Patents by Inventor Craig M. Hanson

Craig M. Hanson 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).

  • Publication number: 20030006602
    Abstract: A retractable steering column is provided. The retractable steering column has a steering column and an outer tube. The outer tube has a first sealing member, and the steering column has a second sealing member. The steering column is sealed in the outer tube using the first and second sealing members. Thus, the first and second sealing members form a cavity between the steering column and the outer housing. The steering column is rotatable with respect to the outer tube and is slideable with respect to the outer tube from a first position to a second position. A gas generator generates a retraction pressure in the cavity to slide the steering column from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Bryan T. Waid, Craig M. Hanson, Allen R. Starner, James L. Webber, Andrew J. Piper
  • Publication number: 20020140209
    Abstract: An air bag system in a vehicle having opposing upper front interior corners. The system includes at least one air bag assembly located proximate one of the upper front interior corners. The air bag is in fluid communication with a gas expelling inflator and includes a frontal impact portion sized and shaped for deploying along a predetermined deployment path in front of a vehicle occupant. A biasing element of flat pliable character is held in place in hinging relation along an attached edge at an anchoring position inboard of the air bag. The biasing element is unattached at a free end which is extended away from the anchoring position upon deployment of the air bag cushion such that the biasing element is advanced in hinging fashion ahead of the frontal impact portion as the frontal impact portion is deployed in front of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Bryan T. Waid, Craig M. Hanson, Allen Richard Starner, James Lloyd Webber
  • Patent number: 6382660
    Abstract: This present invention provides an air bag assembly for use in a vehicle having a front structural member which preferably comprises an A-pillar of the vehicle. The air bag assembly comprises an inflator for generating gas and an air bag cushion deployable upon generation of gas by the inflator. The air bag cushion is preferably stored along a length of the front structural member while the inflator is preferably located at a position remote from the front structural member. The air bag assembly further includes a gas conduit which provides a gas path for transferring the gas from the inflator to the air bag cushion. The gas conduit comprises an expandable member extending along at least a length of the front structural member which permits the gas conduit to be packaged within the A-pillar structure underneath interior trim molding used to cover the A-pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc., General Motors Corporation, Saab Automobile AB
    Inventors: Allen Richard Starner, Craig M. Hanson, Bryan T Waid, James Lloyd Webber, David Charles Viano, Tomas Agren, Blair E. Carlson