Patents by Inventor Chuck Thomas

Chuck Thomas 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).

  • Variable load limiting device for seatbelt retractor to reduce occupant injury
    Patent number: 7828331
    Abstract: A variable load limiting device for a vehicle safety belt assembly is provided for controllably restraining a vehicle occupant by the vehicle safety belt assembly during deceleration of a vehicle. The device includes a body including a fluid chamber for containing a free-flowing fluid therein. A wiper assembly is operably disposed in the fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly. The wiper assembly creates a pressure differential within the fluid chamber when a force in excess of a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle safety belt assembly. A throttle valve is operably connected to the body for controlling fluid pressure in the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Jessup, Chuck Thomas
  • VARIABLE LOAD LIMITING DEVICE FOR SEATBELT RETRACTOR TO REDUCE OCCUPANT INJURY
    Publication number: 20100007125
    Abstract: A variable load limiting device for a vehicle safety belt assembly is provided for controllably restraining a vehicle occupant by the vehicle safety belt assembly during deceleration of a vehicle. The device includes a body including a fluid chamber for containing a free-flowing fluid therein. A wiper assembly is operably disposed in the fluid chamber and selectively coupled to the vehicle safety belt assembly. The wiper assembly creates a pressure differential within the fluid chamber when a force in excess of a predetermined value is applied to the vehicle safety belt assembly. A throttle valve is operably connected to the body for controlling fluid pressure in the fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew D. Jessup, Chuck Thomas