Patents by Inventor David F. Sutter

David F. Sutter 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).

  • Air bag module with occupant engaging flap
    Patent number: 6877772
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant (36) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) having a stored, deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the occupant. An inflator (46) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (44). The apparatus (10) also includes a flap (80) made of fabric material. The flap (80) is stored with the protection device (44). The flap (80) is deployed by inflation of the protection device (44) into a position engaging and covering a head (38) of the vehicle occupant for guiding deployment of the protection device (44) over the head of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, John G. Bauer, David F. Sutter
  • Air bag module with occupant engaging flap
    Publication number: 20030122356
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant (36) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (44) having a stored, deflated condition and an inflated condition for helping to protect the occupant. An inflator (46) provides inflation fluid to inflate the protection device (44). The apparatus (10) also includes a flap (80) made of fabric material. The flap (80) is stored with the protection device (44). The flap (80) is deployed by inflation of the protection device (44) into a position engaging and covering a head (38) of the vehicle occupant for guiding deployment of the protection device (44) over the head of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt F. Fischer, John G. Bauer, David F. Sutter