Patents by Inventor Charles F. Steffens, Jr.

Charles F. Steffens, Jr. 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).

  • Apparatus for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle
    Patent number: 5533752
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for restraining movement of an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable air bag (16). When the air bag (16) is inflated to a predetermined pressure, a vent valve assembly (26) opens and vents fluid from the air bag. The vent valve assembly (26) connects the air bag (16) with a support structure. In one embodiment, the vent valve assembly connects the air bag with a door (14) of a vehicle. The vent valve assembly includes a base (46) which extends through an opening (34) in the air bag (16) and through an opening (36) in an inner panel (32) of the vehicle door (14). The base (46) clamps the air bag against the inner panel (32) of the vehicle door (14). The vent valve assembly (26) includes a metal valve element (50) which is plastically deformed by fluid pressure in the air bag (16) to enable fluid to flow from the air bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Louis R. Brown, Charles F. Steffens, Jr.