position of the steering column is adjustable when the lever is in the unlocked position and fixed when the lever is in the locked position. An anti-unlocking device is provided to prevent the lever from moving to the unlocked position from the locked position when a first force is applied to the steering column. The anti-unlocking device prohibits adjustment of the steering column when a first force is applied to the steering column. An example anti-unlocking device may include a member defining a slot, with the lever being at least partially insertable in the slot in the unlocked and locked positions. The member includes a wall defining a ramp surface configured to abut at least one surface of the lever when the first force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dan W. Figlioli, Kristina M Dewilde, Brian J. Putala, Michael P. Phillips
  • Publication number: 20110285115
    Abstract: A side airbag has a top edge mounted on the roof rail and is normally furled along the roof rail and stored within a housing. An inflator inflates the airbag so that the airbag unfurls downwardly from the roof rail and across the window opening. A tether is attached to at least one of the front edge and rear edges of the airbag. A tether tensioner mounted on one of the front pillar and rear pillar closest to the edge of the airbag having the tether. The tensioner has a piston slidable therein with a cylinder piston rod attached to the tether. An actuator slides the piston to tension and retract the tether, and a one-way ratchet mechanism locks the piston. Thus the tether will retain the airbag in its inflated position across the window opening and against the occupant force applied thereagainst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Putala, Kristine E. Lott